McIlhagga
Critics allege that allowing separate graduation celebrations based on race and sexual preference at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville is fostering neo segregation.
“They are working against Martin Luther King Jr’s famous idea that people should be judged by the content of their character, not the color of their skin,” said Laurie Higgins, a cultural issues writer with the Illinois Family Institute (IFI), a Christian organization that is affiliated with the American Family Association. “We re completely moving away from that and trending towards judging people based on just a few things, whether they embrace sexual deviance and what their skin color is.”
Eastern Kentucky University, while being among the largest universities in the state, ranks very low in terms of diversity among faculty members. Roger Cleveland, director of faculty diversity and development, had made it a goal to expand the number of racially diverse faculty members on campus.Â
âI just wanted to get it out there on the radar, let people know what weâre doing. Everyone has a role in recruiting and retaining diverse faculty,â Cleveland said.Â
Cleveland has just begun working with other departments on campus to identify why the university has not been able to develop a diverse range of faculty members, and what steps can be taken in the future to foster diversity in the future. Cleveland has been giving presentations to departments like the Provostâs Office and faculty senate to get the word out about the issue.
SIU works to improve student enrollment, retention
SIU Students return to campus for the Spring Semester.(Colin Baillie)
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CARBONDALE, Ill. (KFVS) - Southern Illinois University (SIU) has implemented several programs to improve student enrollment and retention.
The university opened their First Saluki Center, which helps 40% of their students who identify as first generation.
They have improved their student progress tracking software and are now using an early warning system that targets students who might not be doing well during the first few weeks of college.
The university also encourages students to register for fall classes before they leave for summer break.
2021 Sturgis Award recipient Helleny’s volunteer efforts help showcase Southern Illinois
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(Photo by Russell Bailey)
by Pete Rosenbery
CARBONDALE, Ill. When discussing HerrinFesta Italiana, Herrin’s annual weeklong celebration that runs through Memorial Day, it’s hard to not also mention Joey Helleny. The work that Helleny and myriad other volunteers put into running one of the region’s largest and best-known festivals is not only important to Williamson County but Southern Illinois as well.
Helleny, the 2021 Lindell W. Sturgis Memorial Public Service Award recipient, said it’s important to promote the region and Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
CPS graduates seeking teaching careers now have access to a new scholarship program that aims to increase diversity among Chicago educators.
The Supporting Emerging Educators Development scholarship announced Wednesday will target CPS graduates participating in Teach Chicago Tomorrow, a new initiative between City Colleges and CPS that carves a pathway for students to go to college and then become full-time CPS teachers.
“The cost of college can no longer be a barrier to our students’ aspirations, in particular the many Black, Latinx and low-income students we serve,” said Juan Salgado, chancellor of City Colleges of Chicago.
“It will help transform our city, creating a more diverse teacher workforce and a more inclusive economy,” he added.