New Orleans, LA – Xavier University of Louisiana has been awarded candidacy for the accreditation of its new masters program in Speech-Language Pathology by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology(CAA).  The addition of this program brings the number of master’s degree options now offered by Xavier to 14, the others being in the areas of education, public health, and theology.

The new Master’s program in Speech Language Pathology will play a significant role in the university’s efforts to respectfully and compassionately address the speech, hearing, and language difficulties across diverse communities.

The CAA’s evaluation was based upon a thorough review of all candidacy materials for the program including the application, site visit report, and the program’s correspondence throughout the review period. The organization determined that the new program demonstrated sufficient compliance with the Standards for Accreditation as outlined in the Standards Compliance Continuum.

The mission of the new Master’s program is to produce professionals who are clinically competent as defined by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) to meet the needs (i.e., prevention, identification, treatment) of individuals who are currently experiencing communicative disorders or differences, as well as those who are at-risk of such problems within and across diverse communities, settings, and contexts.

“Exposure to individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse communities during training is essential for professionals to become competent in recognizing and addressing the unique needs of underserved populations,” said XU Senior Vice President and Provost Dr. Anne McCall said. “The program will create a culture of evidence-based educational and clinical practices among its faculty, staff and students and will reflect the department’s long-standing core values of compassion, professional excellence, community engagement and life-long learning.”

 “Professionals graduating from the new program at Xavier will be provided with special training that will equip them in four key areas including implementation of evidence-based, case centered care, knowledge and sensitivity about cultural and linguistic diversity matters, interprofessional collaboration/team case management skills, and knowledge and practical experience with working at the top of the profession,” said Speech Pathology Department Chairperson and Graduate Program Director Dr. Gloriajean Wallace.

Wallace said that students will also be exposed to social justice matters and social determinants that impact communication disorders.

“Twenty-one students who are currently enrolled in Xavier University’s Master of Science Speech-Language Pathology Program are expected to graduate in 2021 which is why we coined the slogan 21 in 2021,” Wallace added.

As an addition to the new program, the department also announced the opening of Xavier University’s newly renovated Speech and Hearing Clinic that will also provide speech, language, cognitive and hearing screening assessments for residents of the Greater New Orleans Community. The clinic is designed to provide training opportunities for the program’s new Master of Science Speech-Language Pathology students. The clinic will open this October, offering speech, language, swallowing and hearing habilitation and rehabilitation services to adults and children who have a variety of communication disorders. This includes developmental speech and hearing disorders for preschoolers through young adults.

The clinic will also offer services for people with fluency and voice disorders as well as communication and swallowing disorders resulting from medical conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s Disease and Multiple Sclerosis. The Clinic plans to eventually expand to provide services in rural and international locations. Clinical services will be provided by students who will be supervised by Speech-Language Pathologists who are certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA, CCC-SLP) and Board certified by the Academy of Neurologic Communication Sciences and Disorders (BC-ANCDS).

Individuals interested in being seen at Xavier University’s Speech and Hearing Clinic should contact the Xavier University Speech Pathology Department Speech and Hearing Clinic at (504) 520-5087.

Although the deadline to apply for the fall 2019 semester has passed, Xavier is now accepting applications from prospective students who are interested in pursuing the new master’s degree program for the fall 2020 semester.  Admission is open to applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited college or university with a minimum 3.2 GPA in your field of study. Minimum combined GRE score of 280 (combined Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning). Applicants are also required to submit three letters of recommendation, and a personal statement on why they have chosen the program.  Applications (and more information relating to admissions) are available at https://gradapply.xula.edu/register/inquiry.

EBONY magazine releases its Fashion issue, featuring ISSA RAE on the cover. In the accompanying exclusive interview, EBONY has an intimate conversation with the producer and Emmy Award-nominated actor who took her award-winning web series, The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl, and grew it into a media empire, which includes Rae’s HBO hit series, Insecure. She also dishes on her determination to dispel the misconception that Black women can’t be weak.

“The ability to be vulnerable with your sisters and friends is so crucial and kind of outweighs the strong Black women narrative. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. It’s just you can’t be that all the time,” says Rae.

In addition to the cover story, the Fashion issue also features the 2017–2018 EBONY HBCU Queens, who have royally demonstrated the ability to inspire, lead and give back to their communities. Readers will also get a glimpse at the latest in high-end streetwear; learn how to get Donald Glover’s fashionable look; actor Derek Luke dishes on his role in 13 Reasons Why and the importance of mental health awareness; and the Fall beauty roundup is filled with ’90s hair and makeup trends.

