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Office of Community Engagement

371 Varner Dr.
221A Varner Hall
Rochester, MI 48309
(location map)
248-370-3150
engagewithou@oakland.edu

Office of Community Engagement

371 Varner Dr.
221A Varner Hall
Rochester, MI 48309
(location map)
248-370-3150
engagewithou@oakland.edu

Office of the Provost

Wilson Hall, Room 205
371 Wilson Boulevard
Rochester, MI 48309-4486
(location map)
(248) 370-2190
provost@oakland.edu

group of students in burgundy scrubs with stethoscopes around their necks, posing with instructors

PK-16 Education

The PK-16 Education Committee focuses on supporting Pontiac PK-12 student’s education, as well as helping parents and families to be partners in their children’s education. In addition, the partners work to strengthen the connections between Pontiac Schools and Oakland University, particularly regarding bridging high school graduation and initial college experiences.

Pillar Leads

Headshot of Jane Bais
Jane Bais - DiSessa
Deputy Mayor
City of Pontiac
jbais-disessa@pontiac.mi.us
Headshot of Jon Margerum
Jon Margerum-Leys
Dean
School of Education
Oakland University
jmargerumleys@oakland.edu
Headshot of Kelley Williams
Kelley Williams
Superintendent
Pontiac School District
kelley.williams@pontiacschools.org
Objectives
  • Continue to help parents and families to be partners in their children’s education through the development of Parent University
  • Support middle school students’ algebra skills through algebra workshops and other experiences
  • Provide field experiences to Oakland University students and educational experiences to Pontiac Schools students
  • Support the success of Pontiac School students who face challenges such as English language learning, post-traumatic stress and poverty
  • Strengthen the connections between Pontiac Schools and Oakland University, particularly regarding bridging high school graduation and initial college experiences
Initiatives
Patient Care Technician Program
The Patient Care Technician (PCT) training program at Pontiac High School is a dual-enrollment program that offers students the opportunity to prepare for the workforce while also earning college credit. Students gain competencies as nursing assistants, while also learning diagnostic procedures. Clinical rotations take place at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland. “This program has eliminated barriers for many of our students,” said Kelley Williams, superintendent of Pontiac School District.
Pontiac Middle School/OU Tutoring Program
Oakland University supports more than 350 Pontiac middle school students’ academic growth by providing Math and English tutors to work with students two days per week. The tutoring program is designed to improve Pontiac middle school students’ performances on standardized tests, classroom/homework assignments and to bolster student attendance at each grade level. The tutor program was sponsored by ty the OU - Pontiac Initiative Community Impact Sponsorship Award and the Oakland County Links, Inc.
OUPIECE
OU - Pontiac Initiative's Early Childhood Education group was established to address disparities within Pontiac pertaining to early childhood learning and development and maternal and infant health. Through grants, OUPIECE has hosted several screenings of the documentary “Resilience: The biology of Stress & the Science of Hope” throughout Pontiac to discuss impact of trauma on learning and development.

For more information about OUPIECE, contact:
Dr. Shannan McNair: mcnair@oakland.edu
Dr. Tomoko Wakabayshi: twakabayashi@oakland.edu
Pontiac Parent University
Parent University is a nationally recognized program designed to empower parents to be strong advocates and partners in their child’s education. Parents are encouraged to participate in free workshops throughout the school year. A variety of workshops fall under Pontiac Parent University’s four focus areas:
  • Health & Wellness
  • Positive Parenting
  • Navigating the Educational System
  • Personal Development
Past workshops included: Zumba with Beaumont Hospital , Healthy Cooking classes with Gleaners, FAFSA workshops with Oakland University Financial Aid Office, Mental Health Series with CNS Healthcare and more.

To learn more about Pontiac Parent University and how to be involved, contact Paola Nkwuzor at paola.nkwuzor@pontiacschools.org.
Outcome Data

Oakland University’s Reading Language Arts (RLA) Department provided 710 hours of one-to-one instruction to Pontiac youth

  • RLA faculty members participated in three parent nights
  • Oakland University student provided one-on-one tutoring to a child who was struggling with reading at Whitman Elementary School via an undergraduate independent study (16 hours of instruction provided)
  • Provided monthly after-school activities that integrated literacy at the Baldwin Center
  • Exposed 6,916 Pontiac students to careers