LU Receives Grant, Creates New Program in rcp
LANGSTON UNIVERSITY AWARDED U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION-OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION SERVICES GRANT TOTALING $1.25 MILLION TO PREPARE PERSONNEL TO SERVE SCHOOLAGE CHILDREN WITH MENTAL DISABILITIES
Langston University, Oklahoma’s only Historically Black College or University, has been awarded a $1.25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSERS) to establish a new specialized course of study to prepare personnel to serve school-age children with mental disabilities.
The grant, which will total $1.25 million over five years, will be used to establish the “School-to-Work: Preparing Personnel to Serve School-Age Children with Mental Disabilities (STWSACMD)” track within the university’s existing CACREP accredited Master’s of Science Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling Program. Dr. Corey L. Moore, a professor in and the founding chair of the Department of Rehabilitation and Disability Studies, will serve as Project Director for this grant.
Moore is also the Principal Investigator at the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR)-funded Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Research and Capacity Building for Minority Entities (LU-RRTC) and Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Advancing Employment Equity for Multiply Marginalized People with Disabilities (LU2ERRTC).
“This initiative is important to the field of disability and employment as it affords our program the opportunity to train and prepare our students for rehabilitation positions
that serve school-age children with mental disabilities from minority backgrounds to achieve a smoother transition from the secondary grade school system to the world of work,” Moore said.
The STW-SACMD project presents an exceptional approach to student development through LU’s partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services,Tulsa Public Schools and other local education agencies in Oklahoma.
Significant attention will be devoted to cross-fertilizing STW-SACMD and on-going LU-RRTC and LU-2ERRTC trainings, including with webinars and community of practices, to increase students’ knowledge about the delivery of transition and mental health services to school-age children with mental disabilities from minority backgrounds. The goal is to increase the supply of fully credentialed rehabilitation and mental health professionals from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds available for employment in local educational and/or rehabilitation agencies.
The grant will pay for tuition and fees and will provide a living stipend for 36 students in the Rehabilitation Counseling Program, which was ranked #19 and highest across all HBCUs by the U.S. News & World Report in the publication’s 2023 rankings of Rehabilitation Counseling Programs in America.
“I am immensely proud of the continued success of Dr. Moore and scholars within Langston University’s Department of Rehabilitation and Disability Studies,” said Dr. Ruth Ray Jackson, President of Langston University. “This $1.25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education is further evidence of the impact of their work in preparing our students for success and addressing needs across underserved communities.
“This significant investment supports our institutional priorities of offering quality academic programs, engaging in purposeful partnerships, and ensuring access to education for all.”
This OSERS priority (ALN 84.325M) focuses on personnel preparation of special education, early intervention, and related services personnel at HBCUs, Tribally controlled colleges and universities, and other minority-serving Institutions under focus area (B)- preparing personnel to serve school-age children with disabilities.
The funded STW-SACMD initiative at LU is in direct response to identified needs related to personnel development issues and demands and the improvement of services and results for school-age children with mental disabilities, especially those from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds, including those who are multilingual.
Internship Insured
MEDPRO + LANGSTON UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP CREATES CAREER OPPORTUNITES FOR STUDENTS
Four Langston University students participated in the MedPro Foundations of Insurance internship opportunity this summer.
Students interested in joining the Foundations of Insurance (FOI) internship opportunity will typically begin their journey by submitting resumes to MedPro during the Fall and Spring Career Fairs, and by attending informational sessions held on the Langston campus over the Spring semester. During the information sessions, MedPro will offer screening interviews, which marks the beginning of a student’s entry into the FOI Cohort.
The goal of the cohort is to provide students with the opportunity to gain exposure to the insurance industry, gain insight into the career/job pathways that exist in the industry, assist in their professional development and give them the opportunity to network with a resource in the industry (coaching). There are four components of the FOI program that students invited to join the cohort will be asked to participate in:
1. Speaker Series sessions: MedPro will bring to campus a series of speakers (typically 5 sessions) that the student cohort will have the opportunity to hear from and interact with during a session.
2. Coaching: Each student in the cohort is matched up one-onone with a coach (MedPro employee). The student and coach are asked to meet virtually 2-3 times while the student is active in the Foundations of Internship program. The discussions are typically driven on topics selected by the student (professional dev/career, academic support, etc.).
