CMU, Alcorn State share partnership beyond football

Football is not the only event bringing together Central Michigan University and Alcorn State University this weekend.

In late August, the two schools drafted a Partnership in Education Agreement designed to allow students at both universities to broaden their academic opportunities. The deal will finalize prior to Saturday’s game at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

As part of the agreement, CMU and ASU will partner each school’s physical education and sports administration, English and broadcast and cinematic arts departments, offering students the opportunity to learn in a different setting.

“There will be students from Alcorn State coming here for graduate programs, and there will be opportunity for our students to go down there for internships,” said Steve Smith, director of public relations.

The official ceremony will take place 10:30 a.m. Saturday in interim University President Kathy Wilbur’s conference room at with ASU President George Ross, among other administrators, in attendance.

Smith and Interim Dean of Graduate Studies Roger Coles said the connection was possible because of Ross’ history with CMU as vice president for finance and administrative services.

“They (Alcorn State) are bringing four or five students for the game to come look at Central and our students will have sports internship opportunities,” Coles said. “It’s a win-win for both universities.”

Ross officially left CMU to become president of Alcorn State in early 2008.
“It will benefit our institution because it will move our students into graduate work at CMU,” Ross said.

Diversity

The deal was triggered when Rick Sykes, Broadcast and Cinematic Arts professor, and other faculty members made the trip to Lorman, Miss. to talk to students and administrators at ASU.

One of the major things to come out of this agreement, Sykes said, is ASU broadcast students gaining knowledge and experience in a different region.

Sykes said the agreement will lead to diversity among the broadcasting department, not only with race, but also experience.

“I think this will give us an opportunity to have students from a very good undergraduate communications program and students of color interested in moving on to graduate work,” said Sykes.

Ross also put an emphasis on a more diverse student population at CMU as a result of the new partnership.