USA Joins K-12 Educators, Business and Community Leaders at 2015 Education Summit

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Posted on February 24, 2015

Joy Washington

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“The Role of Post-Secondary Education in Improving Educational Attainment for All Students” was the theme for the 2015 Founders Day and Education Summit sponsored by the College of Education at the University of South Alabama.

The event, which focused on access to education and workforce development, was co-sponsored by the United Way of Southwest Alabama and hosted by the Mobile Area Education Foundation and the Mobile County Public School System. The event was held Tuesday at the USA Mitchell Center.

More than 150 educators, business and community leaders, and students attended the Education Summit. The keynote speaker was Executive Director Dr. Gregory G. Fitch of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education. He reminded those in attendance that all hands should be working to make sure every student is successful.

“We have to prepare our teachers, continue to seek financial resources and expand sources of higher education funding,” Fitch said.

USA President Dr. Tony G. Waldrop joined several educators on a higher education panel, and he talked specifically about two of his five strategic priorities.

“All students, no matter what their economic status, should be able to acquire a good education,” Waldrop said. “Two of our strategic priorities, which are access to higher education and pathways to graduation and community engagement, were recently created.”

Waldrop said the University is working on plans to partner with local community colleges in assisting students who want to continue their education and on strategies to help USA students graduate on time.

 “We want to help students transition to a four-year college, and we want to help our current USA students graduate within four years,” Waldrop noted.

Waldrop served on the discussion panel with the Rev. Gregory Lucey, president of Spring Hill College; Dean of Instructional Services Dr. Latitia McCane, Bishop State Community College; and Chancellor Dr. Mark Heinrich, Alabama Community College System.

One of the highlights of the summit was a panel discussion which included USA College of Education student Lindsey Estes, a graduating senior. She praised the faculty at the University and said she’s prepared to begin her career as a special education teacher. Estes served on the panel with two Mobile County public high school students.

The Education Summit closed with supportive comments from Dr. Richard L. Hayes, dean of the USA College of Education; Mobile County Public School System Superintendent Martha Peek; Vice Chancellor Dr. Charles Nash of the University of Alabama System and Mobile Area Education Foundation CEO Carolyn R. Akers.

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