Tag: college

Education

College Options for Students with Intellectual Disabilities featuring the TigerLIFE program at the University of Memphis

by Carjamin Scott on July 25, 2018, at 8:05 p.m. CST

Students with intellectual disabilities are able to attend college. Since 2010, five colleges in Tennessee have offered inclusive post-secondary education opportunities for high school graduates interested in furthering their education.

According to the TN Inclusive Higher Education Alliance website, “students with intellectual disabilities attending a comprehensive training program (CTP), are able to use federal financial aid to help pay the cost of attendance.”

CTPs are degree, certificate, or non-degree programs for students with intellectual disabilities. All of TN’s programs are CTPs, but only one program, TigerLIFE at the University of Memphis, is a designated community rehabilitation provider (CRP).

CRPs focus on “practices that reflect individual integrated employment as a priority outcome,” as stated on the Think Works website.

TigerLife at the University of Memphis by Maurice “Moe” Williams

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Maurice “Moe” Williams, photo from University of Memphis website

TigerLIFE (Learning, Independence, Fostering Employment & Education) at the University of Memphis is “a 60-hour program culminating in a completion award in Career and Community Studies. Participation in the Tiger LIFE program provides students with an option for continuing their education beyond high school to increase employment opportunities,” as indicated on the TigerLIFE website.

As noted in the Daily Helmsman, “Moe Williams, associate director of the University of Memphis Institute on Disability and founder of the TigerLIFE program, developed the program as part of his Master’s thesis. Williams was working at the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau as the director of education programs while working on his Master’s degree.”

“We (TigerLIFE) are unique because we are the only employment-based training institute in the state of TN,” stated Williams.

TigerLIFE also has these three unique features.

  1. TigerLIFE has the highest enrollment in the state, 75-100 students.
  2. The tuition at TigerLIFE is the least expensive in the state, $4,950.00 per semester.
  3. The TigerLIFE program is administered alongside the University of Memphis Institute on Disability (UMID), a team of disability researchers.

Williams mentioned, “We operate differently and work collaboratively with a behavioral staff who monitors our curriculum and the day to day activities of our students.”

The University of Memphis Institute on Disability (UMID)

The University of Memphis Institute on Disability (UMID) as stated on the website has “formed alliances with government, private, academic and legal entities to research and develop programs which encourage people with disabilities to pursue higher education toward graduation and employment.”

TigerLIFE collaborates with the UMID, particularly for behavioral intervention and program analysis. UMID sets the curriculum for students, assists with career readiness, and facilitates job placement.

Tennessee’s Inclusive Post-Secondary Institutions

All of TN’s inclusive programs have different features and benefits, such as on-campus housing, which TigerLIFE does not provide. Below is a list of the other inclusive post-secondary institutions in the Tennessee.

  • Next Steps at Vanderbilt University
  • FUTURE at University of TN Knoxville
  • IDEAL at Lipscomb University
  • EDGE at Union University

Additional Research on this Topic Pending

Carjamin is a candidate for the Doctorate in Education emphasizing Learning Organizations and Strategic Change. Her anticipated graduation date is December 2018.

To culminate her degree, she will co-author the capstone group project titled Parents’ Perceptions of TN Inclusive Post-Secondary Education Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities.

The issue the research will present is the parent’s perception of the impact of IPSE programs for their student with ID in the state of TN. This research is intended to help with undertaking continued analyses and assist our client, Dr. Erik Carter of Vanderbilt University and the TN Inclusive Higher Education Alliance with determining what success means for parents with children enrolled in IPSE programs.

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Carjamin Scott can be reached at carjamin.scott@gmail.com and you can follow her on twitter @scottcarjie.

Humans, Interviews

Dr. Shanna L. Jackson, the First Black Female President of Nashville State Community College, Discusses her Pathway to the Presidency.

by Carjamin Scott on July 15, 2018, at 10:30 p.m. CST

Dr. Shanna L. Jackson, the first black female president of Nashville State Community College, was the keynote speaker at the inaugural Black Women’s Empowerment Brunch hosted by the Equity Alliance.

Dr. Jackson is the product of two college-educated parents. Her mother instilled the importance of believing in God, and her father was the first in his family to graduate from college. Dr. Jackson mentioned that her father’s education was his gateway out of poverty. Her parents encouraged her to set big goals and never let gender or skin color stop her from reaching her dreams.

“At 5 years old, I told my parents that I want to become the first female President of the United States,” said Dr. Jackson.

Her education career began as an instructor at South College, this was the first time she experienced students that were not from two-parent households, students who were the first in their family to attend college, students who did not have a support system that encouraged them to attend school, students who had issues outside of school such as childcare needs, and students who grew up in a home where attending college was not expected.

“This is when I learned the difference between equality and equity. I was “woke,” I realized that my instructor job was not about me. I had a purpose to serve,” she said.

Dr. Jackson explained, “Education is the key to both economic and political empowerment. Education does not just prepare you for a job, it changes families.”

Dr. Jackson explained, “Education is the key to both economic and political empowerment. Education does not just prepare you for a job, it changes families.”

