The Reich College of Education’s (RCOE) James Center for Student Success and Advising is working hard this semester to lend students its services despite the issues being faced today due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This entails moving the majority of their services online to ensure student safety and help stop the spread of the virus. The James Center will still be made available to help students in a myriad of ways such as with advising, professional development, scholarship opportunities and more.
Advising
The advising team is ready and on-hand to support students for the 2020-2021 academic year.
"We are in extraordinary times,” said Dr. Alicia Muhammad, Associate Director for Retention Initiatives. "Because of this, the academic advising team has been working hard to create an advising environment that is student-focused and accessible for anyone taking classes, in-person, via hybrid, or face-to-face.”
The academic advising team will be offering advising to all of the students majoring in elementary education, middle grades, birth-to-kindergarten, special education, and family and child studies programs via zoom, phone, and email.
Students in secondary and special subjects majors will also have one-on-one access to academic advising for successfully completing the Praxis Core, Applying to Teacher Education, and other questions related to processes in RCOE. Students may check out the James Center Advising Team and information about advising on the Academic Advising Web Page.
Professional Development
All teacher education students, whether taking courses in RCOE or are pursuing a major in a secondary subject or special subjects major, must attend a total of twenty (20) professional development experiences. These experiences can be virtual or a student selected event.
"The importance of professional development for preservice teachers goes without saying,” said Dr. Muhammad. “The growth and development of educators through professional development reaps a number of benefits for the student of teaching education.”
“It also has many benefits for the students our future teachers will serve across the country,” she added.
Professional development is an enhancement to students’ formal studies that will allow all of the teacher education community members to seek out different skills related to the North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards.
All teacher education students must meet their twenty (20) professional development events by the time they finish their student teaching semester and have a corresponding reflection written to demonstrate their learning from each event. Students can get detailed information about the professional development program via our Passport Professional Development Program web page.
Scholarship Opportunities
“We are proud to give our students the opportunity to receive a world-class education at such an affordable rate; however we understand that cost can still be a factor,” said Stephanie Moretz, RCOE Scholarship Coordinator and Accelerated Admissions Recruiter.
“Because of the generous support of alumni and friends of the RCOE, we are able to offer a wide range of competitive scholarships to all qualified current and incoming students,” she noted.
Scholarship amounts typically range from $500 - $7500 per year. There are multiple categories of scholarships - entering freshman scholarships, continuing student scholarships, and graduate scholarships.
Entering Freshman Scholarships in Teacher Education
A variety of scholarships are offered differing in value, merit or need-based, location-based, and major-specific, including the James Patterson Scholarship and the Steve & Judy James Scholarship. Freshman scholarship recipients will be required to be a part of the Appalachian Community of Education Scholars residential learning community and participate in service and leadership events with other future teachers.
The application to apply opened August 1; the deadline for applying is November 15.
Continuing Student Scholarships in Teacher Education
All RCOE scholarships are based on academic achievement and/or financial need. Additional consideration is given to career goals and involvement, and leadership in extracurricular activities. Students applying for scholarships are expected to meet the following minimum criteria:
Must be a junior or senior unless otherwise stated.
Must be a full-time student (registered for 12 or more hours per semester) unless otherwise noted.
Must be making satisfactory academic progress. (GPA 3.0)
Any past violation of the code of student conduct or the code of academic integrity will preclude receipt of any scholarship. Any violation while on scholarship will result in forfeiture of the scholarship.
Scholarship donors reserve the right to increase, decrease, or withdraw scholarship funding. For annual scholarships, you must reapply each year to be considered.
The application will open on January 15, 2021; the deadline for applying is February 15, 2021.
Graduate Scholarships
Graduate Scholarships are awarded through the graduate programs. Learn more about what each department and program offers.
Student Engagement
For many, engaging with a small group through clubs and student-run organizations helps establish a sense of belonging on campus.
The James Center offers a variety of student engagement opportunities through residential learning communities and student organizations. The team is committed to providing programming this Fall following social distancing guidelines and utilizing virtual opportunities.
"In a time when we are isolated and distanced from one another, it is important that we seek creative solutions to promote a sense of community for students,'' said Megan Kasper, Assistant Director for Student Engagement.
There are several clubs and organizations available to education majors on campus. For a complete list, log into Engage. The James Center sponsors the Appalachian Educators organization. Appalachian Educators promote a sense of community and commaradie for education through social, service, and professional development opportunities. Appalachian Educators will meet biweekly on Wednesday evenings at 5:30 p.m. over Zoom. Stay up to date on engagement, social, and service opportunities on their Engage page.
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