Changing face of U.S. workforce propels GSU’s new Executive Doctorate in Business program

As American executives grow older – and live longer – many are looking to lengthen their careers well into their golden years but find their MBA degrees only take them so far.

As a result of this trend, Georgia State University’s new Executive Doctorate in Business degree program – where the average student is age 47 -- received double the number of applications than it had actual slots in the four short months since the program was unveiled. A total of 25 percent of those accepted into the program will travel a great distance to attend classes, including from California, Connecticut, and Arkansas.

“Our target class size is 21 and we received such great response to the program, we put some on next year’s waiting list,” said Maury Kalnitz, director of the Robinson College of Business Executive Doctorate in Business program. “We enrolled 21 students with incredible backgrounds, including from Fortune 500 companies.”

The Executive Doctorate in Business at GSU is one of few programs of its type in the nation. The three-year GSU doctorate program is practitioner-focused and designed to equip executives with advanced skills they can bring back to their respective workplaces. By comparison, other doctoral programs focus on careers in academia.

“I’ve been interested in pursuing a doctorate for years but a program didn’t exist that was less than four or five years,” says Jim O’Connor, a 45-year-old from Greenville, S.C. who owns his own consulting company and begins the program later this month.

He added, “The focus of the program is very exciting to me. I plan to develop my research skills, apply those skills, build credentials and a professional network, and change the focus of my business to an environmentally sustainable one.”

Several of GSU’s top scholars in business will be teaching in the program, including Lars Mathiassen, academic director of the Executive Doctorate in Business program, Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar, and co-founder of the Center for Process Innovation at the Robinson College of Business; and V. Kumar, executive director of the Center for Excellence in Brand and Customer Management and the Richard and Susan Lenny Distinguished Chair in Marketing.

“It used to be that after you reached a certain age, there were no more educational opportunities,” said Kalnitz. “They may be at the top of their career ladder, but executives need to go further, to learn how to apply research methods to practical problems in ways that benefit their companies, as they remain in the workforce longer.”

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.artsacrossgeorgia.com
Arts Across Georgia

Partners for Digital Equality, Tutor.com, and Clayton County Government Announce Collaborative Effort: PDE Learning Without Walls(TM) (LearningWOW)

/PRNewswire/ -- Partners for Digital Equality (PDE), Tutor.com, and The Clayton County Public School System announce their PDE Learning Without Walls(TM) project (LearningWOW) as a way to welcome in the new academic year.

Last year Georgia's Clayton County Public Schools were the first in 40 years to lose accreditation, and after a long public battle their accreditation was restored in May of this year. It was evident that in order to regain the trust of the community and to empower the lives of its student body a new approach to learning had to be taken.

"Our partnership with Tutor.com clearly demonstrates that we will deliver real-time solutions to communities who have far less than adequate access to mainstream broadband technology -- in this case, all public school students based in one of the nation's most academically challenged school districts," said Partners for Digital Equality Chairman Julius H. Hollis (Mr. Hollis is also Chairman of The Alliance for Digital Equality(TM), a 501(c) 4 consumer advocacy organization). "Together, we intend to serve as a significant bridge across Clayton County's digital divide and thereby help stabilize the school district's accreditation."

PDE Learning Without Walls(TM) is aimed at enhancing student performance, literacy and self-esteem, while enabling families to get the career development services they need to thrive and remain competitive professionally. Online Tutoring, Career help, Homework Help, GED Prep, and Resume Writing are just some of the free services being offered to the Students and Parents of the Clayton County area through the LearningWOW initiative.

"We are thrilled to be part of this innovative program to bring students the one-to-one instructional support they need to achieve their academic goals and lay the foundation for a successful learning experience," said George Cigale, founder and CEO of Tutor.com.

In addition, the students will be provided a comprehensive rigorous curriculum (based on Georgia Performance Standards) that promotes proficiency and acceleration in school and world endeavors. Students are expected to master all Georgia Performance Standards coursework in core subjects including: English, Math, Science, and Social Studies.

Chairman Eldrin Bell of The Government of Clayton County said, "Clayton County looks forward to the technological advancements that this project will afford our students, parents, teachers and the entire Clayton County community. This partnership will certainly give us opportunities to excel and tap into new technologies through the utilization of the Clayton County library system as an empowerment pathway to the 21st century. Our citizens will have a chance to benefit from the many services offered through The PDE Learning Without Walls(TM) project, and I am just overwhelmed at the opportunity of being a part of it."

