Western Carolina University - UNC-Tomorrow Initiatives

WCU is a University of North Carolina Campus

UNC-Tomorrow (UNC-T) Initiatives and Teacher Recruitment

• Grant initiatives for rural schools integrate with UNC-Tomorrow objectives in the following ways:

The Appalachian Regional Commission Grant for College Access and Success is housed in Teacher Recruitment. This grant incorporates finding 4.2.1 (increase access to educational programs for traditional students, non-traditional students, and lifelong learners).
The Appalachian Regional Commission Grant for College Access and Success helps to ensure students are better prepared to enter and succeed in post-secondary education (4.2.6).
The Appalachian Regional Commission Grant for College Access and Success inreases access to higher education for rural underserved regions, underrepresented populations, and non-traditional students (4.2).

• To address the projected demand for high quality education among North Carolinians, grant initiatives assist area school systems by increasing WCU campus access and participation in programming on the WCU campus. Additionally, scholarship and admission information is provided to ensure the “Stewardship of Place Model” is realized through rural students attending post-secondary education and returning to contribute to the rural community in which they live. The “Stewardship of Place Model" is embodied in the collaborative work with school system personnel and Western Carolina University faculty and staff. Grant funding provides opportunities to think globally and act locally in a manner in which life in the region can be improved.

• To address the projected demand for high quality education among North Carolinians, the Teachers of Tomorrow Reaching to Teach Conferences assists middle school, high school, and community college students by increasing WCU campus access and participation in programming on the WCU campus. Additionally, scholarship and admission information is provided to ensure the “Stewardship of Place Model” is realized through rural students attending post-secondary education and returning to contribute to the rural community in which they live.

Teachers of Tomorrow Reaching to Teach Conferences address the UNC-T findings 4.3.1, 4.3.2, and 4.3.4 by increasing the quantity, quality, and distribution of recruits. Additionally, the Teachers of Tomorrow Reaching to Teach Conferences assist in addressing the shortage of science and math teachers in rural areas by showcasing these teaching areas in a seminar format. Middle and high school students are encouraged and supported to remain in school and apply for post-secondary education.

• To address the projected demand for high quality education among North Carolinians, the Teacher Cadet Program assists high school students by increasing WCU campus access and participation in programming on the WCU campus. Additionally, scholarship and admission information is provided to ensure the “Stewardship of Place Model” is realized through rural students attending post-secondary education and returning to contribute to the rural community in which they live.

Teacher Cadet Partnership Programs address the UNC-T findings 4.3.1, 4.3.2, and 4.3.4 by increasing the quantity, quality, and distribution of high school education recruits. Additionally, the Teacher Cadet Partnerships assist in addressing the shortage of science and math teachers in rural areas by showcasing these teaching areas in a seminar format. High school students are encouraged and supported to remain in school and apply for post-secondary education.

• To address the projected demand of high quality education among North Carolinians, the WCU chapter of Kappa Delta Pi promotes teaching as a profession, provides leadership opportunities, disseminates professional information, and provides access to national research.The “Stewardship of Place Model” is realized through the engagement of rural university students in educational endeavors and the opportunity to return and contribute to the rural community in which they reside.

Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) addresses the UNC-T findings 4.3.1, 4.3.2, and 4.3.4 by increasing the quantity, quality, and distribution of public school teachers.