More than ever colleges are encouraging students to study abroad to help enhance their education. One local organization is helping students set themselves apart from others when looking for a job.
The Wisconsin/Nicaragua Partners of the Americas provide exchange programs and outreach assistance for American and Nicaraguan students.
"It provides an opportunity for people to have international volunteer experience in relation to areas that they're interested in," says director, Amy Wiza.
UWSP students like Hannah Werner, senior, are able to expand their educations by learning how other people live.
"I did not have a clue how it was going to help my education until I went there and experienced it," Werner says, "Just seeing other cultures, how people live, seeing how much we have here."
Hannah is studying to become a family and consumer science teacher. So working with kids and helping the community grow in Nicaragua has been an eye opening experience for her. She says the language barrier was the most difficult thing to get past.
"To have that barrier, to have that wall in between, to try and teach them something so simple but it takes so much work," Werner says.
But Wiza says the hard work is really worth it, because the trips help students set themselves apart from others with their new cultural knowledge.
"Everyone who has traveled with us has said that is one of the best things I've ever done in my life," Wiza says.
Hannah says the experience will help her become a better teacher, and she has helped the kids she worked with see that there are opportunities beyond their communities.
The program isn't just for students, they've had travelers ages 8 to 80 helping out with a wide variety of community service projects.
jennifer.kliese@wsaw.com
For more information about the exchange, visit their website: http://wisnic.org/
Organization Helps Students Gain Volunteer Experience
High education jobs still growing by Michigan study
If you want a decent economic future, pile on the education.
That's the message from the second annual report by Michigan Future Inc. and a University of Michigan economist on the state’s transition to a knowledge-based economy.
The report found that in the first 13 months of the current recession -- which began in December 2007 but wasn't officially admitted until after the November election -- the United States lost more than 3.75 million jobs in low-education attainment industries, such as manufacturing, construction, retail and hospitality.
However, the economy actually gained 163,000 jobs in high-education attainment industries.
The number of jobs requiring higher education peaked in August 2008, prior to the historic fall 2008 Wall Street meltdown.
“What we found is stunning,” said Michigan Future Inc. President Lou Glazer, who conducted the study with UM economist Donald Grimes. “The trends that we have written about in our previous report have accelerated in the downturn.”
Glazer and Grimes show that the long-term trend is clear: job growth in America is concentrating in the knowledge-based economy.
Employment in low-education attainment industries have grown nearly 16 percent from January 1990 to January 2009, while the number of jobs in high-education attainment industries has grown by 32 percent.
In their report, the researchers analyzed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics from 2001 to 2007 on all 50 states and the 54 U.S. metropolitan areas with populations of at least a million, plus Lansing and Madison, Wis.
They found that the most prosperous places in the country are big metropolitan areas where college educated adults and knowledge-based employers are concentrating. Surprisingly, the largest urban areas not only have the highest proportion of households with incomes of $75,000 or more, but also the smallest proportion of households with incomes under $25,000.
“In a flat world where more and more work can be done anyplace, many predicted an economic resurgence in small metropolitan areas and even rural areas,” Glazer said. “The pattern we found is the opposite.”
Glazer and Grimes say that high-education industries -- such as information, finance and insurance, professional and technical services, health care and education -- accounted for 60 percent of U.S. job growth from 2001 to 2007. The average wage in these knowledge industries is nearly $59,000, compared to about $33,000 in all other industries.
Unfortunately, Michigan and its big metropolitan areas are lagging in the transition to a knowledge-based economy, the researchers say.
In 2007, the state ranked 33rd in per capita income -- down from 16th in 2000 -- 34th in the proportion of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree and 36th in the share of wages from knowledge-based industries. From 2001 to 2007, Michigan ranked last in both overall employment growth and job growth in high-education attainment industries.
Among large U.S. metropolitan areas, Detroit ranked 25th in per capita income, 36th in college attainment and 37th in knowledge-based industries in 2007. Grand Rapids lagged even more -- 51st in per capita income, 44th in college attainment and 53rd in knowledge-based industries.
The story is pretty much the same for Lansing, which substantially trailed the comparable Madison, Wis., area on all economic metrics.
