Partnership between Southern University and the Louisiana Workforce Commission for teacher apprenticeship program
By Sheyla Fairley
Southern University and A&M College, Baton Rouge, LA, has partnered with the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) for its Registered Apprenticeship Teachers program in an effort to bring more teachers into Louisiana.
As stated in a release, the program offers “LWC the chance to address challenges like retention and recruitment.” The program will be three years with an “On-the-Job Learning attainment of 10 competencies and a minimum of 1,800 hours of technical instruction.”
“We are honored that the Louisiana Workforce Commission has selected Southern as the first university in the state to participate in the Registered Apprenticeship program,” said Dennis J. Shields, president-chancellor of Southern University. “We have a rich history, present, and future of dynamic educators that serve in our communities. This program and partnership will allow us to address the needs of our state and to continue our mission to prepare students to reach their highest potentials without barriers.”
Howard University’s Undergraduate Library to be renamed after retiring university president
By Sheyla Fairley
The Howard University, Washington, DC, Board of Trustees has approved of renaming The Undergraduate Library in honor of the university’s outgoing president, Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, and will receive its new lettering later this month.
According to an article, Chairman Laurence Morse noted Howard president Frederick’s “selfless commitment to revitalize the University’s infrastructure, boundless presidential accomplishments, his bold vision under the Howard Forward Strategic Plan, and his continuous reminders to ‘be obsessed with the journey because no one destination will ever satisfy us.’”
“I am deeply humbled and honored to receive this incredible recognition. Having the Undergraduate Library named after me symbolizes the years of dedication and hard work that we have collectively invested in the pursuit of academic excellence,” said Dr. Frederick. “This honor is not solely mine; it is a reflection of the unwavering commitment and tireless efforts of the faculty, staff, students, alumni, and supporters who have made our University a place of distinction. Together, we have built a community that thrives on collaboration, innovation, and the belief that education can transform lives.”
Read the full article, here.
VSU’s marching band enters a partnership with renowned musical instrument manufacturer Pearl Corporation
By Sheyla Fairley
The Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA, Trojan Explosion Marching Band, along with the VSU Percussion Studio, has formed a partnership with Pearl Corporation where the marching band will be using instruments manufactured by the company.
“Pearl Corporation is honored to be a chosen partner of the Virginia State University Marching Band. A program of this caliber demands the best quality in performance, durability, and dependability. Pearl’s Championship Series Marching drums are already the sound of the Trojan Explosion, and we are excited to include additional VSU ensembles with the same level of support and quality equipment,” said Shawn Lafrenz, Senior Marketing Manager, Pearl Corporation. “We look forward to being a part of the excellence, history, and the exciting future for quality music performance and education at VSU!”
For more details, read the full article here.
Benedict College makes improvements to its campus with upgrades
By Sheyla Fairley
Benedict College, Columbia, SC, in collaboration with Siemens, a technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, transport and healthcare, and MD Energy Advisors, an energy company providing solutions for commercial clients, utility and government, has made improvements to the campus and plans to continue the commitment.
As stated in a release, the college plans to include “the development of comprehensive infrastructure improvements campus-wide including, but not limited to: Improving indoor air quality, enhancing comfort with a focus on the dormitories, supporting energy efficient and sustainable operations, reducing ongoing energy, operations and maintenance costs.”
“We are committed to this initiative, to our community, to our students, to our staff and to our industry. We hope our actions will inform the decision-making processes of other similarly situated HBCUs as we all strive to be the best we possibly can be,” said Roslyn Clark Artis, JD, EdD, president and CEO of Benedict College. “Just as students look to educators to support the next step on their journey, we looked to our trusted teammates, Siemens and MD Energy Advisors, to guide us in order for us to make the most informed and best decisions for our students.”
Spelman College creates a ‘safe haven’ for Black feminist and queer studies
By Sheyla Fairley
According to an article, Spelman College’s, Atlanta, GA, comparative women’s studies department have “fostered a sort of ‘safe haven’ for Black feminist and queer studies” where students feel comfortable discussing topics such as racism and gender despite legislative attempts to limit the discussion.
“Fostering a ‘safe haven’ at Spelman shows students that it’s possible to create communities that are free of oppression and teaches them that if, later in life, they find themselves with no space like this, they will have the power to recreate it,” said Esther Ajayi-Lowo, an assistant professor in Spelman’s comparative women’s studies department. “Knowing they have this power is even more important in a moment marked by pervasive hostility and so many legislative efforts to control various aspects of education.”
For more information, read the full article here.