The PDE Learning Without Walls(TM) project will officially launch on August 10th, the first day of school in Clayton County.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

Georgia Southern University Offers New Master of Healthcare Administration Degree

Georgia Southern University’s Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health will offer a new Master of Healthcare Administration degree beginning this fall.

The two-year, 45-credit-hour degree is designed to prepare professionals for some of the top jobs in healthcare administration, a growing field that is expected to have a large need for executives and managers in the coming years.

“A Master of Healthcare Administration degree will prepare professionals for middle and upper management positions in the healthcare industry,” said James Stephens, program director and former hospital/healthcare system chief executive officer. “Right now, healthcare accounts for 16 percent of the country’s gross domestic product and aging baby boomers are expected to place more demands on the healthcare system. There is high demand for well-trained and qualified healthcare professionals.”

Stephens says the Master of Healthcare Administration degree will prepare graduates for management and executive positions in hospitals, health systems, physician clinics, public health departments, government health agencies, health insurance companies, healthcare consulting firms, ambulatory centers and surgical centers.

“Professionals with undergraduate degrees in business, nursing, public health or those working in the healthcare industry now are ideal candidates for the Master of Healthcare Administration degree,” said Stephens.

Founded in 2004, the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health was the first school of public health in the University System of Georgia. Today, the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health is nationally recognized for its efforts to enhance health and eliminate health disparities of rural communities and underserved populations in Georgia and the southeastern region, the nation and the world.

For more information about the Master of Healthcare Administration degree, visit www.jphcoph.georgiasouthern.edu.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

Educators see negative impact on instruction due to call for furloughs

“The members of the Georgia Association of Educators (GAE) are obviously concerned and disappointed about Gov. Perdue’s call for furloughing three planning days between now and the end of this calendar year,” said GAE President Jeff Hubbard whose association represents over 42,000 educators. “They are concerned that the loss of those planning days, or any days, will negatively impact their ability to provide quality instruction to their students, which is their priority. This amounts to less time to prepare for their students, which impacts their ability to get the school year off to a great start. One question we are looking into is whether our state statutes allow the governor to implement furloughs for contractual employees, which are the majority of our state teachers. He has handed off the responsibility for making these hard decisions to the superintendents and school boards. He does not have the authority to mandate furloughs for school employees because they are essentially employed by the local school systems.”

Hubbard notes that planning days are critical, especially this time of year, because they are used for the initial preparation for the implementation of our state’s increasingly challenging state standards and curriculum, for the preparation of differentiated instruction based on various learning styles, for academic and grade level team planning, and to prepare the classroom for the children, among many other things. “Educators are not blind to the effects of the recession and the need to trim budgets,” said Hubbard, “but we would ask lawmakers to fully explore all other possibilities before resorting to negatively impacting student instruction, especially on the heels of the recent gains made in attaining AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress).

Some suggestions Hubbard’s organization proposes are reexamining the state’s tax incentive and tax-free programs. “At a critical time when our state’s coffers are not where we need them to be, it would be negligent to not look at methods to bring in much needed tax monies such as temporarily suspending the upcoming sales tax holiday, examining our corporate tax structure to see if they are paying their fair share, and looking at the feasibility of tax incentive giveaways such as those provided to motion-picture companies. Georgia desperately needs a fair and equitable taxation system. The recession has only served to highlight this need.”

Another question Hubbard asks is regarding the federal stimulus monies from the American Relief and Reinvestment Act and whether the governor has violated its requirements by taking the budget back before fiscal year 2006 levels [At his press conference the governor remarked that he had taken the budget back to FY 2005 levels]. If so, Georgia would be ineligible to receive additional stimulus funds and could have to repay some funds.

“Some complain about our state’s ability to educate our children, but I know educators do an excellent job with ever dwindling resources,” said Hubbard. “And as is their nature, educators will continue to come out of their pockets an average of $550-$600 a year to provide for their classrooms and students. Name one other profession where the professionals willingly take out of their own pockets, and subsequently, from their own families, to provide for their jobs. Under Gov. Perdue’s tenure to this point, austerity cuts have bled Georgia’s schools to the tune of $1.6 billion. And ironically, more and more is taken from them while more and more is asked of them. Educators are a special breed, which is why GAE is proud to represent them.”