“What most distinguishes successful areas from Michigan is their concentrations of talent, where talent is defined as a combination of knowledge, creativity and entrepreneurship,” Grimes said. “Quite simply, in a flattening world, the places with the greatest concentrations of talent win. Michigan has lagged in its support of the assets necessary to develop a knowledge economy at the needed scale. Building that economy is going to take a long time and require fundamental change. But we believe it is the only reliable path to regain high prosperity.”
According to the researchers, the plan for economic vitality is clear. Michigan must place a higher value on learning and entrepreneurship; create places where young, talented individuals want to live (e.g., vibrant central city neighborhoods); ensure the long-term success of its higher education system by expanding public investment; transform teaching and learning to align with the realities of a “flattening” world; and develop new private and public-sector leadership that has moved beyond the desire to recreate the old economy and that is clearly focused on preparing, retaining and attracting talent.
Glazer and Grimes caution that Michigan must build a diversified knowledge economy based not only on information technology, the life sciences, alternative energy and green technology, but also on finance and insurance, professional and technical services, health care and education.
They also acknowledge that, while in great decline, the auto industry and other manufacturing will continue to be important to Michigan’s economy. However, good-paying, low-skilled manufacturing employment is no longer the path to prosperity or to a broad middle class.
“There is a widespread concern that the decline of good-paying manufacturing jobs will mean the days of a mass middle class in America are coming to an end,” Glazer said. “Far more likely is a change in the nature of good-paying jobs, not their decline. That middle-class employment in the future will come primarily in the high-education attainment industries.”
The report was released Tuesday and shared with business leaders and officials from Michigan’s University Research Corridor, an alliance of Michigan State University, UM and Wayne State University to marshal their collective resources to transform, strengthen and diversify Michigan’s economy.
At an 11 a.m. news conference at the UM Detroit Center, officials from UM, WSU and Detroit Regional Chamber outlined programs they are undertaking to keep talented young people in the state and encourage entrepreneurism. Glazer and Grimes will share their findings with MSU and state officials Wednesday at the state Capitol.
http://www.wwj.com/
Education needed quality, not quantity
Thai governement needed to take changes just like American education recent effort,thanks to President Obama that suggest increment in education budget to reward good teachers and establish uniform academic standards in America, with all that mentioned by him as 'a relative decline of American education"
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New spending for education increased
After less than three months, the Obama Administration has approved an unprecedented increase in federal spending for the Department of Education (DOE). But if history is any guide, these spending increases will have little if any positive effect on the quality of American education.
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U.S. Chamber Welcomes Secretary Duncan’s Remarks on Education Reform Funding
The FINANCIAL -- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce on March 5 welcomed remarks by Education Secretary Arne Duncan regarding the use of stimulus funds to tackle such reform issues as teacher accountability, the expansion of school terms, innovation and evaluation, and tying student achievement to international benchmarks.
“The Chamber has always emphasized that a first class education system is the only way for America to compete and succeed in the global economy,” said Arthur Rothkopf, senior vice president at the Chamber. “We applaud Secretary Duncan for the willingness to meet our current education challenges head-on to ensure every child has the opportunity to achieve the American dream.”
Education reform continues to be one of the Chamber’s top priorities. Nationwide, only about one-third of 4th and 8th graders—and less than 20% of low-income and minority children—are proficient in reading and math. The core ideas the Chamber believes are necessary to strengthen and reform the nation’s education system remain:
1. Changing the way we train, pay and evaluate teachers
2. Giving school administrators greater independence to run their schools
3. Collecting more data to accurately measure results such as teacher performance and
return on investment
4. Implementing more rigorous academic standards and a system to measure whether
schools are meeting them
5. Focusing on innovation and evaluation
“We look forward to working with Secretary Duncan and the Obama Administration on addressing the looming education crisis and making sure education reform comes to fruition,” Rothkopf said.
The Institute for a Competitive Workforce (ICW) promotes high educational standards and effective workforce training systems so that they are aligned with each other and with today’s rigorous business demands.
http://finchannel.com/index.php
New program offer tuition assistance to military spouses
LAGUNA HILLS, Calif. -- Military spouses have an exclusive opportunity to use up to $6,000 in tuition assistance toward any degree, certificate or vocational program at Allied Business Schools or Allied American University through the new Military Spouse Career Advancement Account Program.
MSCAAP provides spouses the opportunity to train for today's high-demand career fields without having to pay anything out-of-pocket - up to 100 percent of their education may be covered.
