Manhattanville College Awarded Nearly $1 Million Grant to Enhance Teacher Preparation Programs

PURCHASE, N.Y. - Manhattanville College has been selected to receive a grant of $997,439 from the New York State Office of Strategic Workforce Development (OSWD) and the State University of New York (SUNY). The grant will fund the proposal, “Teaching Assistant to Teacher of Record: Investing in Our Local Workforce,” as part of the Education Workforce Investment Alternative Teacher Certification Program, over a four-year period beginning in July of this year.

The project, a collaboration between Manhattanville's School of Education, Rockland Teachers' Center Institute, and Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES, aims to enhance the delivery of teacher preparation programs and ultimately improve K-12 education in Westchester, Rockland, and Putnam Counties.

"I am enormously proud of our Manhattanville staff and faculty who made this happen," said Frank D. Sanchez, Ph.D., President of Manhattanville College. "This project will provide a tremendous benefit for school districts throughout Westchester, Rockland, and Putnam Counties, ultimately helping them better serve K-12 students in the coming years. We are deeply appreciative of the support from the State of New York as we work to advance our schools districts across the region."

The grant will enable Manhattanville College to further strengthen its partnerships and expand its efforts in preparing highly qualified teachers. Brian V. Carolan, Ph.D., Dean of the Manhattanville School of Education, expressed gratitude for the funding, stating, "Here at the School of Education at Manhattanville, we have a long history of forging partnerships to enhance the delivery of our top-notch teacher preparation programs. This project will help us do this even better. We are very grateful to the State of New York for funding this work that will ultimately enhance K-12 education in the area."

The partnership between Manhattanville College, the Rockland Teachers' Center Institute and Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES will allow for the development of innovative programs and initiatives that will benefit both aspiring teachers and K-12 students in the region. Central to the proposed project is the development and approval by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) of five alternative teacher preparation programs leading to a Transitional B teaching certificate. These include pathways for those looking to go into Early Childhood/Childhood and Special Education, Mathematics and Special Education, Science and Special Education, and Teaching English as a Second Language. Candidates in these programs will also be able to receive an additional bilingual certification. All those admitted into this program will have 100% of tuition and fees covered.

Manhattanville College has long been known for making a positive impact on the local workforce and the education system, preparing highly skilled and dedicated educators. "At Manhattanville, our mission is to educate ethical and socially responsible leaders in a global community," said Christine Dehne, M.F.A., Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at Manhattanville College. "By design this grant will greatly enhance our mission-driven work by directly connecting the education we provide with a tangible impact which is beneficial to area school districts."

About Manhattanville: Manhattanville College is a private liberal arts institution dedicated to academic excellence, purposeful education, and social justice. For three years in a row, “U.S. News and World Report” has ranked Manhattanville the number one private, non-profit institution in New York among Top Performers of Social Mobility in Regional Universities North. Located 30 miles from New York City on a 100-acre suburban campus in the heart of Westchester County, Manhattanville enables easy access to entertainment offerings, educational resources, and business opportunities for its primarily residential and diverse student body. The college serves more than 1,300 undergraduate students and nearly 1,000 graduate students from more than 44 countries and 33 states. Founded in 1841, the college offers more than 75 undergraduate and graduate areas of study in the arts and sciences, education, nursing and health sciences, business, and creative writing, as well as continuing and executive education programs. Graduate students can choose from over 70 graduate and certificate programs. Extracurricular offerings include more than 45 clubs and activities and 23 NCAA Division III teams. 
 
Manhattanville has also been recognized by “U.S. News and World Report” for Ethic Diversity. The college has earned a designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education, a recognition of its diverse student population. For more than six consecutive years, Manhattanville has been named to the Colleges of Distinction list which recognizes colleges that excel in student engagement, great teaching, vibrant communities, and successful outcomes. The college is also among those that have earned the Equity and Inclusion badge from Colleges of Distinction, while continuing to be recognized for excellence with Business, Education, and Career Development badges. The school is also one of the few to offer an undergraduate certificate in design thinking, giving students a leg up with employers looking for critical thinking skills.

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Contact:
Cara Cea
Senior Communications Officer
Cara.cea@mville.edu 
914-323-1278