University Makes New York Times
"Colleges of Many Colors" List

Recently, St. Edward’s joined Harvard, MIT and Stanford as one of 57 private universities and 81 public schools noted by The New York Times in its "Colleges of Many Colors" list. St. Edward’s and Rice University were the only two private universities in Texas to make the list. St. Edward’s is a leader locally as well with minorities making up 41.5 percent of the undergraduate student body compared to 29.5 percent at other Texas private schools.

This recognition reflects the university’s long-standing commitment to providing higher education opportunities to students of all ages and of varied cultural, religious, educational and economic backgrounds. Past commendations for diversity include national recognition from Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education Magazine as one of the "Top 100 Schools Graduating Hispanics" and inclusion in the guidebook Colleges with a Conscience.

2 + 2 + 2 Jumpstart = Success for Minority Teachers

And, a new university initiative promises to further the success of minorities throughout Central Texas. Just as the College Assistance Migrant Program, or CAMP, helps underserved students from migrant and seasonal farm worker backgrounds with financial assistance, tutoring and counseling, the upcoming 2 + 2 + 2 Jumpstart program will facilitate the recruitment and induction of teachers.

Funded by a $120,000 grant from the Sid Richardson Foundation, Jumpstart is designed to recruit area high school students from underserved backgrounds into the teaching profession. Beginning in Fall 2008, up to 60 interested high school students in the Austin Independent School District will be eligible to enroll in Jumpstart.

In this way, says Karen Embry Jenlink, dean of the School of Education and creator of the program, Jumpstart is a “grow-your-own” program that will allow local leaders, academic partners and other regional stakeholders to cultivate and sustain a new generation of teachers and community leaders. “For many of our high school students, college is outside of their grasp,” she says. “It takes high school teachers working with college faculty and community leaders to inspire that vision and make the transformation happen. This may become the model for teacher preparation in the 21st century.”

Send an e-mail to refer a candidate for Jumpstart or get more details about this important and innovative program.

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