“The Fashion issue is all about providing a platform to showcase and celebrate the current Black players in the fashion world, whether seasoned or up-and-coming. For so long, Black people didn’t have a place to be recognized for their creativity and individuality—and EBONY is happy to provide this opportunity,” says Linda Johnson Rice, chairman emeritus of EBONY Media Operations. “This issue also celebrates young Black talent, like Issa Rae, who is breaking boundaries and empowering other women and people of color to jump feet first into the entertainment world.”

Get the September 2018 digital edition of EBONY via Texture, Google Play, Apple iTunes and Kindle now and on newsstands August 21. For more with Rae and behind-the-scenes content, visit ebony.com/InsideEbony.

Remember her name. Florida A&M University's Cori Renee Bostic, an Atlanta native, has made history as the first female drum major of its world renown, incomparable Marching 100 band. This move is so major. The Marching 100 tradition didn’t allow women in the band until 1974. Carmena Fennell, Carla Wilson and Debra Hines were the trailblazers.

Bostic is a junior in the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and Tau Beta Sigma Sorority. The FAMU half-time performances just got more interesting. Who knew that was possible? Homecoming 2018 will be LIT! 

@vanessawbyers

The South Florida Chapter of the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College presents "All That Jazz" 2018 on Sunday, June 24, 2018!  See flyer for details. All proceeds provide scholarships ranging from $2,000 -  $3,500 per student. If you cannot attend the event, please make a donation.

On Sunday, May 6, 2018, the King of Clubs of Greater Miami, Incorporated hosted their 32nd Annual Scholarship/Awards Banquet at the Doubletree Grand Hotel Biscayne in Downtown Miami. Community matriarch Nancy Dawkins was recognized for her many years of service to the community and 16 Miami-Dade County Public Schools graduating seniors were awarded scholarships as they continue their academic journey to colleges and universities locally and throughout the nation. 

King of Clubs of Greater Miami President Ron Butler escorts Mrs. Nancy Dawkins is escorted to the podium to receive her award for Outstanding Community Service.

Outstanding Community Service Award

Mrs. Nancy Dawkins

William Turner Technical Arts Senior Anwar Taylor receives the Dr. Arthur E. Woodard Scholarship from the Dr. Arthur & Mary Woodard Foundation for Education and Culture. Taylor is headed to Howard University where he will prepare to become a neurosurgeon.

Dr. Tee S. Greer Memorial Scholarships

Tauheeda Huggins – Booker T. Washington

Ayana Reid - Booker T. Washington

Elyzer St. Hilaire – Miami Jackson

King of Clubs Presidential Scholarship

Tyra Hayes – Miami Springs

Dr. Rozalyn Hester Paschal Memorial Scholarship

Lamyra Thompson – Miami Jackson

Mrs. Lenora Paschal-Johnson Memorial Scholarship

Hali Braynon – William Turner Technical Arts

Mrs. Lenora P. Johnson Foundation Scholarship

Kiyah Adams – Miami Norland

Fletcher Paschal Jr. Memorial Scholarship

Eric Baugh – Coral Reef

Mrs. Agenoria S. Paschal Memorial Scholarship

Sommore Robinson – School for Advanced Studies, Homestead

Miami Federal Credit Union Nelson Jenkins Scholarship

Deneisha Dickinson – Miami Carol City

Covenant Brothers Scholarship

Kahlil Davis – Coral Reef

Jack and Jill Agenoria Paschal Scholarship

Tiana Downer – Hialeah-Miami Lakes

Athalie Range Memorial Scholarship

Yelin Montes – Miami Jackson

James Fayson, Sr. Scholarship

Jalani Scott - Booker T. Washington

Dr. Arthur Woodard Memorial Scholarship

Anwar Taylor - William Turner Technical Arts

Marva Fussell Butler Education Scholarship

Isis Nelson – American

Officers and Members of the King of Clubs of Greater Miami, Incorporated

King of Clubs Officers 2018

President – Ron Butler

Vice President – Fletcher Paschal III

Recording Secretary – Malcolm Jones, Sr.

Treasurer – Mario Lavette

Financial Secretary – Delvin Thomas

Chaplain – Rev. Harvey Lockhart

Historian – N. Patrick Range

Members

Lawrence Adams

Bradford Brown, Ph.D.

Lenere Dawkins

Larry Johnson

Kenan Lawhorne

Astrid Mack

James Maull

Michael Smith, Sr.

Marc St. Fort

Photography: Prince Aderele, The Aditu Agency 

Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson issued the following statement on the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2018:

“Although I am extremely disappointed that a DACA fix was not included, I am pleased that Congress has finally passed the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2018 that President Trump signed today. After numerous temporary funding measures and unnecessarily stringent budget caps, this bill, although imperfect, funds several items that are critical to Florida and to the nation.
  

