University of La Verne Students Selected for Prestigious Summer Research Programs
From excavating bones in Africa to teaching elementary school children in China, University of La Verne students will be busy this summer researching and teaching in numerous field schools around the world.
The experiences will expose students to academic learning beyond the classroom and bring theory to practice.
In the LaFetra College of Education, the nonprofit organization Me to We selected Rebecca Segars to travel to Kenya, where she will work with educators there to develop lesson plans. The organization connects teachers and education students from the U.S. and Canada with educators in rural areas and third world communities.
About 30 education majors will teach children at two schools in China. Half will teach at Rongguang International School in Jinhua. The other half are set to teach in Suzhou. All students will participate in face-to-face lectures at the university to prepare for the trip.
This will be the second teaching trip to Suzhou for University of La Verne students this year. Students made the previous trip to teach math, art, language arts, and physical education during January interterm.
“The trip provided a unique opportunity for La Verne students to experience an international and intercultural experience,” said Dr. Susan Walsh, assistant professor of education. “They compared/contrasted American style education to the system in which they were teaching in China.”
In the College of Arts and Sciences, Amanda “Billie” Guerrero will excavate and research hominids and associated materials that are millions of years old through a paleoanthropology field school at Koobie Fora, Kenya. Guerrero earned a full scholarship for the prestigious program, which is considered the top field school of its kind in the world. She will give a presentation on her research in Kenya and discuss her findings in Washington, DC and Canada.
Rachael McCrary will attend the mortuary archaeology field school in Drawsko, Poland, a program where participants have uncovered the graves of people suspected of vampirism. McCrary will be excavating and analyzing bones.
The Belize Valley Archaeological Reconnaissance Project field school selected Angelica Enriquez and Manny Gallegos for the summer program. They will examine prehistoric Maya sites.
Assistant Professor of Anthropology Dr. Kanya Godde applauded students for earning spots at the schools.
“I am so happy to see our students will be representing us internationally this summer and at such prestigious programs,” she said. “Their accomplishments are truly as a result of the La Verne Experience.”
In the College of Business and Public Management, the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce selected business major Kassandra Aguilera for its 2017 Creating A Path to Success (CAPS) program. The program provides Latino college students professional training to be successful civic and business leaders.
“It’s incredible to see Kassandra chosen out of applicants from across the state for the CAPS program,” said Sean Snider, director of the University of La Verne Small Business Development Center. “Her drive, discipline, and determination impresses me on a daily basis.”