Available through the Department of Defense, MSCAAP is offered to military spouses nationwide in all military branches. Military Spouses of active-duty military service members, who have at least one year of remaining service, can receive up to $6,000 for their education. The program is available to spouses of active-duty military service members including Coast Guard deployed with the Navy, Active/Guard Reserve, and reservists called to active duty in support of Operations Enduring or Iraqi Freedom.
"MSCAAP provides an unprecedented opportunity for military spouses to get an education. They can enroll in a degree, certificate or vocational program in today's high demand career fields without having to worry about the cost of education," said Steve Rathje, president of Allied Schools. "The program enables them to get the education they've always wanted and build a career that enables them to contribute to the family income - it's a huge opportunity."
Spouses that are already employed, under-employed, or need an education or training to maintain employment or become employed at future posts may also obtain MSCAAP funds.
Allied Business Schools and Allied American University provide a variety of options to military spouses wishing to capitalize on the new benefit. Allied American University offers degree and certificate programs - including degree programs in Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Computer Information Systems and more. Certificate programs include Business, Management, Internet Marketing, Web Design, Law Enforcement, Forensic Investigations, Terrorism & Security, Finance, IT Management, to name just a few. Allied Schools also has comprehensive, short-term vocational courses in high-demand careers like medical billing, medical coding, medical transcription, dental office assistant, real estate salesperson, small business management, and more.
It is fast and easy for military spouses to start their education and utilize the MSCAAP benefit. Once the spouse establishes a career goal and chooses the degree, certificate or vocational course, they can call Allied and a representative who will walk them through the admissions process.
Allied's online educational programs are ideal for military spouses because it allows them to attend class from any location and study according to their own schedule. The course materials are available 24/7 - they can log onto their degree, certificate or vocational courses when they have time. The online education is also self-paced, allowing them to learn at an accelerated rate or keep a regular pace throughout their studies.
"At Allied, we recognize the sacrifices that military spouses make and are proud to support the degree, certificate and vocational goals of military spouses," said Rathje. "The military is recognizing the importance of education for today's military spouse and we are happy to be part if this exciting program. MSCAAP opens doors for these individuals and provides an opportunity to get an education or career training that otherwise might not have been possible."
To learn more about Allied Schools, visit www.alliedschools.com or call (888) 501-7686 to speak with an admissions representative.
http://www.elmendorf.af.mil/
Arts and humanities grants awarded to 28 faculty at IU
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Twenty-eight faculty from various Indiana University campuses have been awarded New Frontiers in the Arts and Humanities grants. With the intent of encouraging faculty to expand their work into new disciplinary or interdisciplinary areas, the awards will provide funding for this year's winners to explore topics such as:
"Divine Healing and Deliverance in America, 1860-2010," a book manuscript by Candy Gunther Brown, associate professor of religious studies at IU Bloomington.
"All in the Family: Identifying Kinship in Prehistory Using Ancient DNA," a project looking at kinship patterns in the Midwest over the past 2,000 years by Frederika Kaestle, assistant professor of anthropology at IU Bloomington.
"Requiem for the Innocent," a vocal and orchestral remembrance of victims of terrorism by Jorge Muñiz, assistant professor of music at IU South Bend.
"Mothers' L.A.N.D. (League Against Nuclear Dangers): History, Heroines, Housewives and Homeland," an exhibition examining an organization formed in 1973 in opposition to the construction of a nuclear generating facility, by Matthew Groshek, assistant professor of civic engagement, exhibition planning and design at IUPUI.
This is the fifth and final year for the original New Frontiers in the Arts and Humanities program, which was funded by the Lilly Endowment for five years with $5 million. However, the university will continue to support the program after this year.
"In the last four years, more than 300 awards have been made to faculty members on all eight campuses, resulting in many dozens of books, art exhibitions and performances," said Sarita Soni, IU vice provost for research, whose office oversees the program. "Equally impressive is the fact that many of these awardees have successfully competed for external funds to continue their work. President McRobbie's commitment to continuing funds for this program for the next five years is a recognition of the work faculty are accomplishing in the arts and humanities at IU."
The New Frontiers program offers support to faculty in a number of ways. New Frontiers grants assist in the development of innovative works of scholarship and creative activities, while New Perspectives grants target workshops and conferences on the arts and humanities. Visiting Visionary scholar grants support extended visits to IU by scholars and performers, and Exploration Traveling Fellowship grants support national and international travel for scholars and researchers in the initial stages of new projects.
