OKLAHOMA CITY––Langston University, Oklahoma’s only historically Black college or university, has been awarded a $1.25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Servies (OSERS) to establish a new specialized course of study to prepare personnel to serve school-age children with mental disabilities.
The grant, which will total $1.25 million over five years, will be used to establish the “School-to-Work: Preparing Personnel to Serve School-Age Children with Mental Disabilities (STW-SACMD)” track within the university’s existing CACREP accredited Master’s of Science Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling Program. Dr. Corey L. Moore, a professor in and the founding chair of the Department of Rehabilitation and Disability Studies, will serve as Project Director for this grant.
Moore is also the Principal Investigator at the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR)-funded Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Research and Capacity Building for Minority Entities (LU-RRTC) and Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Advancing Employment Equity for Multiply Marginalized People with Disabilities (LU-2ERRTC).
“This initiative is important to the field of disability and employment as it affords our program the opportunity to train and prepare our students for rehabilitation positions that serve school-age children with mental disabilities from minority backgrounds to achieve a smoother transition from the secondary grade school system to the world of work,” Moore said.
The STW-SACMD project presents an exceptional approach to student development through LU’s partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services, Tulsa Public Schools and other local education agencies in Oklahoma.
Significant attention will be devoted to cross-fertilizing STW-SACMD and on-going LU-RRTC and LU-2ERRTC trainings, including with webinars and community of practices, to increase students’ knowledge about the delivery of transition and mental health services to school-age children with mental disabilities from minority backgrounds. The goal is to increase the supply of fully credentialed rehabilitation and mental health professionals from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds available for employment in local educational and/or rehabilitation agencies.
The grant will pay for tuition and fees and will provide a living stipend for 36 students in the Rehabilitation Counseling Program, which was ranked #19 and highest across all HBCUs by the U.S. News & World Report in the publication’s 2023 rankings of Rehabilitation Counseling Programs in America.
“I am immensely proud of the continued success of Dr. Moore and scholars within Langston University’s Department of Rehabilitation and Disability Studies,” said Dr. Ruth Ray Jackson, President of Langston University. “This $1.25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education is further evidence of the impact of their work in preparing our students for success and addressing needs across underserved communities.
“This significant investment supports our institutional priorities of offering quality academic programs, engaging in purposeful partnerships, and ensuring access to education for all.”
This OSERS priority (ALN 84.325M) focuses on personnel preparation of special education, early intervention, and related services personnel at HBCUs, Tribally controlled colleges and universities, and other minority-serving Institutions under focus area (B)- preparing personnel to serve school-age children with disabilities.
The funded STW-SACMD initiative at LU is in direct response to identified needs related to personnel development issues and demands and the improvement of services and results for school-age children with mental disabilities, especially those from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds, including those who are multilingual.
LANGSTON, Okla. — In an exhilarating blend of education and sportsmanship, over 30 Langston University students had the exclusive opportunity to step into the fast-paced world of professional sports with a career-focused visit to the headquarters of the Oklahoma City Thunder, the freshly crowned No. 1 seed in the NBA’s Western Conference.
As the Thunder gears up for a promising playoff season, students from the School of Business, the Department of Communications, and the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation attended the “Careers in Sports Event with OKC Thunder.” This initiative is part of an ongoing effort to strengthen ties with leading organizations and open new horizons for students.
Professor Ralph Grayson, Chair of the Computer Science and Management Information Systems Departments, spearheaded the event and emphasized the importance of integrating practical experiences with academic learning.
“Our students are not just studying the theory; they are out here, experiencing real-world applications of what we teach,” Professor Grayson said.
Langston University students get a rare opportunity to network with professionals in The Thunder organization.
During the visit, students participated in roundtable discussions, engaged in panel sessions, and enjoyed a comprehensive tour of the Thunder’s arena. They interacted with team executives who discussed various roles within the sports industry, from analytics and event management to health and player development.
Professor Carolyn Ross from the Department of Communications highlighted the transformative nature of the experience.
“Learning about media relations or sports marketing in a classroom is one thing,” Professor Ross said. “It’s another to see those roles in action during the high stakes of NBA playoffs.”
The event provided valuable professional insights and showcased the potential career paths available within the sports industry. Both professors intend to foster this budding relationship, ensuring continued student engagement and learning opportunities.
