Francis Howard, a staff member in Candler Library, told the PCSM representatives that many lower-income employees find it difficult to continue their education because they have to pay tuition up front for courses taken through the Tuition Reimbursement program.
Currently, Emory pays tuition for employees who take courses at other institutions through the Tuition Reimbursement program. The employee is reimbursed upon successful completion of the course.
Howard commended the Commission's efforts to have Georgia State University added to the Courtesy Scholarship program, which allows employees to take courses at Emory free of charge. But he also said he would like to see the program be expanded to include as many schools as possible in the Atlanta region. Pat Marsteller, PCSM chair-elect, said she would like the Commission to consider proposing a plan wherein employees could have their tuition at other institutions paid up-front rather than at the end of the course term. PCSM Chair Kym Harris pointed out that the state of Georgia's HOPE Scholarships are available to many employees who wish to pursue bachelor's degrees.
Another audience member asked about Emory's efforts in minority faculty development at the graduate student level.
"We need a grow-your-own-faculty effort here at Emory," said Marsteller. "We need to have outreach programs to pre-college students to bring in more minority students. We need to mentor those students to the graduate level and work with other schools to facilitate the doctoral connection for them. Ultimately, we need to make those students want to return to Emory as faculty members."
Marsteller also endorsed using the same concept for nurturing and developing minority administrators and staff. "To build a real community," she said, "we must have pathways to advancement for all of our people."
Prior to the question-and-answer session, in a review of the Commission's work the past year, Marsteller said that the Commission is much more activist than it has been in the past, and she expects that trend to continue.
--Dan Treadaway