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

Berry Granted Provisional Membership in NCAA Div. III

Berry College has been approved for provisional membership in NCAA Division III by the NCAA Management Council. Berry is one of three schools nationally that will begin the provisional membership process in 2009-10. Joining Berry is another Northwest Georgia school, Covenant College.

“Both academically and athletically, NCAA Division III is a good fit for Berry,” said Dr. Steve Briggs, Berry president. “We have always placed a high priority on academic achievement and the overall quality of the educational experience for our student-athletes, and affiliation with Division III allows us to be true to these fundamental values while also growing our athletic program in new and exciting ways.”

The provisional process will likely last four years. During this time, Berry will complete the transition to a non-scholarship athletic program – as required by Division III – and make other changes necessary to bring the athletic program into full compliance with NCAA membership guidelines. When the provisional process is complete, Berry will join more than 400 colleges and universities nationwide as a full member of Division III.

For now, Berry will hold joint membership in both the NCAA and the NAIA. During the 2009-10 academic year, Berry teams will continue to compete in the NAIA’s Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC), although they will be ineligible for postseason play. Conference affiliation in Division III is under exploration and will be determined at a later date.

“Berry has a long and distinguished history of competitive excellence in the NAIA, and we are proud to continue that association as our provisional membership in the NCAA begins,” Dr. Briggs stated. “We look forward to another year of SSAC competition and are committed to continuing our friendly in-town rivalry with Shorter College even after the transition is complete.”

Berry first began exploring the possibility of a change in athletic affiliation nearly a decade ago. At that time, the decision was made to remain in the NAIA but to revisit the subject once the college had a facility in place that could support a possible change. That facility became a reality with the opening of the 131,000-square-foot Steven J. Cage Athletic and Recreation Center in January 2008.

In anticipation of the Cage Center’s completion, a 15-member campus taskforce analyzed opportunities and issues related to possible membership in the NAIA and NCAA Divisions I, II and III. The resulting report was discussed by various groups on campus, and after a year of study, the president’s cabinet recommended to the Board of Trustees that Division III would be the best long-term fit for Berry and its student-athletes. College officials made the decision to explore Division III membership during the 2008-09 academic year, after which time the NCAA Membership Committee recommended that Berry be approved for provisional membership.

The move to Division III makes it possible for Berry to enhance the visibility and diversity of athletic opportunities available on campus by adding sports such as women’s softball and men’s and women’s swimming and diving (both debuting in 2009-10) and men’s and women’s lacrosse (to be added in 2010-11). At the same time, the Division III approach to scheduling games and practices will make it easier for athletes to be fully engaged as students and involved in other aspects of campus life.

“We believe that this decision will result in an improved educational experience for our student-athletes,” Dr. Briggs explained. “This move emphasizes that varsity athletics is an integral part of our overall educational program and that student-athletes are an integral part of the student body.”

The transition is not without its challenges. Because the defining principle of Division III is that student-athletes are to be treated the same as other students, Berry – beginning with the entering class of 2009-10 – no longer offers financial aid based upon athletic ability or participation. Student-athletes are eligible for the same range of merit-based scholarships and need-based aid as other Berry students, in keeping with Berry’s commitment to make a high quality educational experience affordable to all of its students. Student-athletes also have the option of earning extra money, and gaining valuable firsthand experience, though participation in the college’s student work program.

In addition, Berry will be unable to compete for national championships during the provisional period. As an alternative, coaches are exploring unique scheduling opportunities that will allow Berry teams to compete in venues and tournaments nationally and even overseas.

“Berry has a legacy of attracting great coaches and talented student-athletes,” said Todd Brooks, the college’s longtime athletic director. “Our coaches understand the importance of this change for the college community, and they believe strongly in the spirit and values of a Berry education. They are committed to ensuring that Berry will continue to field high-quality athletic teams consisting of student-athletes who distinguish themselves in the classroom, on campus and on the athletic field."

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

Ashworth College Breaking New Ground as First Online Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter

Ashworth College and Habitat for Humanity proudly announced today that the distance education leader has become the first institution of its kind to establish an online Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter.