“In addition to rejecting the Trump administration’s cruel anti-immigrant agenda, the omnibus invests heavily in key priorities like child care, education, transportation and infrastructure, national security, affordable housing, public safety, election protection, medical and health care research, our nation’s veterans, and many other line items. These investments are certain to help boost job creation for America’s workers, economic growth, and support badly needed by those living in disadvantaged communities.

“Wins for Florida and District 24 include:

• A 14 percent increase in funding for historically black colleges and universities, including Florida A&M, Florida Memorial University, Bethune-Cookman and Edward Waters College in Jacksonville
• Additional funding for the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund spending target established by WRRDA 2014, which will benefit PortMiami
  
  
• $250 million in federal funding for positive train control grants to prevent deadly crashes on Florida railroads
• $416 million for Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants
  
  
• Restored proposed administration cuts to Everglades restoration projects
  
  
• $610 million increase for Head Start, a $2.37 billion increase for the Child Care and Development Block Grant Program and a $300 million increase in grants to Title I schools
  
  
• $3.3 billion for Community Development Block Grants
  
  
• $22 billion for public housing vouchers for needy populations, including the elderly, disabled, and persons living with HIV/AIDS

“I also was very pleased that I was able to insert in the legislation $10 million for support of a “multi-partner trust fund or other multi-lateral efforts to assist communities in Haiti affected by cholera resulting from the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti.”

Florida A&M University president Dr. Larry Robinson, the University’s performing troupe, the FAMU Connection, various FAMU staff and student leaders will make their Miami stop of the 2018 President’s Recruitment Tour at 6:30 p.m., Monday, March 12, 2018, at Miami Jackson Senior High School Auditorium, 1751 NW 36th Street, Miami, FL 33142.

All interested high school students and their parents are invited to attend. Attendees will have an opportunity to chat one-on-one with University academic representatives, student leaders and alumni. Scholarships will be awarded on the spot to graduating seniors contingent upon qualifying GPA and test scores. 

Interested students can apply online at www.famu.edu/admissions. 

As a surprise to no one, Florida A&M University head football coach Alex Wood will not return to lead the football program next season. Wood resigned a couple of days after a loss to Bethune-Cookman in the Florida Classic. Although FAMU holds a tremendous lead in the series matchup, 49-22-1, this year would be the seventh consecutive loss to BCU.

It is understood that there are two games a FAMU football coach must win each year for job security — Homecoming and the Florida Classic. A FAMU coach could probably go 2-9 and get less grief from FAMU fans if those two wins are Homecoming and the Florida Classic. If the truth be told, considering the Homecoming and Florida Classic losses under Coach Wood’s tenure, the FAMU fans were much kinder to Wood than they were to some of his predecessors. I’m not justifying that position but it is what it is.

To those of us alums not directly involved with the FAMU football program, Coach Wood seemed to be a nice guy. He was close to winning several games this season but it didn’t happen for him and the team. When a new coach replaces all of the previous staff except one person, FAMU fans expect a winning season quickly. Wood might have accomplished that with the opportunity to coach the team another season but that was not to be.

FAMU offensive line coach Edwin Pata was named interim head coach by outgoing athletic director Milton Overton who has taken the athletic director position at Kennesaw State. Overton will be succeeded by interim athletic director John Eason.

Pata is that only person from the previous coaching staff that Wood did not replace. Pata has coached at FAMU for five years and earned his masters degree in sports management from FAMU. The FAMU football team has already let it be known that they want Coach Pata as the permanent head football coach. They’ve even started a hashtag on social media — #NoOneButCoachPata.

Edwin Pata is a graduate of North Miami High School where he earned honors on the gridiron as an All-State tight end. He earned his undergraduate degree at Florida State University and played football under Coach Bobby Bowden. Pata was very complimentary of Coach Wood’s progress with the program. Pata could be that person to make the program a winner again.

In the meantime, a nine-person search committee for the FAMU head football coach has been established. The committee members are: interim Athletic Director John Eason, former FAMU trustee Spurgeon McWilliams, FAMU National Alumni Association President Lt. Col. Gregory Clark, Rattler Boosters Treasurer Selvin Cobb, FAMU professor Ebenezer Oriaku, FAMU linebacker Elijah Richardson, 220 Quarterback Club President Eddie Jackson, SBI Dean Shawnta Friday-Stroud and FAMU’s director of track and field Darlene Moore. Although the need for a Committee is questionable, it would really be great if the search committee included FAMUans from South Florida who are not current FAMU employees. 

It has been stated that there is no timeline for selecting the head coach but that interim status does impact recruiting. Dr. Larry Robinson was named permanent president of FAMU today. The selections to fill the interim athletic director and head football coach positions should not be rushed but should be filled as quickly as possible for the sake of program stability.

Let’s Go, Rattlers! 

 @vanessawbyers

Related Link: Watch it: Edwin Pata introduced as FAMU's interim head football coach