The Independent Thinker
Private Colleges Serving the Public... One student at a Time
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Talladega College Announces Dr. Gregory J. Vincent as 21st President |
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The Board of Trustees at Talladega College has announced its choice for the institution’s next president.
Dr. Gregory J. Vincent says one of the greatest titles he has held is professor.
“I have so enjoyed teaching young people,” the New York native said. “I’ve been teaching now for well over a quarter of a century. I think about that legacy of helping to nurture young minds and, even today, doing that work.”
And as much as Vincent relished being a professor, he’s just as excited about the impact he looks to have from the president’s office.
“What you’re able to do as an administrator is have an exponential impact,” he said. “There are only 37 UNCF (United Negro College Fund) presidents so, individually and collectively, we’re working to shape educational policy and provide access to young people, and to live up to this noble and sacred mission laid out by the founders of Talladega (College) to educate the generations of young people. I do think you have that ability, so it’s not either/or, it’s both.”
Read entire article here.
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AAICU Welcomes Ambassadors to Montgomery |
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AAICU Ambassadors from Stillman College, Oakwood University, and Spring Hill College traveled to Montgomery during the legislative session to see their lawmakers in action. The students and their mentors watched various bills being debated on both the Senate and House floor and sat down with legislators from their school's district to thank them for their support of independent colleges. |
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Stillman College Ambassador Ta'Kari Bryant and Mentor Lanita Bostic visit with Senator Gerald Allen. |
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Oakwood University Ambassador Simone Vaughn and Mentor Kerry Joseph met Senator Tom Butler. |
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Spring Hill College Ambassador Michelle Motes and Mentor Dr. Nathan Copeland meet Spring Hill alumna Representative Adline Clarke. |
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Judson College Archives Donated to Samford University’s Special Collection for Preservation |
The historical archives of Judson College in Marion will be safe, preserved and accessible going forward, according to officials at Judson and Samford University in Birmingham.
The Special Collection department of Samford’s library has added Judson’s archives to its mission of “preserving, protecting and providing access” to the history of Alabama Baptist institutions Howard College and Samford University.
The truckload of records, catalogs, yearbooks, scrapbooks and photographs arrived at Samford May 6.
Judson president Daphne Robinson announced the decision via email to alumnae May 5.
“Judson College and the board of trustees are pleased to announce that the historical archives relating to the Judson story and its history with Alabama Baptists is being added to the Special Collection department of the Samford Library at Samford University. … We are grateful for the collaboration with Samford to preserve these materials for all to know the Judson story.” Kimmetha Herndon, dean of Samford’s library and curator of Special Collection, said, “We are honored that we are going to have this opportunity to preserve Judson’s history, our sister institution, and add it alongside Samford’s history as well as Alabama Baptists’ history.
“That [the archives are] here at Samford ensures preservation well into the future,” she said. “Alabama Baptists can come and see the beginnings of both Howard and Judson.”
Robinson added that even though it has been a sad journey, “God has brought us all to work as one and all three Alabama Baptist schools can remain forever connected since the University of Mobile has Judson’s transcripts and Samford now has the archives.”
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47 New Doctors of Veterinary Medicine Recognized During Tuskegee's 2022 Spring Commencement |
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The Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine (TUCVM) Class of 2022 had 47 new doctors of veterinary medicine recognized on April 30. Tuskegee University held its in-person Spring Commencement Graduate and Professional Schools Ceremony at the General “Chappie” James Center followed by the college’s in-person Veterinary Medicine Oath and Hooding Ceremony at the university’s Chapel. Thirty of the 47 students graduated with honors. They included four “Summa Cum Laude,” eight “Magna Cum Laude” and 18 “Cum Laude.” Both ceremonies were live-streamed for those not in attendance to view and are also available on the university’s YouTube channel for anyone who missed them to view later.
Immediately after the April 30 commencement, veterinary medicine graduates participated in the veterinary medicine oath and hooding ceremony where Dr. Ruby L. Perry, dean of the veterinary medicine college, presided over the program. Dr. Roslyn Casimir, associate dean for academic affairs; Dr. Ebony Gilbreath, head of the Department of Pathobiology/assistant to the dean for Clinical Competencies and Strategic Initiatives; and Dr. Temesgen Samuel, associate dean for Research and Advanced Studies, provided assistance during the presentation and hooding of the Class of 2022.
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Spring Hill College Launches Master of Public Health Program |
Spring Hill College recently announced a new Master of Public Health program. Students can complete the program in two years and it has received approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The program is currently accepting students and will have six admission cycles per year. Courses are offered in an accelerated format (7-week sessions) and are completely online.
The initial Master of Public Health (MPH) program will consist of a general public health curriculum, with plans to introduce up to three concentrations after the first two years of the program’s implementation: (1) Social and Behavioral Sciences; (2) Healthcare Policy and Advocacy; and (3) Community Engagement and Health Education. The program will begin in the fall semester of 2022.
Lisa Hager, PhD, interim provost, said, “Spring Hill is excited to offer a Master of Public Health as well as an undergraduate minor in public health. Public health professionals are needed at local, regional, and national levels and these programs are a perfect fit for our mission to educate and develop students in the Jesuit tradition to become responsible leaders in care and service to others.”
The lack of public health infrastructure in the United States has been a critical concern for decades and has only been exacerbated by the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health is now one of the fastest-growing fields in the US with public health experts in extremely high demand in various capacities.
According to the Alabama Office of Primary Care and Rural Health, almost every county in the state has been categorized as a medically under served area, meaning they experience a significant shortage of healthcare providers which, in turn, impacts the quality and access of health care in affected populations.
Spring Hill’s program is designed to appeal to individuals interested in a career in health professions outside of the more traditional programs of medicine, nursing, physical therapy, etc. Given the increased relevancy of public health, many individuals are learning about this field for the first time, providing previously unknown opportunities to positively impact the health and well-being of others.
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City Recognizes Talladega College Interns |
The first group of Talladega College interns to go to work for the city of Talladega through the CareerLIFE program were recognized and thanked for their service during a reception at Heritage Hall earlier this week.
The program seeks to cultivate success in students and retain local talent via internships, co-ops and workforce development, according to a release from the city. Participants gained work experience, networked, developed job skills, made connections and left feeling better prepared for the workforce. They also picked up additional skills relating to goal setting, interview readiness, career exploration and time management through CareerLIFE training sessions. Read complete story here.
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Did You Know? Occupations that Need More Education for Entry are Projected to Grow Faster Than Average
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AAICU's network of providers offers goods and services to the independent higher education community. Click here for more information on business partners.
While life is starting to return to normal after more than two years of instability caused by a global pandemic, it’s no secret that campus administrators are seeing a mental health crisis at their institutions.
In fact, the most recent findings from the American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment show that about 50 percent of student respondents reported having moderate psychological distress, while more than 20 percent reported having serious psychological distress. This can have a serious impact on retention, academic success, and career readiness.
That’s why Vector Solutions developed Mental Well-Being for Students, co-developed with The Jed Foundation, and partnered with TimelyMD to offer free, on-demand mental health services. Click here for more information.
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