FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Courtney Davis
Assistant Director for Public Relations
Prince George’s Community College
daviscl@pgcc.edu
Prince George’s Community College Announces Partnership with the University of Maryland and Prince George’s County Public Schools
Middle College program designed to address statewide critical teacher shortage
LARGO, Md. (December 1, 2020) – Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) announced today a new Teacher Preparation Program partnership with the University of Maryland and Prince George’s County Public Schools designed to address a critical shortage of certified teachers in the county and larger region.
The new Middle College program partnership allows students to obtain an associate degree while in high school and prepares them to complete a teaching degree at the University of Maryland. Although graduates are not required to begin their teaching careers in Prince George’s County, the Teacher Preparation Program seeks to increase the number of certified teachers throughout the county and state.
“We are enthusiastic about working together with the University of Maryland to extend possibilities for our students. This collaboration guarantees support that prepares students for success and timely completion, removes barriers to transfer, and clarifies pathways to the four-year degree,” said Dr. Mara Doss, associate vice president for Teaching, Learning, and Student Success at Prince George’s Community College.
The Teacher Preparation Program at Prince George’s Community College, established in 2017 as part of the Academy of Health Sciences (AHS), provides dual enrollment students with an opportunity to earn an associate degree. The Teacher Preparation Program will graduate its inaugural cohort of 31 students with an Associate of Arts in Teaching spring 2021. The Program aligns with academic programs at Bowie State University, Howard University, and the University of Maryland to ensure a seamless transfer of students.
“The collaboration is a reflection of our commitment to developing innovative new pathways to prepare an excellent and diverse teacher workforce for Prince George’s County Public Schools and for Maryland. This model of ‘growing your own’ teachers will increase diversity in the education field, develop teachers from the local community, and address critical teaching shortages,” said Dr. Jennifer King Rice, dean of the University of Maryland College of Education.
“The students are high achievers from historically underrepresented and low-income backgrounds. The partnership will prove invaluable in helping to close educational equity gaps that have become more apparent in this pandemic-impacted learning environment,” added Dr. Doss.
Early and Middle College programs at Prince George’s Community College primarily serve first-generation and other underrepresented students. Approximately 51% of students at Prince George’s Community College identify as “first-generation.” Enrollment in the College’s dual and concurrent enrollment programs has more than doubled in recent years, with total enrollment across programs at more than 1,000 students.
Additional Early College and Middle College programs offered at Prince George’s Community College include: Information Technology Early College (ITEC), Academy of Health Sciences (AHS), Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH), and Prince George’s 3-D Scholars Program. These programs provide a pathway to success in high-demand fields for a diverse group of students.
To learn more about the Teacher Preparation Program at Prince George’s Community College, click here.
About Prince George’s Community College
Named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance designated by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security (2015-2020), Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) provides high-quality education and training for the progressive and career-oriented residents of Prince George’s County. From new high school graduates and career seekers to more seasoned professionals and senior citizens looking to enhance their skillsets, PGCC is comprised of students who represent a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and goals. Serving nearly 35,000 individuals annually, the College is the first choice for higher education for residents of Prince George’s County. Collaborative partnerships, responsive degree and training programs, and a commitment to student success enables PGCC to address diverse education and workforce development demands.
For more information, visit the college website at www.pgcc.edu. Prince George’s Community College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104; (267-284-5000); www.msche.org. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.
About the University of Maryland College of Education
The University of Maryland College of Education provides research– and practice–oriented programs through its three departments: Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership; Counseling, Higher Education and Special Education; and Human Development and Quantitative Methodology. College programs prepare students to be educators, counselors, psychologists, administrators, researchers, and educational specialists. The College is ranked among the top schools of education in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. For more information about the University of Maryland College of Education, visit education.umd.edu.
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