LANGSTON, Okla. – Students running around, laughing and having fun while their university’s president teaches them how to play pickleball is probably not what you’d expect to see on a college campus gearing up for midterms, but that’s what awaited any who made their way to the university tennis courts on Friday afternoon.
Langston University’s Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (LUAHPERD) and the ROARS Peer Educators held a “Cruising Into Midterms” event on Friday, which featured bike riding, pickup basketball and Pickleball with the President. The event was open to all students, and many took a break from studying to come hang out with their friends and decompress as they prepared for midterms.
“One of the priorities of the year is programming,” said Interim President Ruth Ray Jackson. “So, I’m very excited to see the HPER clubs adding programming to support good health and destressing for our students as they prepare for midterm exams.”
President Jackson encouraged everyone who came to pick up a paddle and hit the court, and many students were more than happy to learn a new sport from their president. Others preferred to ride bikes with their friends, and some just wanted to relax in the fresh air. Everyone who came was happy for a chance to get out of their rooms and stretch their legs before the grind of midterms fully began.
Kyara Swanson, a senior physical education major, said she thought the event was a fun way to relax, clear her mind and shake off some nerves as she prepared for her upcoming exams.
“Just simply riding the bikes or doing anything physical, it helps with your mental health,” Swanson said. “It helps you just clear your mind sometimes. You know, you’re in college and sometimes you just need a break.”
Giving students a break was the entire idea behind Cruising Into Midterms.
Dr. Desmond Delk, the chair of the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation and one of the faculty advisors for LUAHPERD, said the goal of the event was to remind people to take care of their mental and physical health because doing so will help them succeed in their classes.
“We’re prioritizing mental health, we’re prioritizing physical activity, and we’re encouraging collaboration between our faculty, staff and students,” Dr. Delk said. “I really commend the students on organizing everything, promoting the activity and really just coming out and enjoying themselves.”
The event lasted two hours, and President Jackson was there the whole time, playing pickleball and getting to know the students. Laughs could be heard on and off the court, and many students were happy for an opportunity to spend time with their president and their peers.
“I have had a blast sharing my love of pickleball with our Langston University students,” President Jackson said. “I’m excited that there’s great interest, and perhaps in the future we can add this as part of our recreational programming.”
LANGSTON, Okla. –The Langston University School of Education and Behavioral Sciences announced that United States Magistrate Judge Bernard M. Jones will keynote the 2016 Ira D. Hall and Rubye Hibler Hall Endowed Lecture Series at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 8, 2016. Named in honor of Langston University alumni Ira D. Hall and Rubye Hibler Hall, the annual lecture series exists to commemorate the Halls and their commitment to education.
The Honorable Bernard M. Jones was appointed United States Magistrate Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma on July 31, 2015, becoming the first African American in the state of Oklahoma to serve in this capacity. Prior to his appointment to the federal bench, Judge Jones served as a District Judge for Oklahoma’s Seventh Judicial District. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Southern Methodist University, and obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Notre Dame Law School. Born and reared in northeast Oklahoma City, Judge Jones is active in the community and currently serves as a Director for the Boy Scouts of America’s Last Frontier Council and as a Trustee of the Ralph Ellison Foundation. The Journal Record, Oklahoma Magazine, and OKC Biz have recognized him as one of Oklahoma’s Achievers Under 40, among other noteworthy achievements.
Initially established by Rubye Hibler Hall in 1989 to honor her husband Ira D. Hall, the series was renamed to honor the contributions of both upon Mrs. Hall’s passing in 2003. Ira D. Hall was principal of several schools, superintendent of Clearview School and assistant director of all black high schools for the Oklahoma Education Department. Rubye Hibler Hall was the first African American appointed to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. She was with the Oklahoma City School District 43 years, beginning in 1932 as a teacher, speech pathologist, psychometrist, diagnostician and consultant.
Langston University is located 12 miles east of Guthrie, Oklahoma. Founded in 1897, Langston University boasts three campuses located in Langston, Oklahoma City and Tulsa. The University offers more than 38 degree programs, including five masters degrees and one doctoral program. To learn more, please visit the Langston University website at http://www.langston.edu.
