{"id":12313,"date":"2021-06-10T18:51:16","date_gmt":"2021-06-10T18:51:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/marymount.edu\/academics\/?p=12313"},"modified":"2021-06-10T18:51:16","modified_gmt":"2021-06-10T18:51:16","slug":"proud-of-our-faculty-who-served-on-the-national-service-programs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/marymount.edu\/academics\/proud-of-our-faculty-who-served-on-the-national-service-programs\/","title":{"rendered":"Proud of our faculty who served on the national service programs"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Demonstrating that hiring alumni of national service programs is a high priority for the institution, Marymount University has been accepted as a partner of the\u00a0Employers of National Service network<\/a>. An initiative that connects\u00a0AmeriCorps<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Peace Corps<\/a>\u00a0alumni with employers from every sector to create recruitment, hiring and advancement opportunities, the network gives Marymount access to a pool of dedicated, highly qualified and mission-oriented talent who can translate their skills to the workplace.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe faculty and staff members of Marymount consistently strive for excellence in carrying out the\u00a0University\u2019s vision and mission<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 so when looking for new members to join our team, we seek out individuals who personify qualities such as integrity, professionalism and respect,\u201d explained Barry Harte, Vice President for Finance and Operations & Treasurer at Marymount University. \u201cWith the diverse experiences and skills that alumni of AmeriCorps and Peace Corps bring to the table, we are confident that qualified applicants from those programs will fit in very well here at Marymount.\u201d<\/p>\n

After joining the Employers of National Service network, all job postings on the\u00a0University\u2019s careers page on Workday<\/a>\u00a0now illustrate how Marymount values service in the community: \u201call active members of the military, veterans, AmeriCorps, Peace Corps and national service alumni are encouraged to apply.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are proud to be involved with an initiative that is closely connected to one of our core values \u2013 service to others,\u201d said Kendra Gillespie, Chief Human Resources Officer at Marymount University. \u201cWe\u2019re always looking for faculty and staff who are passionate about providing excellent service to ensure a high-quality student experience and collaborative working environment, and alumni of these respected national service programs have already proven themselves as model leaders and excellent candidates for future positions at Marymount.\u201d<\/p>\n

The University has numerous alumni of national service programs already on its faculty and staff. Dr. Jennifer Gray, Associate Professor of\u00a0Education<\/a>, served for two years at the Chicago-based\u00a0Amate House<\/a>\u00a0through AmeriCorps. There, she filled the roles of first and second-grade teacher, ESL support teacher, adult language and literacy program coordinator\/instructor and liturgical music minister at\u00a0St. Agnes of Bohemia Parish and School<\/a>\u00a0in the city\u2019s Little Village neighborhood.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is difficult to describe the enormous impact that my experiences as an AmeriCorps volunteer have had on my career trajectory and my life in general,\u201d Dr. Gray said. \u201cI fell in love with teaching and became committed to a life of serving others as an educator. I was also able to witness firsthand the unique challenges that English Language Learners of all ages face when learning to read, write and speak English, as well as the struggles that many teachers face when trying to provide the support that ELL students need to become successful readers, writers and speakers of English.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThese experiences led me to pursue research related to literacy instruction for ELL students and support for the teachers of ELL students.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Dr.
Dr. Jennifer Gray coaching a girl\u2019s basketball team at St. Agnes of Bohemia School<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Meanwhile, fellow Professor of Education Dr. Elizabeth Langran gained national service experience with the Peace Corps, traveling to Morocco and teaching Spoken English, Composition, Basic English and American Civilization courses at\u00a0Universit\u00e9 Moulay Ismail<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy Peace Corps experience opened up a new continent for me. In addition to living in Morocco, I took a trip to Tanzania via Egypt and Kenya \u2013 and after I completed my Peace Corps service, I spent a few months traveling around West Africa with some other Peace Corps friends,\u201d Dr. Langran recalled. \u201cI developed an appreciation and love for the diverse range of cultures, languages and environments that are found on the continent.\u201d<\/p>\n

While her service with the Peace Corps provided Dr. Langran with her first visit to Africa, it wouldn\u2019t be her last. Since then, she has taken high school students to Morocco, guided Marymount student trips to Senegal and Uganda, led university faculty training workshops for educational technology in South Africa and Botswana and coordinated a four-year\u00a0USAID<\/a>\u00a0project in Senegal to partner with a new rural university and primary school. Currently, Dr. Langran is heavily involved in the Marymount School of Education\u2019s partnership with\u00a0REACH for Uganda<\/a>\u00a0to support teachers in rural areas.<\/p>\n

\"Dr.
Dr. Elizabeth Langran during her time in Morocco with the Peace Corps<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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More than 1 million individuals have participated in AmeriCorps over the past 25 years and more than 215,000 have served in the Peace Corps, making a lasting impact on these individuals and the communities in which they served.<\/p>\n

AmeriCorps engages more than 75,000 men and women in intensive service each year through more than 15,000 nonprofits, schools, public agencies and community and faith\u2010based groups across the country. Meanwhile, the Peace Corps \u2013 as the preeminent international service organization of the U.S. \u2013 sends Americans abroad to tackle the most pressing needs of people around the world.<\/p>\n

For more information, click here to visit the\u00a0Employers of National Service website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Posted by Nicholas Munson, June 7, 2021 (Marymount News<\/a>)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n