|
|
|
|
Standard 4. Element Three: Experiences Working with Diverse CandidatesAttracting and Maintaining Candidates Having Diverse Characteristics Virginia State University and the Unit are committed to recruiting and retaining pre-candidates from diverse racial, ethnic, gender and socioeconomic backgrounds. Virginia State University prides itself on providing highly qualified academic programs for all pre-candidates and candidates. [1]The University has a population of 4,900 students who major in 32 undergraduate and 13 masters or doctoral level programs. There are an estimated 615 candidates and pre-candidates within the Unit. Out of that 615, 198 are males and 417 are females. VSU recruits potential pre-candidates and candidates from across the United States. Approximately 85% of the University’s student population reside in urban, suburban and rural areas across the state of Virginia. Over the past ten years, the University had an increasing number of students from the states of New York and New Jersey (approximately 6%). Each October, Virginia State University hosts high school students from as far as California, New York, Florida and Chicago. Prospective students from North Carolina, Maryland, and Virginia also attend the Annual Open House. This event is unique because pre-candidates and candidates (who are selected from professional teacher methods courses) in the Unit greet future pre-candidates, share information about the Initial Teacher Education Program, and information about campus life. A Hispanic recruitment fair, an honors student recruitment fair, an initial teacher education program orientation, and several community college recruitment events occur throughout the school year. The University is still committed to providing a higher education to low economic and first generation college-bound students. With approximately 80% of all students admitted to the University coming from households at or below the poverty level, and receiving partial or full academic scholar aid, the University has maintained a commitment to providing academic and financial support to males and females of low-income status, students with disabilities and international students. Academic Support Campus-wide efforts to support all pre-candidates and candidates come from the Orientation and Advisement Office. Special components of the program are general counseling and advisement, New Student Orientation, undecided advisement, veteran advisement, international student advisement, and tutorial assistance. Candidates in the Unit utilize all campus-wide support services, and candidates also use Unit program advisements and support services. During advisement, candidates are encouraged to extend their academic experiences to include working with diverse professional organizations on campus, community agencies off campus, and nationally known professional organizations related to their endorsement area. Interactions with Other Candidates with Diverse Backgrounds Pre-candidates and candidates also interact with other peers through annual events such as the International Forum, sponsored by the School of Liberal Arts and Education and International Ambassadors; the International Students and Exchange Visitors (SEV) program; the University of Richmond International Celebration; and the James Madison University International Educational Week, sponsored by the United States Department of Education. Candidates also interact with other candidates at an annual NASA/NIA Pre-Service Teacher Conference held in Alexandria, Virginia. For three days, college seniors from across the United States attend this conference. Candidates interact with other candidates in diversity activities, share effective teaching strategies related to science, participate in a science poster contest, and enjoy demonstrating their gifts and talents at the Talent Show. Seniors attend workshops that cover topics such as how to get a job teaching, assessing student achievement in science, and encouraging students of diverse race, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic backgrounds to participate in science activities. Once the seniors complete the conference activities, they have an opportunity to serve as a NASA/NIA Pre-Service Teacher Conference Ambassador. Diverse Experiences Virginia State University and the Unit work in collaboration with schools, businesses and organizations to plan and implement events in which candidates and pre-candidates are able to work with other candidates with diverse backgrounds. The Unit holds an annual Diversity Celebration. The celebration’s purpose is to provide opportunities for pre-candidates and candidates to interact with peers from diverse backgrounds. This annual diversity celebration is one of many events at Virginia State University. Other events where candidates collaborate with other candidates from diverse backgrounds include Black History Month, International Week, Women’s Month, National Disabilities Week and Adaptation in Physical Education. Kappa Delta Pi is an international education honor society, dedicated to the following five ideals that support their dedication to scholarship and excellence in education: (1) promoting the development and dissemination of worthy educational ideals and practices, (2) enhancing the continuous professional growth and leadership of its diverse members, (3) fostering inquiry, (4) reflecting on significant educational ideas, (5) and maintaining a high degree of professional fellowship. The Iota Epsilon chapter of Kappa Delta Pi is located on the campus of Virginia State University. The Student Education Association (SEA) also provides opportunities for pre-candidates and candidates to interact with persons from diverse backgrounds, as defined by NCATE. All pre-candidates and candidates are invited to attend SEA meetings. The SEA holds monthly meetings, and the organization sponsors professional development workshops as well as community outreach projects.
|
