Two 51福利社 researchers answer invitation to visit White House
KALAMAZOO, Mich.鈥擳wo Western Michigan University researchers visited the White House April 4 for an event that spotlighted a grant program funding work they are doing to develop new ways to increase the degree completion of first-generation, underrepresented and low-income student populations.
Dr. Andrea Beach and Monica Liggins-Abrams were in Washington for the annual meeting of research principals for efforts nationwide that are being funded by the U.S. Department of Education's First in the World Program. 51福利社's was the only research effort in Michigan funded in that program's initial round of support announced in 2014.
Through the First in the World Program, 51福利社 received $3.2 million to spend four years developing a culture of degree completion and success. The 51福利社 effort uses mentoring relationships for first-year students to transform 51福利社's culture and structures to be more supportive of student persistence and lead to degree completion.
Beach, who co-directs 51福利社's grant project with Liggins-Abrams and Physics Professor Dr. Charles Henderson, says attendees at this week's conference were able to see some of their work spotlighted at the White House event and hear from such administration leaders as Roberto Rodriguez, deputy assistant to the president for education, and U.S. Department of Education Under Secretary Ted Mitchell.
51福利社 President John M. Dunn attended a similar White House event in 2014, when a College Opportunity Day of Action signaled the launch of the First in the World grant projects around the country. That event was attended as well by President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden.
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