NASA Oklahoma EPSCoR awarded $36,000 to Langston professor, Randy Hunt, Ph. D. and the School of Education and Behavioral Science to produce effective, informed, and reflective future STEM scientists capable of independent practice and professional growth in college STEM programs.
The grant entitled, “Investing in STEM Student Diversity through NASA Ames Astrobiology Mentoring Modeling: Chemistry, Mathematical, and Computer Models” is a response to increase student diversity in Astrobiology knowledge for 15 STEM college students. Hunt serves as the faculty mentor and will mentor the Astrobiology students and develop ongoing relationships with its STEM mentors and partners.
“We are grateful for the financial support of STEM research at Langston University and look forward to sharing the results next year,” said Hunt.
Langston offers more than 38 degree programs, including 5 masters degrees and one doctoral program. Langston University is located 12 miles east of Guthrie, Oklahoma. Among 2,400 teacher preparation programs, Langston University’s elementary program ranks number one among all HBCU’s and in the top ten for its secondary (middle and high school) programs by the National Council on teacher quality. To learn more about the School of Education & Behavioral Sciences, visit http://www.langston.edu/academics/school/education-and-behavioral-sciences/.
LANGSTON, Okla. – The School of Education and Behavioral Sciences at Langston University hosted the Ira D. Hall and Rubye Hibler Hall Endowed Lecture Series on March 10, 2015. Students, faculty, staff and special guests gathered in honor of Langston graduates Rubye and Ira D. Hall, for whom the annual lecture series is named.
The guest speaker was the Honorable Alcee L. Hastings, a United States Representative for District 20 in Florida, who is currently serving his 12th term in Congress. He highly encouraged students to take advantage of opportunities to become campus leaders.
“Leadership is the cornerstone of this country and Langston University plays a fundamental role in shaping our leaders,” Hastings said.
Hastings is a graduate of Fisk University and earned a Juris Doctorate in law from Florida A&M University. He challenged the students to learn a second language, and said it is “critically important for your career survival.”
Langston offers more than 38 degree programs, including 5 master’s degrees and one doctoral program. Langston University is located 12 miles east of Guthrie, Oklahoma. To learn more about Langston University, please visit http://www.langston.edu.
LANGSTON, Okla. – Langston University School of Education & Behavioral Sciences has received a $3,000 grant from the NASA Oklahoma Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (NASA Oklahoma EPSCoR) and a $9,000 grant from the Oklahoma Teacher Connection.
The NASA Oklahoma EPSCoR grant provides funding for a travel grant to develop STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) education in collaboration with the NASA Ames Research Center. The goal is to gain hands-on knowledge of Astrobiology. Langston University School of Education and Behavioral Sciences pre-service teachers will partner with AMES Research Center scientists to implement a space science curriculum.
“I will have the opportunity to travel with two STEM majors to AMES Research Center,” said Randy Hunt, Ph. D., Professor of the School of Education & Behavioral Sciences.
“The research information gained from the NASA Ames Pre-Service teacher trip will be used to develop space science lesson plans and curriculum for classroom teachers. The students will present their field trip information to the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences and School of Arts and Sciences to faculty and students once returned.”
“Oklahoma Teacher Connection Grant will directly impact the Langston University’s Tulsa campus,” said Ruth R. Jackson, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences. “Oklahoma Teacher Connection partners with Langston University to reduce obstacles for paraprofessionals’ education and provided advancement into teaching in the Tulsa Public Schools.”
The program will provide current paraprofessionals and teachers’ assistants in Tulsa Public Schools with year-long small group seminars and individualized tutoring sessions embedded in college preparation experiences focused on academic policies, advising, financial planning, test-taking skills, time management, technological skills, and the Oklahoma Career Development Program for Paraprofessionals to promote recruitment and placement of minority populations in the teaching profession.
Grants were awarded to the following individuals:
Project Director: Randy Hunt, Ph. D.; The School of Education & Behavioral Sciences
Project Director: Lisa Weis, Ph. D.; The School of Education & Behavioral Sciences
Langston offers more than 38 degree programs, including 5 masters degrees and one doctoral program. Langston University is located 12 miles east of Guthrie, Oklahoma. For more information on the School of Education & Behavioral Sciences at Langston University, visit https://langston.edu/academics/school/education-and-behavioral-sciences/.
