Learn how life changes for a middle-school-age group of African American males who spend five summer days on the University of Virginia campus.
How can schools move toward the end of educational disparities between black and white students? Can universities and colleges help? Virginia educator Carol Hunter will share one school district's approach on Monday, October 10, from 4-5:30 pm in Room 80 of UMD's Montague Hall. Stay for the discussion and refreshments after the presentation.
A Journey toward Academic Success: It started at a faculty meeting with a simple enough question, What are we doing to close the achievement gap? That question started the journey. Along the way the African American Church community, civic organizations, teachers, administrators, and parents joined together to build a meaningful support system for African American students.
This presentation looks at what one small rural school district is doing to help young African American men reach their academic potential. You'll see how a review of local data and best practice research led to the formation of the Academic Scholars Institute (ASI). Dr. Gilman Whiting's Scholar Identity Model provides the structure for the ASI, a week long intensive course of study designed to help young African American men see themselves as scholars. The institute provides a skill set for success in a rigorous academic environment.
"The journey has just begun. There have been bumps in the road and some dead ends," says Carol. "However, the destination looms large, helping students find their dreams and providing them with the skills to fulfill those dreams... that's where we want to go!"
News About the Project.
 ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Carol Hunter was a elementary school teacher and the Academic Gifted Coordinator for the Orange, Virginia Public Schools for over 30 years. She is now an adjunct professor at the University of Mary Washington, in Fredericksburg, Virginia. She is a lifelong educator who is passionate about equity and equal opportunity for academic excellence. Carol Hunter and her husband Ross Hunter made a short video (above) and a longer one about the Academic Scholars Institute project.
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Department of Education Faculty Facilitators
Chang'aa Mweti, Associate Professor | 218-726-6212 |Â [email protected]
Helen Mongan-Rallis, Associate Professor | (218) 726-6272 |Â [email protected]
Jonie "Jojo" Coffin-Langdon, Instructor | 218-726-8364|Â [email protected]