3. Immersion Trip: To wrap up program participation the cohort will travel to MedPro’s headquarters for a weekend immersion trip. During that time students will meet MedPro’s CEO, interact with other insurance executives and resources, and participate in multiple workshops (professional development focused).
4. Internship Interview: Students in the cohort are asked to determine if there is a career path/job within the industry that they are interested in exploring through an internship. Students that do see a connection/interest in an opportunity are then invited to apply for a summer internship position with MedPro or one of their partners.
MedPro provides Cohort students with an opportunity to interview for a summer internship in the area (job category) that they see as a potential area of career interest. Students will go through several rounds of internship interviews before a decision is made as to whether to extend an offer for summer internship employment. One of the benefits students have as participants in FOI is being matched with a MedPro employee volunteer. The student and coach are encouraged to connect, and the coach provides some pointers to support those students that do participate in the internship interview process.
“Langston University has been an invaluable partner in our Foundations of Insurance program,” said MedPro Inclusion and Engagement Leader Randy Walker. “Their commitment to student success aligns perfectly with our mission. We’ve been impressed by the caliber of students Langston has brought to the program. We want to continue to cultivate the relationship and provide LU students with invaluable industry exposure and opportunity.”
Student Intern Quotes with MedPro
Aaliyh Sesay
SENIOR, HEALTH ADMINISTRATION MAJOR HOMETOWN: KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
MEDPRO MARKETING–PROJECT MANAGEMENT INTERN
MEENA CALDWELL
SENIOR, BUSINESS MANAGEMENT MAJOR HOMETOWN: WICHITA, KANSAS MEDPRO
This was my first internship, my first experience within any corporate environment, so I was very nervous and anxious about the experience I was going to have. I learned that when being in an environment like this it is best to ask questions and be ready to adapt to anything. I learned that it is important to make connections because it will help you in the long run. I also learned that communication is a great skill to have, especially between you and your boss.
Having this internship was important for me because I’m a first-generation college student, and so it’s a lot for me to break boundaries going beyond the standard of what I’ve seen in my family. So being able to push myself to get outside of my comfort zone and take that step to corporate America, it’s not easy, especially as a college student who has no corporate America experience. I think that, after being there over the last three months, the people that I’ve worked with and the relationships that I’ve gained, I think that it has moved me into who I am now, but also helped me develop professionally.
olympic dreams
Langston University Alumnus
Competes at Olympic Trials
ZaChaeus Beard felt like a kid in a Toys R’ Us when he first stepped foot inside Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
“Not every time you go in (Toys R’ Us) you get something, but the feeling was the same,” Beard said. “Every time you step through the door you just look around in amazement.”
Beard competed in the men’s 100m race at this year’s Olympic Track and Field Team Trials, making it to the semifinals before placing sixth in his heat, missing the mark for finals qualification.
“I expect (Beard) to be back on the world stage. He has that kind of talent. He’s going to be successful in whatever he decides to do.” - Coach Hillard
But before making it to the Olympic Trials’ stage, Beard ran at Langston University under the training and direction of Coach James Hilliard. Beard joined Dear Langston from the small town of Fellowship, Louisiana, and graduated in 2022 with his bachelor’s degree in health, physical education and recreation, and a minor in public health.
Coach Hilliard knew Beard was fast when he recruited him, but getting Beard to learn to be fast when it was time to be fast and, most importantly, “be where your feet are” was his greatest challenge.
“‘Be where your feet are’ means if you’re running, if you’re studying, wherever you are in life, you cannot be somewhere
else,” Coach Hilliard said. “You have to be where your feet are right now, so you can be conscious of what you need to do in that moment. You can’t control anything else, you can only control where your feet are.”
Beard reminded himself of this as he lined up for each of his races in the Olympic Track and Field Team Trials, but this was not the only lesson he learned during his time at Langston University.
Through disappointing outcomes at the NAIA Indoor Track and Field National Championships and one season of ineligibility due to low class hours, Beard was able to learn how to overcome adversity and remain positive.
“He’s got a lot of positive energy,” Coach Hilliard said. “Even when he’s down, it’s just a moment.”
Beard’s ability to surmount challenges led him to becoming the fastest man in the NAIA in his senior season, setting the NAIA Track and Field National Championship record in the 60m dash and becoming the first national champion for Langston University Track and Field since 2013. It pushed him to become the first athlete recruited by Coach Hilliard to compete for a spot on the Olympic team.
And it will continue to push him toward success as he pursues more opportunities to compete at the national and international level.
