First Cohort of Project THRIVE Scholars Announced in $1.1 Million Grant Program Funded by U.S. Department of Education

The Thelma P. Lally School of Education at The College of Saint Rose has named its first cohort of 12 Project THRIVE scholars. Project THRIVE (Targeting Healthy Resiliency in Vested Educators) was made possible by a five-year $1.1 million grant awarded to Saint Rose by the U.S. Department of Education in Fall 2019. The grant funds the majority of tuition for master’s degree students in special education or school psychology and develops teachers and school psychologists who are highly skilled at working with school-age children with disabilities by viewing their needs through the lens of cultural diversity and mental health.

The scholars will complete a two- or three-year master’s degree program that emphasizes a culturally responsive, family-centered philosophy with recommended practices for school-age children with disabilities as core content. Field experiences will occur in urban, suburban, and rural high-need local educational agencies in the economically challenged communities within the greater Capital Region. Team-based practice and professional networking will be frequent through remote and face-to-face opportunities.

Some of the issues addressed include assisting English language learners (ELLs) who have faced trauma related to immigration, acculturation, linguistic barriers, and discrimination; individuals with disabilities; and students with mental health needs.

Project THRIVE also aims to address a shortage of both special education teachers and school psychologists. According to the New York State Department of Education, between the 2009-2010 and 2014-2015 academic years, enrollment in teacher education programs has decreased by roughly 49%. Meanwhile, the National Coalition of Personnel Shortages in Special Education and Related Services reports that, nationwide, over half of all school districts and 90% of high-poverty districts report difficulty attracting highly qualified special educators. In the field of school psychology, the National Association of School Psychologists predicts that there will be a shortage of almost 15,000 school psychologists in the United States by 2020.

The project will be led by Dr. Frances Ihle, associate professor of literacy and special education, and Dr. Elizabeth Power, assistant professor of school psychology.

“We are beyond excited to welcome our first Project THRIVE cohort,” Power said. “We are positive that these future educators will change the lives of thousands of students. We are grateful to be a part of their education journey and provide them with a strong foundation to positively impact mental health in a culturally-responsive manner.”

The Fall 2020 Project THRIVE scholars are:

• Arleen Alava (school psychology), bachelor’s degree in psychology, Montclair State University
• Claire Beaulac (childhood education/special education), bachelor’s degree in human services, Cazenovia College
• Laritza Caizachana (school psychology), bachelor’s degree in psychology and Spanish, SUNY New Paltz
• Dylan Conklin (school psychology), bachelor’s degree in psychology, SUNY Potsdam
• Marinna Flagg (childhood education/special education), bachelor’s degree in psychology, Elmira College
• Matt Hitchen (adolescence education/special education), bachelor’s degree in political science/history, SUNY Oneonta; master’s degree in history, Washington State University
• Brittany Jones (school psychology), bachelor’s degree in psychology, Winston-Salem State University
• Lisa Parisian (childhood education/special education), bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, child and family studies, SUNY Oneonta
• Gabby Rowell (school psychology), bachelor’s degree in psychology, The Sage Colleges
• Nora Stevens (childhood education/special education), bachelor’s degree in nursing, Sacred Heart University
• Kristen Wade (school psychology), bachelor’s degree in psychology, University at Albany
• Alexa Whyte (adolescence education/special education), bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, University at Albany

The next cohort of Project THRIVE Scholars will be selected to begin in Fall 2022. The application will be announced when it is available.

The College of Saint Rose is a private, independent, coeducational institution of higher education in Albany, New York, offering more than 100 bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, and certificate programs. Through a strong liberal arts education curriculum and professional academic programs, the College serves undergraduate and graduate students, working professionals, international students, and more. Saint Rose marks its 100th anniversary in September 2020.