A Campus Chapter is a student-led organization on a high school or college campus that partners with a local Habitat affiliate to fulfill four primary functions – building, fundraising, advocating and educating.

The Ashworth Campus Chapter, who will align with Habitat for Humanity’s North Central Georgia affiliate, has become its first-ever distance education campus chapter and will operate primarily through online forum and social community groups. Habitat’s student groups traditionally have been at brick and mortar institutions.

"Because our students interact mostly online, we find that they are more organized and have a higher commitment level to student organizations than their traditional campus-based counterparts," said Ryan Rode, Ashworth Director of Social Media and faculty advisor. "The only real difference is that instead of holding regular meetings in an on-campus classroom, our members will meet in chat rooms."

Rode is optimistic that the Ashworth College Campus Chapter will create new opportunities for Habitat. "The typical college student doesn’t have the resources that our student does," he said. "Ashworth students tend to be working adults with established personal and professional networks -- this will make a big difference when it comes time to participate in any fundraising and advocacy initiatives."

Rode went on to mention that Ashworth offers a wide range of diploma, certificate and degree programs in the skilled trades to include carpentry, construction management, electrician, heating and air conditioning, landscape design, plumbing; as well as interior decorating. "We hope that students in these programs will seize the opportunity to not only give back, but to gain some hands-on experience that will help them professionally," Rode added.

Within the first month, the Ashworth College Chapter recruited more than 25 members, both in the US and abroad. "Partnering with Ashworth College will create an entirely new dynamic for Habitat," said Bill Campbell, Engagement Specialist for Habitat for Humanity International. "Habitat supports affiliates all over the world. There is a good chance that wherever an Ashworth student calls home, there will be an opportunity to participate in project nearby."
Habitat for Humanity is known for building homes for under-privileged families and Ashworth has already made plans to participate in a local build. As part of its upcoming 2009 Graduation weekend activities, the Chapter is co-sponsoring a house in North Atlanta.

"Ashworth does an amazing job at providing the students opportunities to enhance our education as well as our outreach efforts. It really makes us proud of our school," said Anne Cox, president of the Ashworth Campus Chapter. "The build is also an opportunity for Ashworth students, alumni, faculty and staff to meet face-to-face and work side-by-side for a worthwhile cause."

"This demonstrates that online students share many of the same interests as those at campus-based school," Cox, a forensic science student, added. "Attending school online doesn’t mean that you’re missing out."

Ashworth College

---
Community News You Can Use
Follow us on Twitter: @gafrontpage
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.PoliticalPotluck.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---

University of Georgia Offers Executive Coaching Certification Program This Fall

/PRNewswrie/ -- As businesses operate in a challenging economy, decisions have to be reasoned, sharp and focused. As more organizations and executives incorporate professional coaching into their development initiatives, the need for certified executive coaches has soared.

The University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education, a leading source for executive coaching and professional development programs, and the Sasha Corp, LLC, are pleased to offer the Fall session of the Sherpa Executive Coaching Certification Program, Oct. 12-16 and Dec. 1-4, 2009, at the Georgia Center, 1197 S. Lumpkin St., on the UGA campus in Athens, Georgia.

The Sherpa Executive Coaching Certification Program gives participants the opportunity to become a process-driven coach and earn a university-endorsed certification. Not only are executive coaches valuable to an organization, they help turn workplace weaknesses into new strengths, thus improving a company's bottom line.

Judith Colemon, a Sherpa Coaching author and instructor, explained: "Human Resource professionals, who have experience with one-on-one coaching, know it produces a tremendous return on investment. That's not to say they'd hire just any coach. Some people in this business don't have a clear process, or the skills to do a great job. Our executive coaching program offers a proven way to create those skills and qualifications."

In addition, UGA and the Sasha Corporation, LLC, also offer Coaching Skills for High Performance, a program that creates a powerful coaching mindset and winning skill set for managers and executives. Coaching Skills for High Performance will be offered Nov. 2-4, 2009 at the University of Georgia Gwinnett Campus, 2530 Sever Rd., in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

For more information about the Sherpa Executive Coaching Certification Program or the Coaching Skills for High Performance program at the University of Georgia, contact Pamela Bracken at 706.542.3537 or mpam.bracken@georgiacenteruga.edu. Go to http://www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/is/coach/index.phtml for program information, course objectives and more.

