Educational Studies Department Chair awarded SUNY/New York State Office of Strategic Workforce Development Grant

(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — AUGUST 13, 2024) Professor and Educational Studies Department Chair, Tracy Galuski, has been awarded a one million dollar grant from SUNY and New York State’s Office of Strategic Workforce Development (OSWD). The OSWD was established in 2023 to support new economic opportunities for underrepresented and underemployed individuals in New York State. 

Galuski’s proposal, “Equity in Action: Supporting Upward Mobility for Paraprofessionals in Early Childhood”, was selected for funding as part of the Education Workforce Investment Upskilling Paraprofessionals Program. It will increase opportunities for paraprofessionals to obtain initial teacher certification in high-need areas through SUNY Empire’s new baccalaureate-level teacher education program in Early Childhood Education. The Education Workforce Investment Upskilling Paraprofessionals Program provides funding through registered undergraduate teacher education programs to expand or develop new programs that recruit and support existing paraprofessionals and teaching assistants in getting their initial teacher certification.  

Galuski, who has worked in the field of early childhood education both as a teacher and training specialist for many years before joining SUNY Empire, said, “SUNY Empire will offer the Early Childhood Education program in a virtual learning format to maximize access to underserved communities. We are excited for the opportunities this program, supported by the grant, will provide for paraprofessionals in New York.” 

Learn more: https://sunyempire.edu/mkt/lp/ug/bs-early-childhood/