-Grant will contribute to next generation of educators-
By Shawn Nowlin
As the saying goes, “Actions always speak louder than words.”
To show their support for Roanoke College’s Bridges Program, the Truist Foundation recently made a generous donation of $35K. Launched earlier this year, the mission of Bridges is to inspire more students of color to pursue careers in teaching.
Established in partnership with area school divisions, the program is expected to extend mentoring, scholarship and outreach opportunities to students throughout the Roanoke Valley. Officials are hopeful that this investment will encourage more minorities to tap into a passion for education and ideally, inspire the next generation of teachers who look like them.
On why it’s important for the teaching field to be more diverse, Truist Virginia Region President Thomas Ransom said in a press release, “My story is one that was made possible because of a teacher who believed in me, So, I wholeheartedly thank Roanoke College leaders for what they’re doing here with the Bridges Program. Truist is proud to partner and support the college in this important work, which beautifully illustrates our purpose of inspiring and building better lives.”
Thirty-four majors under study programs that lead to a bachelor’s degree are offered at RC. With an annual enrollment of approximately 1,850, the school’s teacher-student ratio is 11:1, a number that drastically differs from the national average. Tuition and fees for students can cost up to $48,000 a year, an amount not that off from similar private colleges and universities.
Part of what makes Roanoke College such a great institution, explained ‘11 graduate Ashley Smith, is the family-like atmosphere. “This place changed my life for the better. Not only did it teach me what resiliency truly meant, it’s also where I met my husband and my best friends. It’ll be a lie to say that it was easy, but looking back, I wouldn’t change anything about my Maroon journey. I know people who have expressed interest in the Bridges Program which is like music to my ears.”
It was the department of Lisa Stoneman, RC’s Education Chair, that led the creation of Bridges. “This generosity will allow us to reach more students and make faster progress toward creating a new generation of dedicated, diverse educators,” she said.
Nationally recognized as just one of three programs picked to serve as a Research-Partner with the National Center for Research on Education Diversity at the University of Houston, additional information about the Bridges Program can be found at roanoke.edu.
