Wednesday, August 16, 2006
OU awards new teaching scholarships for urban students
As dean of the School of Education and Human Services (SEHS), Mary Otto is familiar with the teacher shortage around the country and the difficulty of recruiting and retaining good students to become future teachers in Michigan’s area schools. Otto decided to address the issue head on for the students who often have the greatest difficulty with making the decision to complete a teacher education program. Earlier this year, Otto created several five-year scholarships for incoming freshmen graduating from local urban high schools.
Along with a committee of faculty and staff from the SEHS, Otto designed a supportive educational and mentoring program specifically for these students using funds raised from the SEHS’s alumni and friends. The recipients of the SEHS Student Leader Success Scholarships will be actively involved in a well-rounded program intended to build commitment to the teaching profession and increase the success of the students. Students will have professional mentors drawn from OU alumni, SEHS upperclassmen as peer mentors, volunteer experiences, teacher education seminars and other cohort activities.
On June 27, 2006, the first four scholarship recipients were honored at a dinner hosted by the SEHS at Meadow Brook Hall on the campus of Oakland University. At the event, the recipients and their families met with representatives from the School of Education and Human Services, including Otto and other faculty and staff.
The four recipients of SEHS Student Leader Success Scholarships selected for their academic achievement, demonstrated leadership and commitment to volunteerism are:
- Chelsea M. Davis of Heritage High School, Saginaw, Mich., who has been assisting in a classroom for early childhood developmentally delayed students;
- Akosua Johnson of Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences, Detroit, who stood out for her work as a swim aide and her volunteer work at an elementary school and church working with children;
- Dominique Joseph of Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences, Detroit, whose participation in a vocational program for the past four years afforded her opportunities to work with youth and their families; and
- Allysia Posey of Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences, Detroit, the vice president of her graduating class and National Honor Society Secretary.
These four outstanding students will enter Oakland University in the fall, when they will begin the SEHS Student Leader Success program.
For more information on Oakland University’s education programs, visit the School of Education and Human Services Web site.