The School of Education at North Carolina A&T State University has been awarded two grants to enhance efforts to recruit students into teacher education and to prepare them to integrate culturally relevant teaching practices into special education.

The Office of Special Education Programs at the U.S. Department of Education awarded Drs. Cathy Kea and Gloria Elliott $1.2 million each for their work on Project CREED (Culturally Responsive Exceptional Educators for Diversity) and Project PAPERS (Preparing Adapted Physical Educators to Render Services), respectively.

“Each of these projects demonstrates our faculty’s commitment to improving teachers’ preparedness to engage students from diverse backgrounds through high-quality instruction,” said Dr. Anthony Graham, interim dean of the School of Education. “Immersing candidates in innovative, research-verified instructional practices that leverage K-12 students’ cultural backgrounds as tools for engagement in the classroom rather than tools for exclusion will certainly have a positive impact on their learning experiences.”

Kea, a professor of curriculum and instruction, will use the funds to produce and support well qualified, culturally competent pre-service general and special educators who can effectively deliver data-based intensive intervention instruction in high need school districts, high poverty and low performing schools in diverse communities for Project CREED.

Elliott, an assistant professor of human performance and leisure studies, will use the funds over a five-year period to recruit and prepare highly qualified adapted physical education teachers at the master’s level who will be able to render high quality physical education services for diverse learners with disabilities in public school settings so they may safely and successfully engage in physical activities in the least restricted environment in rural, suburban, or urban settings with Project PAPERS.

For the annual Fall Convocation at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, North Carolina A&T State University will welcome back former Student Government Association president and alumnus, Wayne Kimball Jr. as the keynote speaker.

This year’s Fall Convocation provides another opportunity to recognize the achievements of student-athletes and alumni, and to commemorate the university’s land-grant legacy and 125th anniversary. The convocation is also the first in a series of events on the alumni schedule for “The Greatest Homecoming on Earth,” 2015.

Kimball currently serves as the director of performance improvement for the ACT-1 Group. In that position, he works directly with corporate executives to collaboratively establish a roadmap for success by developing and implementing organizational change and business development strategies to holistically enhance performance of branch offices and regional markets.

Prior to joining the ACT-1 Group, Kimball served in the human resources technology and global business organizations at Google Inc. where he implemented and promoted new products, optimized client accounts, and scaled the team's outsourced reactive support model.

Kimball is a member of the 100 Black Men of America, National Speakers Association, National Urban League and a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He currently serves on the board of directors for Christel House Academy and the N.C. A&T State University Alumni Association where he is chairman of the Student Engagement Committee.

He earned his B.S. in civil engineering from A&T and his MBA in international business at the Quinlan School of Business at Loyola University in Chicago.

The event will be in Harrison Auditorium. Classes are suspended between 10 a.m. and noon, to allow student and faculty participation.

The Center for Outreach in Alzheimer’s, Aging and Community Health (COAACH) at North Carolina A&T State University in partnership with the African American Alzheimer’s Disease Research Study will host the seventh annual Caregivers Education Conference on Saturday, Oct. 31.

The conference offers help to individuals who play the critical role of caregiver to loved ones living with dementia, their family care partners and professional caregivers. Community experts will be on hand to inform and provide caregivers with healthy aging strategies to better manage their caregiving responsibilities.

“This year’s conference is particularly exciting because we will promote a message of healthy aging and healthy caregiving,” said Dr. Sharon Warren Cook, new executive director of COAACH.

The agenda includes a keynote from Dr. Veita J. Bland, “Can Diabetes with Poor Control of Glucose Injure the Brain?” as well as sessions on healthy approaches to caregiving, promoting communication and hearing wellness, and cognitive impairments.

Admission is free for registered attendees and $10 on the day of the event for non-registered attendees. The deadline to register is Monday, Oct. 26.

For more information, visit the COAACH website.

Solving family, farm and community challenges is the focus of the upcoming Grassroots Leadership Conference, hosted by The Cooperative Extension Program at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and its advisory group, the Strategic Planning Council.

The free conference is scheduled for 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Nov. 21, at Montgomery Community College, Building 200, 1011 Page Street in Troy, and is designed for youth and families, farmers, small business owners, civic and community leaders, and elected officials.

This year’s conference theme is Strong Families, Strong Communities: Building Pathways to a Brighter Future. With more than 100 years as a trusted organization throughout the country, Cooperative Extension has myriad programs and resources to help community members address their issues, including expertise in money management, youth development, land stewardship, land management, farming and business enterprise, and community development. Those attending the conference can learn more about Cooperative Extension resources and its partnering organizations and affiliated decision makers.

Prospective college students are also encouraged to attend to meet with N.C. A&T representatives to learn about the application process, academic majors and financial assistance.

The conference begins with a panel discussion followed by concurrent breakout sessions on topics that include strategies to develop: an estate plan, philanthropy, youth and community engagement, community leadership, and land stewardship and management. Registration is suggested.

To register or for more information, contact Crystal Headen or Vivian Smith at 336-334-7956.