Professor-In-Residence Program

Office of the Special Assistant to the President
James Madison University

Program Description:

The Professor-In-Residence Program (PIR) is a James Madison University (JMU) outreach endeavor to promote the educational attainment and college aspirations of Virginia high school students.

The PIR program is focused in high schools with diverse student populations, who have historically lacked sufficient opportunities for attending colleges and universities.

The major intent of the program is twofold.

1. To academically empower Virginia high schools, through the sharing of university technologies, research-based information, and personnel resources to address the educational and social challenges facing underserved/underrepresented high school students, their families, and communities
   
   
2. To increase the number of underrepresented Virginia high school students who enroll in college and universities.

For a one-year, renewable period, a JMU faculty member is assigned to a specific Virginia high school, and meets weekly with high school students, administrators, counselors, and/or teachers.

At present, the PIR program is serving the following schools:

• George Wythe High School, Dr. Ken Wright
• Harrisonburg High School, Dr. William O′Meara
• Huguenot High School, Dr. Cindy Klevickis
• Wakefield & Washington-Lee High Schools, Ms. Elizabeth Cranford
• Waynesboro High School, Dr. Tom Benzing
• William Fleming High School, Dr. Hood Frazier
• Lucille Brown & Thompson Middle Schools, Mr. Nathan Ryalls
• Kate Collins Middle School, Mr. Matt Bailey
• Lucy Addison Middle School, Dr. Michele Kielty-Briggs
• Skyline Middle School, Dr. George Font
• Thomas Harrison Middle School, Dr. Carlos Aleman

Program Goals:

1. Empower Virginia high schools and communities, through the sharing of University technologies, research-based information, and personnel resources to address the educational and social challenges facing underserved underrepresented high school students, their families, and communities.
2. Through university-high school partnerships increase the number of underrepresented Virginia high school students who apply for, and accept university admission within national higher educational system.
3. Enhance higher educational opportunities among Virginia high school students through the sharing of University-based admission and financial aid information.
4. Provide Virginia high school students, counselors, administrators with university information on traditional and non-traditional majors, and subsequent career opportunities.
5. Promote academic achievement and educational aspirations of Virginia high school students.
6. Provide James Madison University faculty opportunities to disseminate their educational experience, knowledge, and skills to high school students and teachers.
7. Provide opportunities for James Madison University students to mentor high school students form diverse cultures.

Program Activities and Service

1. Assisting students in planning for college, preparing for SATs and /or ACTs composing application essays, and securing financial aid.
2. Arranging for PIR high school students to participate in the James Madison University Take-a-Look Day.
3. Organizing workshops on college study skills, note taking, and time management.
4. Arranging for PIR high school students to sit in on selected James Madison University classes and laboratory demonstrations.
5. Creating opportunities for students to earn advance placement credit in courses taught by James Madison University faculty and delivered to the schools via the internet.
6. Through the JMU Outreach department, PIR faculty conduct dual enrollment programs whereby high school students can obtain college credits.
7. Establishing high school/JMU collaborative strategies for developing or improving high school curriculum and instructional methods.
8. Providing academic workshops and information on non-traditional majors and careers.
9. Arranging for a James Madison University summer school experience for selected high school students.
10. Organizing symphonic concert troops (cultural exposure) to James Madison University.
11. Developing a Critical Issues Summit for high school counselors, and administrator participating in the PIR program; this two day summit would be housed at James Madison University.
12. Establishing a James Madison University high school mentoring program for PIR participants.