Prince George's County Administrators Focus on Student Achievement

Administrators from Prince George’s County Public Schools will gather together June 28-30, 2010 at Northwestern High School for the annual Summer Leadership Conference. Focusing on the message of this year’s conference – Framing the Future: Committing to Results – principals and assistant principals will attend workshops on instructional strategies, interventions, and system initiatives.

The three-day conference will open on June 28 with greetings from the Board of Education Chair Verjeana M. Jacobs, Esq., and remarks from School Superintendent Dr. William R. Hite, Jr. who will unveil the school district’s five new goals for the upcoming school year. Charlotte Danielson will serve as this year’s guest speaker.

Danielson is the creator of the Framework for Teaching model which PGCPS currently uses for its work with teacher effectiveness.

An Interview with Dr. Ernest McNealy, President of Stillman College

The Journey Begins, Internet Radio for the engaged parent and dedicated educator will air an exclusive interview with Dr. Ernest McNealy, President of Stillman College. Dr. McNealy sat down with Ms. Michel S. Davis-Robinson on the set of the iCollege Tour Series to discuss the role of small colleges and how they are remaining vital in the competitive world of postsecondary education.

Dr. Ernest McNealey, Stillman College’s fifth president, is an educational leader, artist, and advocate for the common good. Dr. McNealey’s academic appointments have been marked by increasing levels of responsibility. He began as an instructor of art at a four-year college and, prior to assuming the Stillman presidency, had advanced to a Deanship at a Carnegie I research institution.

Dr. McNealey has been at the forefront of educational initiatives, serving in key leadership roles. Among his professional activities has been the following: Member, APCURM Board of Directors (Presently); Member, NCAA D-II Presidents Council (Presently); Member, Board for the HBCU Capital Financing Program (2006 - 2009); Member, Southern Education Foundation HBCU Advisory Board (Presently); President, Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities (2003-2004); Treasurer, Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities (2004- 2005); Member, Educational Testing Service – HBCUs Advisory Board (2002 – Present); Chairman (Presently), Member of the Board, National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (2002-2008); Member, Honda Campus All-Star Challenge Program Advisory Committee (Presently); Member, Paul R. Jones Collection Advisory Board (Presently); Member of the Board, United Negro College Fund (2002-2004); Commissioner, Southern Association for Colleges and Schools (2001-2006); Executive Council, SACS/COC (2005 - 2006); Director, National Bank of Commerce, Tuscaloosa, Al. (1997-2005); Member, Board of Directors, Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra (1998-2003); Member, Governor’s Office of Employee Relations, SUNY Management Negotiating Team with the United University Professions Union (1995-97); and Executive Editor, The Journal of Undergraduate Research, The State University of New York at Stony Brook (1994-97). Presently, he is active in the areas of planning, assessment, and accreditation.

Dr. McNealey was also an award-winning artist, having garnered honors in juried exhibitions, including an award from Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry. He has completed commissions from major corporations, including Anheuser-Busch and R.J. Reynolds, and rendered numerous designs for a variety of civic and social associations.

Dr. McNealey holds a Ph.D. from Ohio State University, a master’s from Indiana University, a Bachelor’s from Alabama State University, and a certificate on the Academic Presidency from Harvard University. He is a member and elder at Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, and a founding member of 100 Black Men of West Alabama.

An Exclusive Interview With Dr. Terrance E. Suarez, president of Mountain Empire Community College

Dr. Terrance E. Suarez will appear on The Journey Begins Internet Radio for the engaged parent and dedicated educator to discuss the issue of Remedial Education and some of the innovative approaches Mountain Empire Community College has taken to support the academic achievement of students enrolled in remedial education courses.

Dr. Terrance E. Suarez became president of Mountain Empire Community College on January 2, 2002.

Dr. Suarez has 37 years of experience in the Virginia Community College System, beginning as a founding faculty member at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College where he taught chemistry. In 1979, Dr. Suarez moved to Wytheville Community College and served as Division Chair of Allied Health and Science Programs. Later he served as Dean of Instruction and Student Services. He also served as Acting President during the fall term of 1999.

Dr. Suarez holds a doctorate in chemistry from the University of Kansas and a bachelor’s degree from Florida Presbyterian College (now Eckerd College) in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Since moving to Big Stone Gap, Virginia and Mountain Empire Community College, he has been active in economic development efforts and civic groups in the region. In addition to serving on the Board of the Virginia Economic Bridge, he serves on the Board of Directors for the Wise County Chamber of Commerce, the Virginia Workforce Network, the Cove Ridge Center Foundation, Pro-Art, Lonesome Pine Arts & Crafts, the Southwest Virginia MTC, Wellmont Lonesome Pine Hospital, Southwest Virginia Workforce Investment Board and the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science.

He is also active in the Kiwanis Club of Big Stone Gap, the Lee County Chamber of Commerce, the Virginia Coalfield Coalition, and many other local and regional organizations. Dr. Suarez was also presented the Distinguished Service Award from the Wytheville Kiwanis Club.

As president of Mountain Empire Community College, one of Dr. Suarez’s priorities has been to work with area school systems to improve existing partnerships and develop joint projects that address the changing needs of students in the region.

He plans to retire on June 30, 2010.