HU named site for VA Education policy fellowship program

Hampton, VA - Hampton University's College of Education and Continuing Studies has been named the state site for the Virginia Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP). Sponsored by the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) in Washington, D.C., the program is a 10-month professional development program for emerging leaders in education and related fields.

The goal for Virginia's EPFP is to develop strategic, executive leaders in public and private organizations who have the capacity to create and implement sound public policy to improve educational outcomes for children, youth and adults.

Along with the national EPFP program strands of leadership, public policy and professional networking, the Virginia EPFP curriculum has a unique focus addressing the nexus of ethics, diversity and educational empowerment. Across a 10-month program, from September through June, Fellows will meet once per month for approximately four hours.

"This program is to help train and advance individuals into key roles," stated Dr. Cassandra Herring, dean of the HU College of Education and Continuing Studies. "These really are the people that will shape education policy."

Dr. Maurice Berube, eminent scholar emeritus of educational leadership and counseling for Old Dominion University, has been named the site coordinator for Virginia's EPFP.

EPFP was created in 1964 with funding from the Ford Foundation in anticipation of the explosive growth of the federal role in education under the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act and related Great Society legislation.

In total, EPFP operates at 19 sites throughout the United States and organizes two annual conferences - the Leadership Forum and the Washington Policy Seminar. More than 6,400 EPFP alumni now work and lead in all sectors of American life: K-12 and higher education organizations; local, state, and federal government agencies; public policy groups; foundations and nonprofits; and corporations.

A statewide recruitment for Virginia Fellows is underway through July 30 with the program commencing in September. Applicants should be mid-career professionals with experience or interest in education or educational policy.

For more information, please contact Dr. Cassandra Herring at (757) 637-2072 or Dr. Maurice Berube at (757) 637-2200. To apply visit www.virginiaEPFP.org.

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