The University of North Carolina has received a $1.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to address the shortage of Indian-American administrators in state schools.
With less than 1 percent Indian administrators in North Carolina, under the First Americans’ Educational Leadership (FAEL) project, the university will provide financial assistance to Indian-American students who opt for the Master of School Administration degree.
“The School of Education is so honored to be funded by the U.S. Department of Education for this grant,” said Dr. Alfred Bryant, dean of the School of Education.
“We have a very successful track record receiving U.S. Department of Education grants aimed at increasing the number of American Indian teachers. However, this is the first time we have received this grant that increases the number of American Indian school administrators.”
The project, which is an Indian Education Professional Development grant and funded by the Office of Indian Education, is designed to improve responsive leadership and quality of preparation services among Indian-American graduates.
The grant will be used to cover the cost of a professional school leadership association and help students with tuition, exam fees, stipend, books, among others
“With this program, we will be able to provide the support and professional development our students need to be successful and highly effective in the field,” Camille Goins, an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Specialties, said.
“This university was established to train American Indian teachers and with this program we are building upon that foundation with a focus on the administrative role.”
The grant will serve 20 students, with the initial group of 10 students to be enrolled in 2019 and another 10 by January 2020.
