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Huntington College outlines rural teacher-recruitment and program growth plans
Summary
Huntington College said it plans to expand teacher-preparation with a rural emphasis, backing from private philanthropy and state budget support for a Black Belt pilot program; the college reported growth in declared education majors and EPP candidates.
Huntington College representatives told the Alabama State Board of Education they are expanding teacher-preparation efforts that emphasize recruiting and supporting students from rural communities, including work tied to a planned Black Belt pilot program.
Dr. Kimba Stevenson, dean at Huntington (identified in the presentation), said the college currently has about 108 declared education majors, 30 candidates in its educator preparation program and 12 students set to graduate; the college reported interviewing 39 prospective candidates to enter the EPP. “We have a large amount of growth there, for this upcoming year,” Stevenson said.
Huntington officials described a rural-focused pilot backed by state and private funds. The board president said the pilot — designed to recruit high school students from the Black Belt who agree to return to teach in their home counties — has philanthropic support that expanded the program beyond the originally small pilot. President Anthony Lee (referenced) and college leaders told the board eight students are slated for the program this year, with six already confirmed.
The college said it is working to make coursework and student-teaching placements more flexible so students can stay closer to home while completing internships and supervised practice. “Some of them…won't actually move to Montgomery, but they'll be able to stay in their home, an hour or hour and a half away, but take classes,” Stevenson said.
Board members praised the focus on rural communities and asked about how the college plans to supervise internships and support candidates placed remotely. Huntington said it will use faculty oversight, local mentors and additional on-site supervision when needed; the college is coordinating with state staff to streamline those placements.
No formal action was taken during the work session; Huntington presented its program updates and responded to board questions.
