Penn State offers fellowships to American Indian students

Penn State offers fellowships to American Indian students

University Park, Pa. --- Penn State University is offering graduate fellowships to American Indian and Alaska Native students interested in becoming school principals. Participants will earn a master degree in Educational Administration with principalship certification.

The fellowships are affiliated with Penn State's nationally recognized American Indian Leadership Program (AILP). The program is supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. According to Dr. John Tippeconnic, director of the AILP and a professor at Penn State, "the principalship preparation program represents an opportunity for committed individuals to assume leadership positions as principals and truly make a difference in the education of young Native people and their families."

Dr. Susan Faircloth, assistant professor of education, is co director of the grant.

The primary purpose of this project is to prepare American Indian and Alaska Natives, over a three-year period, to be effective school principals in schools that serve significant numbers of Indian students. Students will be recruited nationally and take principalship jobs throughout the country. The three-year project will include two years on the campus of Penn State University completing the requirements for a master's degree in educational administration with principalship certification followed by a year of induction services in the field.

Students will attend seminars, take courses, and participate in internships that prepare them to be school principals. Emphasis will be on being an effective principal in schools that serve large numbers of American Indian and Alaska Native students. Leadership development will be a constant focus. Induction activities during the third year will help ensure a successful and effective transition from the Penn State academic program to being a principal in a school.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2005 spring semester. The fellowships include a monthly stipend of $1,775 per month, dependency support, tuition, textbooks and relocation allowances.

For more information contact Dr. Tippeconnic, American Indian Leadership Program, Suite 300 Rackley Building, University Park, Pa. 16802, or at 814-863-1626 or jwt7@psu.edu by email. Dr. Susan Faircloth is at 814-863-3775 or sef2@psu.edu by email.