The Georgia Center is a unit of the University of Georgia's Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach. The Center provides innovative lifelong learning opportunities through its continuing education programs. On UGA's campus, the Georgia Center includes a full-service hotel with 200 rooms and suites, restaurants, banquet areas, conference rooms, auditoriums, a fitness center, and a computer lab -- all under one roof. For more information, go to www.georgiacenter.uga.edu.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.artsacrossgeorgia.com
Arts Across Georgia

Coming up Short for Fall’s Tuition Bill? Sallie Mae Offers Last-Minute Options to Help Families Pay for College

(BUSINESS WIRE)--In these economic times, families of college students might find themselves with less money in their pockets to pay this fall’s college tuition. Sallie Mae, the nation’s leading saving, planning and paying for education company, offers several affordable options available in time to meet the cost of higher education.

“When times are tight, a college degree continues to pay long-lasting dividends,” said Albert L. Lord, vice chairman and CEO, Sallie Mae. “With unemployment for college graduates at half that of the population at large, a college degree remains one of the best investments a family can make. The good news is that there is a variety of options to help cover the cost.”

Sallie Mae’s free Education Investment Planner, available at www.SallieMae.com/invest, can help college-bound students and their families compare the costs of 5,500 colleges and universities, build a customized plan to pay for college, and explore various funding options.

After maximizing scholarships, grants and federal student loans, Sallie Mae advises families to consider these solutions to a last-minute college financing gap:

* Tuition Payment Plans

Tuition payment plans are available at hundreds of college campuses and offer families an alternative to making a large, lump-sum payment due at the start of the term. Sallie Mae’s TuitionPay is an interest-free, monthly installment option that saves families money by reducing the amount they need to borrow and allows families to more easily use their current income for education expenses. Visit www.SallieMae.com/tuitionpay for more information.

* Sallie Mae PLUS Loan

Federal PLUS loans allow parents of undergraduate, dependent college students, as well as graduate students, to finance their unmet financial need, up to the full cost of education, as certified by the student’s institution. Federal PLUS loans carry a fixed interest rate of 8.5%, regardless of the customer’s credit history, income or assets. Funds may be used to cover total education expenses, including room, board, books, supplies and travel to campus.

To qualify, applicants must not be more than 180 days delinquent on their mortgage or medical bills and no more than 90 days late on other bills. Sallie Mae assists parents and graduate students who do not immediately qualify for a PLUS loan in resolving outstanding or erroneous credit issues. Parents may postpone making payments until six months after their beneficiary student completes college or drops below half-time status. To learn more, visit www.SallieMae.com/plus.

* Sallie Mae Smart Option Student Loan

For students who have explored scholarships, grants and federal student loan programs but still have unmet financial need, Sallie Mae’s new Smart Option Student Loan will help students save money, build good credit and pay off their student loans faster. Featuring interest-only payments while in school, the Smart Option Student Loan enables the typical customer to pay off the balance nine years sooner and save an estimated nearly 60 percent in finance charges when compared to most other private education loan alternatives. To increase the likelihood of approval and to get the best rates, students are encouraged to apply with a creditworthy cosigner. For more information, visit www.SallieMae.com/smartoption.

* Upromise by Sallie Mae

Upromise by Sallie Mae is a free program that offers another way to earn extra money for college. Members can receive money back for college while making eligible purchases such as school supplies, a laptop, clothing and college dorm essentials. Upromise members have earned nearly $500 million in member rewards since 2001. Rewards accumulate in a member’s Upromise account and can be transferred into a 529 college savings plan account administered by Upromise Investments or used to pay down eligible Sallie Mae-serviced student loans. Visit www.Upromise.com for more information.

Sallie Mae also reminds students that it’s not too late to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for federal grants and student loans. Families should talk to their campus financial aid office if their finances have changed. Colleges can adjust their award packages when a family encounters special circumstances, such as if a parent is laid off or takes a salary cut. In addition, if parents are turned down for a federal PLUS loan, a student may qualify for higher loan limits through federal Stafford loans.

