7/17/2006

Contact: K.E. Schwab  -- 724-738-2199;  e-mail: karl.schwab@sru.edu

For photo of Shanel Winfield and Dr. Cleary: Click Here

FREDERICK DOUGLASS INSTITUTE AT SRU BRINGS

SIU DOCTORAL STUDENT TO CAMPUS CLASSROOM

     SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Shanel Winfield, a doctoral student from Southern Illinois University, has plans to teach at a university and is taking advantage of a Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Fredrick Douglass Institute summer program for minorities at Slippery Rock University to sharpen her classroom skills.

     Winfield is working with Dr. Michael Cleary, professor of health and safety, as part of his “Human Sexuality” summer class. “She has been an asset since day one,” says Cleary, pointing out that she draws out student questions and has built a strong rapport with the 21 students enrolled in the class. “She is very accessible to the students,” he adds.

     Dr. Christophas Walker, director of SRU’s Fredrick Douglass Institute, says the program is open to graduate students entering their final year of their terminal degree studies. “This is the first time we have offered the opportunity here at SRU,” he explains, adding the project was made possible by SRU’s Provost Dr. William Williams and cooperation from Dr. Jace Condravy, president of the Association of Pennsylvania State, College and University Faculty.

      “The purpose of the summer scholars program is to attract graduate students from historically underrepresented and underserved populations. Selected scholars will teach and/or co-teach one course during a five-week summer session. The scholars program is designed to give these graduate students teaching experience and to explore employment opportunities within the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, which is committed to cultural diversity. This is in keeping with the spirit of Douglass’ life of public service and the university’s mission to be a source of encouragement to the African American, Native American, Hispanic American and Asian American communities,” Walker says.

      Winfield, who is undertaking doctoral studies health education at SIU, previously taught classes at the University of Iowa while earning her master’s degree, and teaches “Consumer Health” and “Health Foundations” as part of her doctoral work. Her undergraduate degree was awarded by Southern University at New Orleans, but she adds the SRU experience is not part of her formal degree program. “It is an opportunity to teach and gain experience above that required for my doctorate.” She says she hopes to integrate her teaching interests with the use of technology – e-mail, the Internet – to deliver health information to those who traditionally have less access to the healthcare system.

     She learned of the program through the Chronicle of Higher Education and her department chair Dr. David Birch, a 1970 SRU graduate and former football player.

PN, PGN, WPN, PR, AA, S

Editor’s Note: Photo available from SRU news release Web site

DouglassSummer06.kes.doc