College of Education and Behavioral Sciences News

WKU has been awarded a $100,000 grant to expand scholarship programs that help diverse students become teachers and address the shortage of teachers from underrepresented backgrounds in Kentucky. 

The current Educator Diversity Program at WKU, The GameChangers, started in summer 2020 in partnership with Bowling Green Independent School District (BGISD) and Warren County Public Schools (WCPS). Students in the program complete field and student teaching experiences within the partner district, and receive mentoring, advising, as well as tutoring through WKU Intercultural Student Enrichment (ISEC) Center, the WKU Literacy Center, the Academic and Career Development Center (ACDC), the Office of Professional Education Services, and the WKU Office of Financial Aid. All program participants are supported through extensive tuition scholarships. All CEPD funds will be used to provide tuition scholarships to program participants.

Recruitment efforts will focus on district staff, adult learners, and undergraduate students. Once enrolled, the school districts and WKU co-sponsor student participation through a shared tuition model. 

Success of the program is defined by increases in the following outcome measures: first-time praxis pass rates, participant retention, participant licensure, job placement, job satisfaction, and participant workforce retention. Program participants incur a 1:1 service obligation to the sponsoring district for each year of scholarship support received. WKU school district partners will be well served by these newly certified teachers. 

For more information about the School of Teacher Education at WKU and education programs, visit wku.edu/ste.

Contact: Jessica Basham: Jessica.basham@wku.edu or 270-745-4030