Sallie Mae continues to recommend that families follow its “1-2-3 approach” to paying for college: first, tap “free money” such as grants and scholarships; second, fully explore federal loans; and third, if necessary, fill any gap with private student loans.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

Clayton State – East Preparing to Open for Fall Semester

As part of the University-wide preparations for the opening of the 2009/2010 academic year on Monday, Aug. 17, Clayton State University has been preparing its latest acquisition, Clayton State – East, for use during the fall 2009 semester.

Previously the campus of the Atlanta Bible College (ABC) on Trammell Road in Morrow, Clayton State – East is located (not surprisingly) just east of the University’s main campus, extending the University’s acreage from 163 acres to 175 acres.

During the spring of 2008, the University negotiated an option to purchase the ABC campus, which comprises approximately 12.1 acres and two main buildings, a 16,173 square foot administration building and an 11,628 square foot apartment building. The administration building includes classrooms, offices, a large auditorium/meeting/assembly space, a library and a kitchen. The apartment building contains 10 apartments. For the fall 2009 semester, Clayton State – East will be used for evening classes. Some productions of the Clayton State Theatre and special lectures may also be held in the auditorium.

In the long term, Vice President of Business and Operations Corlis Cummings notes that the property gives the University the flexibility to consider utilizing its buildings for a variety of uses, including; holding some Continuing Education events or classes, using the classroom space for day classes, serving as a possible annex to the existing Clayton State Library, administrative offices, housing for visiting scholars and/or visiting faculty. Cummings also adds that the ABC purchase, while congruent with the University’s 2006 strategic plan, came at a time when property values were such that Clayton State was able to obtain the property at a fair price.

A unit of the University System of Georgia, Clayton State University is an outstanding comprehensive metropolitan university located 15 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta.

Distance Education Leader Ashworth College Breaking New Ground as First Online Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter

/PRNewswire/ -- Ashworth College and Habitat for Humanity proudly announced today that the distance education leader has become the first institution of its kind to establish an online Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter.

A Campus Chapter is a student-led organization on a high school or college campus that partners with a local Habitat affiliate to fulfill four primary functions - building, fundraising, advocating and educating.

The Ashworth Campus Chapter, who will align with Habitat for Humanity's North Central Georgia affiliate, has become its first-ever distance education campus chapter and will operate primarily through online forum and social community groups. Habitat's student groups traditionally have been at brick and mortar institutions.

"Because our students interact mostly online, we find that they are more organized and have a higher commitment level to student organizations than their traditional campus-based counterparts," said Ryan Rode, Ashworth Director of Social Media and faculty advisor. "The only real difference is that instead of holding regular meetings in an on-campus classroom, our members will meet in chat rooms."

Rode is optimistic that the Ashworth College Campus Chapter will create new opportunities for Habitat. "The typical college student doesn't have the resources that our student does," he said. "Ashworth students tend to be working adults with established personal and professional networks -- this will make a big difference when it comes time to participate in any fundraising and advocacy initiatives."

Rode went on to mention that Ashworth offers a wide range of diploma, certificate and degree programs in the skilled trades to include carpentry, construction management, electrician, heating and air conditioning, landscape design, plumbing; as well as interior decorating. "We hope that students in these programs will seize the opportunity to not only give back, but to gain some hands-on experience that will help them professionally," Rode added.

Within the first month, the Ashworth College Chapter recruited more than 25 members, both in the US and abroad. "Partnering with Ashworth College will create an entirely new dynamic for Habitat," said Bill Campbell, Engagement Specialist for Habitat for Humanity International. "Habitat supports affiliates all over the world. There is a good chance that wherever an Ashworth student calls home, there will be an opportunity to participate in project nearby."

Habitat for Humanity is known for building homes for under-privileged families and Ashworth has already made plans to participate in a local build. As part of its upcoming 2009 Graduation weekend activities, the Chapter is co-sponsoring a house in North Atlanta.

"Ashworth does an amazing job at providing the students opportunities to enhance our education as well as our outreach efforts. It really makes us proud of our school," said Anne Cox, president of the Ashworth Campus Chapter. "The build is also an opportunity for Ashworth students, alumni, faculty and staff to meet face-to-face and work side-by-side for a worthwhile cause."

"This demonstrates that online students share many of the same interests as those at campus-based school," Cox, a forensic science student, added. "Attending school online doesn't mean that you're missing out."

