Seattle Central Community College and City University partner to provide greater access to Teacher Certification programs
Seattle – Seattle Central Community College and City University celebrated American Education Week by signing a joint Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Beginning this spring, City University will offer flexible Teacher Certification programs, with endorsements in K-8 or special education K-12, on the Seattle Central campus in the evenings and on weekends. The partnership will make much needed teacher preparation programs accessible to local residents.
“Seattle Central is really pleased to announce this alliance,” said Seattle Central Community College President Dr. Mildred Ollee. “This has been a long timing coming and we know that this is just the beginning of a powerful partnership.”
Added City University’s Dr. Fernando Leon Garcia, Executive Vice President of Academics, “Seattle Central Community College and City University share the mission of making higher education accessible to individuals who may have encountered obstacles to fulfilling their professional dreams. The Seattle Central campus is conveniently located for Seattleites and we are happy to be associated with this outstanding community college.”
“Building upon Seattle Central’s Teacher Training/Education Program, the agreement will provide a seamless, community college to university program for community college students who want to become teachers,” explained Lisa Saunders, Seattle Central’s Teacher Training/Education Manager.
A key aspect of the Seattle Central/City University partnership is recruitment of students of color into the teaching workforce. According to a study by Recruiting New Teachers, Inc. (RNT), America’s teaching workforce has not kept pace with the increasing multiculturalism of the school-age population. Teachers of color make up approximately 14% of all current K-12 teachers. However, children of African American, Hispanic and Latino(a), Asian, and Native American descent make up 36% of the student population – and that percentage is increasing with each passing year.
“One of our main goals is to prepare teachers who reflect the students they serve,” said Dean of City University’s Albright School of Education, Dr. Margaret Davis. “Our alliance with Seattle Central Community College will give new credibility to this goal and create endless opportunities for our students to make a difference and create value for their future students.”
Seattle Central Community College was established as the city’s first community college in 1966 and has served the higher education and training needs of more than 325,000 students. The college was honored by TIME Magazine as a 2001-2002 College of the Year for its commitment to academic excellence and diversity. Innovative student services, unique educational programs, and a lively setting on Capitol Hill make Seattle Central unique among community colleges.
City University is a private not-for-profit institution with three schools fully accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities: The School of Management, The Gordon Albright School of Education, and The School of Arts and Sciences. With over 12,000 students and 39,000 alumni worldwide, City University is located in the Pacific Northwest with classes offered at locations throughout Washington, Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, Slovakia, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, the Czech Republic, and China.
At the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, representatives from City University and Seattle Central Community College were on hand to help celebrate.