“I’m about to go back to work,” Beard said. “You will see me again.”
Breaking News: Broadcast journalism senior named 2024 White House HBCU Scholar
Langston University broadcast journalism senior Aniyah Robinson has been named a 2024 White House HBCU Scholar, the ninth LU student to receive this honor in the program’s 10year history.
In August, the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities announced its 2024 HBCU Scholars. and Robinson was among the 110 undergraduate, graduate and professional students to receive the honor. This year’s cohort was chosen from a competitive pool of over 350 applicants.
“We are very proud of Ms. Robinson for being selected as a 2024 Whitehouse HBCU Scholar!” said Dr. Alonzo Peterson, the Vice President for Academic Affairs. “Her outstanding achievements and dedication have earned her this prestigious honor. The Langston University family is proud of her, and we look forward
to seeing her continued success and contributions in the future. Well done!”
Since 2014, the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities has recognized exceptional HBCU students who have excelled in academic achievement, civic and campus engagement and entrepreneurial ethos.
Over the past three years, Robinson has been heavily involved in the LU Gazette, LU’s student newspaper; LU Athletics as an intern; and the LU chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists, which Robinson helped restart. She is also a 2024 Rhoden Fellow.
“I have been given an amazing opportunity to represent Langston on a national level and showcase the greatness that Langston produces,” Robinson said. “As a Black journalist, I understand the responsibility of amplifying diverse voices and perspectives
in a media landscape that often lacks representation. Personally, I wouldn’t be where I am today without the unwavering support from Langston University’s Communications Department. Knowing the responsibility that I have as a journalist to advocate for the needs of our community is the reason I applied for the program.”
HBCU Scholars serve as ambassadors for the White House Initiative on HBCUs, the U.S. Department of Education and their respective academic institutions for the academic year. As an HBCU scholar, Robinson will ensure information, resources and opportunities from the Initiative are distributed to LU’s three campuses.
She will also receive professional development opportunities throughout the year, such as monthly master classes hosted by the Initiative and an opportunity to participate in NASA’s Minority University Research and Education Project Innovation Tech Transfer Idea Competition. Robinson will also attend the 2024 HBCU Week National Conference from Sept. 15-19 in Philadelphia.
“Overall, this program is a great way to network with industry professionals and other talented HBCU students,” Robinson said. “With the upcoming election, I hope to utilize my platform to encourage students to utilize their voice by voting. Additionally, as a White House Scholar, I aspire to bring greater recognition to Langston University and exemplify the true meaning of ‘From Langston to the World.’”
Home-Run Hire:
LANGSTON UNIVERSITY FACULTY MEMBER ADDED TO BLACK COLLEGE WORLD SERIES STAFF
Black College Championships announced the addition of Langston University faculty member Dr. John Winters to the Black College World Series Staff on June 7, 2024.
Dr. Winters is a pioneer among Black college baseball umpires, having retired after 27 years as an NCAA Division I umpire and supervisor. He now serves as an associate professor and faculty advisor for the department of health, physical education and recreation at Langston University. Dr. Winters also serves the NCAA as one of its Division I Site Supervisors for Baseball Regional and Super Regionals around the nation.
“I am committed to represent as a servant leader and making sound contributions to promote black college baseball,” Dr. Winters said. “This appointment allows me to continue to contribute to HBCUs in general. But specifically, to HBCU baseball.”
Before becoming a professor at Langston University, Dr.Winters served as head of the School of Business and Finance, and as a program coordinator for sport and recreation management, at Bacone College for 7 years. Additionally, he previously served as an Umpire Evaluator of Big XII Conference baseball and as the first Umpire Supervisor for the Division II Lone Star Conference.
Dr. Winters has served the NAIA as a game and tournament manager for baseball and basketball conferences, regional and national tournaments.
A widely respected speaker in baseball umpire training programs, as well as researcher for college baseball history, especially Black college baseball, Dr. Winters is a research professional on the Black College Pioneers and Legends Committee for the College Baseball Foundation and Hall of Fame. Dr. Winters also serves on the Board of Trustees for the College Baseball Foundation.
Dr.Winters was the lead contributor for Jay Sokol’s recent book “Black College Nines: The History of HBCU Baseball and Integrators of Historically White College Baseball Programs,” which is viewed as the most comprehensive history of Black College baseball.
