Press Release: Linked Learning Alliance Announces 2018 Linked Learning Champion Awardees
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 30, 2018
Hilary McLean, Executive Vice President | E: hilary@linkedlearning.org
Linked Learning Alliance Announces 2018 Linked Learning Champion Awardees
Sacramento, CA — The Linked Learning Alliance announced the 2018 Linked Learning Champions. The Linked Learning Champion awards recognize individuals or organizations that have demonstrated extraordinary commitment, leadership, and success in implementing and expanding quality Linked Learning opportunities for students. The Linked Learning Alliance will honor the champions at a plenary session during its fourth annual Linked Learning Convention on February 12-14 in Anaheim, California.
“Each of the Linked Learning Champions have an inspiring vision for improving education and workforce preparation for young people, and they have demonstrated concrete ways to make that vision a reality,” said Anne B. Stanton, President of the Linked Learning Alliance. “As a result of their trailblazing work, our field is enriched and motivated. By emulating and building on the work begun by the Linked Learning Champions, we are confident we can make high quality Linked Learning available to young people at scale.”
Linked Learning Educator Champion: Joseph Castro, President, California State University, Fresno
Dr. Castro has championed Linked Learning in California’s Central Valley by developing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Wonderful Agriculture Career Prep (Ag Prep) regional collaborative which provides guaranteed admission to Fresno State for Ag Prep graduates who transition into the same major and meet local student transfer requirements. The agreement acknowledges Ag Prep graduates as transfer students, based on the Associate Degree of Transfer earned as part of their Linked Learning pathway, and provides academic counseling and support to Ag Prep students on the Fresno State campus to ensure their successful transition to the university. This groundbreaking MOU has created a seamless pipeline for Ag Prep graduates from their Linked Learning high school pathway to Fresno State.
Linked Learning Employer Champion: Kathleen J. McIntire, Director of Volunteer Services, Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles
Kathleen J. McIntire is the Director of Volunteer Services at Kaiser Permanente in Los Angeles, where she leads a program that creates hands-on, work-based learning experiences in the medical field for students at the Los Angeles STEM Academy. She coordinated with Kaiser medical professionals to serve as guest speakers, developed a mentor program that paired working professionals with students, and established a summer youth internship program for Los Angeles STEM Academy students. The summer internship program exposed students to various departments at Kaiser, helped them develop professional skills and workplace knowledge, and included educational workshops. Because of Ms. McIntire’s leadership, students in the Los Angeles STEM Academy have a better understanding of medical career opportunities after high school.
Linked Learning Policy Champion: Dr. Shirley Weber, California Assembly Member
Dr. Shirley Weber is a member of the California State Assembly who has been a champion for equity in educational outcomes for decades, as a scholar, teacher, advocate, and legislator. She is a member of the Linked Learning Alliance Board of Directors and advocates for college and career pathways, both in the California Legislature and in the community she represents. In the past year, Dr. Weber introduced a presentation about Linked Learning for education and workforce policy staff members in the California legislature and also invited her legislative colleagues to see Linked Learning in action at a site visit to Kearney High School in the San Diego Unified School District.
Linked Learning Impact Champion: The James Irvine Foundation
The James Irvine Foundation, with the support of and direction from its Board of Directors, has made numerous significant investments in Linked Learning for over a decade. These investments were foundational to the launch of the Linked Learning movement, and supported the development of a broad network of interconnected partner organizations, including the Linked Learning Alliance, which are working together on a strategic vision to expand high quality Linked Learning opportunities to students across California and beyond.
The 2018 Linked Learning Champions will be honored at the “Breakfast with Champions” on February 14 during the 7:30 a.m. plenary session at the Linked Learning Convention which will be held at the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, CA. The 2018 Linked Learning Convention is open to the media. The 2018 Linked Learning Convention “Breakfast with Champions” plenary program will begin at 8:00 a.m. and conclude at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 14, 2018.
About Linked Learning Alliance
The Linked Learning Alliance is a statewide coalition of education, industry, and community organizations dedicated to improving California’s high schools and preparing students for success in college, career, and life. Established in May 2008, the Linked Learning Alliance aims to build a collective voice and coordinate efforts to expand access to Linked Learning in California-an approach to high school that integrates rigorous academics with real-world learning opportunities in fields of engineering, health care, performing arts, law, and more. | www.linkedlearning.org