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

Mercer Reformulates Criminal Justice into Public Safety Degree

Mercer University’s College of Continuing and Professional Studies will launch a reformulated undergraduate major in public safety this fall. The program expands upon the College’s successful major in criminal justice in order to better serve current and future public safety officials. The new public safety program will launch this fall at four of the College’s locations: Atlanta, Macon, Henry County and Douglas County.

The changes to the degree mirror the changing landscape of public safety, which has shifted from distinctive emergency services such as law enforcement, fire and emergency response into a more cohesive and professionalized framework. With new threats demanding an integrated response, this new degree will help train a new breed of cross-trained professionals. Included in the new coursework for this program are courses in homeland security, cyber security, forensics, emergency management, terrorism, leadership and multi-cultural issues.

The degree is designed with public safety officials in mind, with courses online and in the evenings providing maximum flexibility. Students can choose to take most courses in person, online or in a hybrid format.

“In order to best prepare our graduates for new public safety challenges, we revised our current foundation courses to provide a much broader base of knowledge,” said Dr. V. Lynn Tankersley, assistant professor of public safety and one of the degree’s designers. “The response from public safety agencies and professionals has already been tremendous.”

Recognizing the need for continued education in this complex field, the Technical College System of Georgia partnered with Mercer to allow graduates from its associate degree programs in criminal justice to complete a “Plus 2” program at Mercer. Under the new articulation agreement, qualified applicants can earn a Bachelor of Science in Social Science, majoring in public safety, in two years.

Like the criminal justice major it replaces, the public safety major will lead to a Bachelor of Science in Social Science. The degree builds on the College’s expertise in the public safety field. The College offers the Public Safety Leadership Institute, a leadership development program for public safety officials, and the Master of Science in Public Safety Leadership, a degree program for public safety officials looking to advance into leadership positions.

For more information on admission to the program, contact:
Atlanta and Macon - Amanda Bentley, (678) 547-6554 or bentley_ad@mercer.edu
Henry County - Stephen Jenkins, (678) 547-6436 or jenkins_sd@mercer.edu
Douglas County - Tammy Collins, (678) 547-6493 or collins_tj@mercer.edu

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.artsacrossgeorgia.com
Arts Across Georgia

Georgia State to help DeKalb County history teachers and students

Georgia State University will soon be helping DeKalb County public school teachers expand their American history knowledge, in an effort to increase student achievement in social studies.
DeKalb County Public Schools, with Georgia State as a partner, was recently awarded a “Teaching American History” grant from the federal government.

The grant, roughly $1 million over the next three years, will cover professional development expenses for American history teachers in elementary, middle and high schools. Educators hope to get an extension of the grant for a total of $1.6 million over five years.

Starting in the fall, Georgia State will offer DeKalb County teachers an opportunity to take two graduate level courses at Georgia State, one in history and one in education.

Teachers will earn graduate course credit at GSU, continuing education credit with their district and a stipend to help cover their tuition, books and supplies as well as travel to historical sites.
Nearly 30 DeKalb teachers will be eligible for the program each year, for a total of 90 over three years. The program is designed to ensure teachers develop the knowledge and skills necessary to teach traditional American history in an exciting and engaging way.

“Our hope is that they learn more historical content, particularly in the areas their students have demonstrated weakness, so not only the teachers learn more content, the students do too and perform better on the state history test,” said Chara Bohan, associate professor of middle-secondary education in GSU’s College of Education.

The courses at GSU will be challenging, graduate-level courses designed to meet the specific needs of Dekalb County teachers and students. They will emphasize educational pedagogy and the American history framework established by the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

The subject matter will extend over broad chronological periods in the nation’s history and also target specific areas where DeKalb County students need to improve, such as understanding economic and industrial history, said Michelle Brattain, associate chair of the GSU History Department.

“I think this program is very, very important both for GSU and for our community,” Brattain said. “The Teaching American History grant will now allow us to extend our commitment to middle and secondary education in Georgia to a new constituency and build collaborative relationships with Dekalb County and area teachers.”

Georgia State’s Department of Middle-Secondary Education and Instructional Technology in the College of Education and the History Department in the College of Arts and Sciences collaborate to prepare both undergraduate and graduate students to be middle and secondary social studies teachers.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page