“Dear Langston has always supported my efforts in college baseball, and it is equally important to then promote Langston nationally,” Dr. Winters said. “This is my second tour at Langston University. I would say to anyone interested in career opportunities at LU, I would highly recommend joining the Langston family, which is a career-nurturing environment to grow yourself as a professional.”
Langston University to Open Football Season Against Central Oklahoma
For the first time in 25 years, Langston University will make the trek down I-35 as the Lions will open the football season against the University of Central Oklahoma Broncos on Sept. 7 at 6:00 p.m.
But the genesis for this game began in 2023, when Langston University’s gym flooded over the winter break. With conference play beginning for the Women’s and Men’s Basketball Teams, Langston University Athletic Director Donnita Drain-Rogers reached out to UCO Athletic Director and former Sooner Athletic Conference commissioner Stan Wagnon about the possibility of the Lions using the UCO basketball facility while LU’s was being repaired.
Wagnon graciously allowed LU to use the UCO gymnasium for its January 5 & 7, 2023, conference basketball games.
“We had an unprecedented crowd at the time,” Drain-Rogers said. “Especially when you travel, you don’t expect that. But I think the alumni liked a fresh feel. We have a ton of alumni in the Oklahoma City area.”
This prompted the two universities to begin thinking about the crowd a football game could bring. But this felt like a dream until an unexpected opening appeared on the Bronco’s football schedule this season. Langston University eagerly jumped into the vacancy.
As conversations continued and details about the partnership unfolded, UCO shared their willingness to promote Langston University and make this a true joint affair.
The Langston University Marching Pride will be performing at halftime, each university’s Student Government Associations will be involved, and each university will have a football legend participating in the coin toss. Langston University first round draft pick Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson will join UCO legend Keith Traylor for the opening ceremony.
“What better time for each of us to embrace one another’s university’s histories, cultural differences and more?” Drain-Rogers said. “Everyone has been so open minded about this game and are wanting everyone to be involved. Everyone is treating this as a big deal.”
Roaring into Freshman Year:
LANGSTON UNIVERSITY
WELCOMES THE CLASS OF 2028
Langston University proudly welcomed the Class of 2028 to the Pride during its annual Lion Camp from July 26 to Aug. 4 at the Langston campus. Lion Camp, which served as freshman orientation, allowed students to become familiar with the campus, learn about the various financial, academic and health resources available to them as LU students, and meet other firsttime freshmen.
Lion Camp aims to make the transition from high school to college as smooth as possible. Student ambassadors lead the freshmen through fun activities such as scavenger hunts, water gun fights and sports tournaments in the evenings while LU faculty and staff help them get accustomed to a college classroom setting during morning lessons. It’s a busy week that balances fun with education, and upperclassmen often look back on their Lion Camp experience as one of their favorite parts of freshman year.
Anaya Talley
Hometown: Oklahoma City, ok
Health Administration majo r
I decided to come to Langston University because I’m a softball player and I was recruited. During Lion Camp, I’ve learned a lot about financial aid and scholarship opportunities. I’m really looking forward to networking and getting used to the campus and getting comfortable with everything this fall.
Jeremiah Monroe
Hometown: tyler, tx
general studies majo r
I chose to come to Langston because I heard some great things about it, so I thought to look into it and apply myself to it. Ever since I got here, it’s been a really good program. They’ve been teaching us about finances and other types of things, but finance was very interesting to me.
This fall, I’m looking forward to football and to getting my classes done. It’s been a really good program so far, and I hope it stays like that for the rest of the semester and the year.
jalissa shaw
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
nursing majo r
I decided to come to Langston University because I wanted to get away from home and it was an HBCU. At Lion Camp, I’ve learned that you gotta get out more and just other aspects of college and stuff like that. This fall, I’m looking forward to completing all my assignments and making friends.
A SNEAK PEEK AT THE CLASS OF 2028
Meet staff
‘E ROAR IS PRODUCED BY THE LANGSTON UNIVERSITY OFFICE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
Theresa Powell Vice President for Operations
want to be featured in next month's issue?
SEND US YOUR NEWS:
If you have any accomplishments or upcoming events in your department and you want them publicized, please send to the LU Office of Public Relations via the online project request form found at www.langston.edu
heleen sheets
Director of Public Relations
Assistant Director of Communications Editor in Chief
Media Relations Specialist
Contributing Editor
Senior Graphic Designer/Photographer
Design and Layout