"The value the New Frontiers Visiting Visionary grant is immeasurable for my research and for the SoFA Gallery," said Betsy Stirratt, director of the School of Fine Arts Gallery at IU Bloomington. She will orchestrate "Re(Actions) Visualizing Climate Change," a series of programs and exhibits. "This funding has made it possible to present the topic of global warming in a completely new way. Through interdisciplinary activities, collaborations and the display of contemporary art, I hope that we will provide a forum to examine and understand, through visual means, climate change."
The deadline for 2009 New Frontiers grant proposals occurs in October. For more information about the program and the application process, see
www.research.iu.edu/funding/newfron/index.html.
2009 New Frontier grants were awarded to:
Candy Brown, IU Bloomington, Religious Studies, "Divine Healing and Deliverance in America, 1860-2010
David Craig, IUPUI, Religious Studies, "Debating Desire: Ritual Performance and the Politics of Man
Denise Cruz, IU Bloomington, English, "Transpacific Femininities: Literature and the Making of the Modern Filipina"
Margaret Dolinsky, IU Bloomington, Fine Arts, "Annunciation + Visitation: Operatic Projections of Her Sexual Insight"
Matthew Groshek, IUPUI, Fine Arts, "Mothers' L.A.N.D. (League Against Nuclear Dangers): History, Heroines, Housewives and Homeland"
Jeffrey Hass, IU Bloomington, Music, "Third Symphony for Orchestra with Electronics and Video Projection: Together and Apart"
Frederika Kaestle, IU Bloomington, Anthropology, "All in the Family: Identifying Kinship in Prehistory Using Ancient DNA"
Stacie King, IU Bloomington, Anthropology, "Archaeology of/as Political Action in Southern Mexico"
Brigitte Le Normand, IU Southeast, History, "Gastarbajteri: The Influence of Labor Migration on Yugoslav Society and Culture, 1960-1980"
Murray McGibbon, IU Bloomington, Theatre and Drama, "The African Tempest Revisited"
Elliott McKinley, IU East, Music, "Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra"
Jorge Muniz, IU South Bend, "Requiem for the Innocent"
Kathleen O'Connell, IUPUI, Fine Arts, "Watercolor Groundscapes Inspired by Ecosystems of the Desert"
Rakesh Solomon, IU Bloomington, Theatre and Drama, "Islamic Fundamentalists, Hindu Militants, and Globalization: Locating Traditional Theatre within Contemporary India's Political Economy"
Rachel Wheeler, IUPUI, Religious Studies, "Revolutions in Faith: Five Generations of a Mohican-Moravian Family, 1740-1815"
New Perspectives grants were awarded to:
Colin Allen, IU Bloomington, Poynter Center, "Neuroethics: Ethical and Social Implications of Neuroscience"
Hakki Cipa, IU Bloomington, Central Eurasian Studies, "Editing the Past, Fashioning the Future: Historiography of the Ottoman Empire"
William Deal, IUPUI, Music, "Intermedia Festival Project"
Adelheid Gealt, IU Bloomington, Fine Arts, "Merged Symmetries: Exploring the Geometric Sculptures of Morton C. Bradley Jr."
Philip Goff, IUPUI, Religious Studies, "The Religion and American Culture Conference"
Bessie House-Soremekun, IUPUI, Political Science, "Rethinking Economic Development in the Context of Globalization"
Paula Katz, IUPUI, Fine Arts, "Collaborate: Projects for the 21st Century"
Michael Martin, IU Bloomington, African American and African Diaspora Studies, "Cinematic Representations of Racial Conflict in 'Real Time'"
Portia Maultsby, African American and African Diaspora Studies, "Black Rock Music and Audio Visual Archives: The Conference as a Solution to Filling the Documentation Gap"
David Ransel, IU Bloomington, History, "Everyday Life in Russia: Strategies, Subjectivities and Perspectives"
Jutta Schickore, IU Bloomington, History and the Philosophy of Science, "Integrated History and Philosophy of Science Conference"
Samrat Upadhyay, IU Bloomington, English, "The Writer in the World: The Personal and the Political"
Visiting Visionary Scholars grant was awarded to:
Elizabeth Stirratt, IU Bloomington, Fine Arts, "ReActions: Visualizing Climate Change"