This experience changed Dr. Jackson’s childhood goal and the path to the presidency of a community college began.

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Dr. Shanna Jackson, Keynote Speaker, and NSCC President

Pathway to Presidency

Here are the steps Dr. Jackson took to become the first Black female president of Nashville State Community College.

First, she found a mentor, then she found a sponsor.

Dr. Jackson sought college leaders out, told them what she wanted to do, and asked them for feedback on how she can reach her goal. She learned the difference between mentors and sponsors.

“Mentors are great, but sponsors are better. Sponsors have the power to make things happen on your behalf,” explained Dr. Jackson.

She discussed the importance of creating relationships and surrounding yourself with people who are critical, open, and honest with you about your strengths and your shortcomings.

She printed community college president job descriptions.

She printed out community college president job descriptions to determine the strengths she had and the gaps she needed to fill before she could serve in the position. She began to apply and was interviewed for a position.

She persevered through adversity.

She was turned down for a college president position that a mentor told her to apply for. After the interview, she met with the mentor, they discussed what she needed to work on, and it helped her to prepare for her next interview opportunity.

She researched current community college presidents to learn their similarities.

She researched current community college presidents to learn their career background, education, and impact at the colleges they lead. She wrote down her strengths and what she needed to learn to become a community college president. “I created a plan to fill the gaps because I realized that I had a calling to fulfill,” she stated.

She furthered her education.

She enrolled at Tennessee State University and earned a Doctorate in Education degree while working and raising kids. Her husband supported her goals and she was able to complete the degree in three years.

She bloomed where she was planted.

After reaching a career ceiling, she began talking to the College President she worked for at the time, about how she wanted to move the college forward. Soon, a new position was created, she applied and interviewed. Then, she became the Executive Assistant to the President. Dr. Jackson explained, “This was a critical turning point in my career because it provided the breadth and depth I needed to reach my goal.”

On June 1, 2018, eleven years after earning her doctorate degree and after serving in other administrative positions, she became the first black female president of Nashville State Community College. Her next goal is to close the equity gap particularly for students of color.

She addressed the crowd, “What are your hopes and dreams?”

“We have a responsibility to make a difference” “Own your power, the time is now.”

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Carjamin Scott can be reached at carjamin.scott@gmail.com and you can follow her on twitter @scottcarjie.

Education

Become an Effective Mentor with tnAchieves and Increase Collegiate Success

by Carjamin Scott on June 14, 2018, at 5:02 p.m. CST

tnAchieves in partnership with TN Promise and the TN Student Assistance Corporation is seeking mentors for the high school graduation class of 2019. Mentors alert students about upcoming deadlines, scholarship community service requirements, and related in-person mandatory meetings. New mentors are required to attend a one hour mandatory training meeting and two one hour meetings with their assigned students. On average, a mentor will spend less than 10-12 hours yearly communicating with students about TN Promise eligibility requirements. Here is what it takes to become a mentor.

  • Be 21 years of age or older.
  • Apply by December 1.
  • Be subject to a background check.
  • Complete mandatory mentor training in February.
  • Attend the mandatory high school team meeting in March or April.
  • Attend the college team meeting in the fall, usually October.
  • Contact students at least once every two weeks from March through December.

During the course of the TN Promise program, many students miss deadlines and other requirements resulting in ineligibility for the scholarship. This is why mentors are needed to alert students about program requirements and help them with navigating the college admissions process.

Continue reading “Become an Effective Mentor with tnAchieves and Increase Collegiate Success” →

Education

Promote Mental Health Before College: Suicide Risk on the Rise for Teens aged 15-17

by Carjamin Scott on June 11, 2018, at 7:50 p.m. CST

According to a Vanderbilt-led study, the risk of suicide for teens aged 15-17 has increased, particularly during the month of October. The study, published in Pediatrics, indicated that school-aged children had a higher rate of suicide attempts in the fall and spring. The summer months had the lowest rate of suicide attempts.

“To our knowledge, this is one of only a few studies to report higher rates of hospitalization for suicide during the academic school year,” said lead author Greg Plemmons, MD, associate professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

The study was conducted from 2008-2015 at children’s hospitals across America. The sharp rise of suicides and suicide attempts during the school year suggest that students experience higher levels of stress while enrolled in school. According to the U.S. Center for Disease and Prevention, suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for adolescents.

…aside from alcohol-related deaths, suicide is the number one cause of death for college students.

Other studies indicate, aside from alcohol-related deaths, suicide is the number one cause of death for college students. As you prepare your student for college this August, be sure to talk with them about the importance of mental health and wellness. Students are often leaving home for the first time. They may experience anxiety, depression, and stress while navigating unfamiliar terrain. If your student is dealing with any of this, suggest that they attend counseling services available at the university. University counselors are experienced with assisting students with navigating college life.

Here are some of the signs to look for to determine if a student you know needs to seek medical treatment.

Continue reading “Promote Mental Health Before College: Suicide Risk on the Rise for Teens aged 15-17” →