The University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP) School of Education recently received a $1.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to increase the number of American Indian administrators in the state’s public school districts with a large American Indian student population, university officials said.
The five-year grant will support the First Americans’ Educational Leadership (FAEL) project, which will provide financial assistance, professional development and mentoring support to American Indian students pursuing a Master of School Administration degree or an Add-on Licensure in School Administration at UNCP.
“The School of Education is so honored to be funded by the U.S. Department of Education for this grant,” said Dr. Alfred Bryant, dean of the School of Education. “We have a very successful track record receiving U.S. Department of Education grants aimed at increasing the number of American Indian teachers. However, this is the first time we have received this grant that increases the number of American Indian school administrators.”
FAEL will serve 20 students – an inaugural cohort of 10 students will be enrolled in January 2019, and another 10 students will be enrolled by January 2020. UNCP will partner with the Lumbee Tribe, Public Schools of Robeson County, Hoke County Schools and Scotland County Schools to provide training and place project participants, officials said.