Cumberland County Early Childhood Educators Now Have Expanded Opportunities
Cumberland County Early Childhood Educators Now Have Expanded Opportunities
MOUNT OLIVE— The University of Mount Olive (UMO) and the Partnership for Children of Cumberland County, Inc. (the Partnership for Children) have reached an educational agreement. The agreement will expand UMO’s bachelor’s degree completion and lateral/licensure programs into the Fayetteville and Cumberland County area, specifically to those students seeking educational opportunities in the Early Childhood Education field.
“There are about 450 childcare facilities in Cumberland County that benefit from the services of the Partnership for Children,” says Dr. Paul Rutter, director of the Evening College at the University of Mount Olive.” “Through our agreement, employees of these facilities have the potential to earn their bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from UMO, while still maintaining their employment.”
According to Rutter, students entering the program with an associate’s degree can obtain their bachelor’s degree in about two years. Classes will be offered at the Partnership for Children’s Family Resource Center at 351 Wagoner Drive in Fayetteville.
“Several decades of research clearly demonstrate that high-quality, developmentally appropriate early childhood programs produce short- and long-term positive effects on children’s cognitive and social development,” explained Buck Wilson, the Partnership’s Board Chair. “The strongest indicator of quality is the education level of the teacher. Therefore we are excited to enter into this agreement to offer more educational opportunities to early care and education professionals.”
“We are hopeful that many early care and education professionals associated with the Partnership for Children will be able to take advantage of this close-to-home opportunity to earn their bachelor’s degrees and thereby meet state requirements that will allow them to teach,” said Dr. Tommy Benson, division chair for the Department of Education at the University of Mount Olive.
The Partnership for Children is the nonprofit organization that supports early care and education professionals and parents with resources to prepare children for success in school and nurture responsible, productive citizens who will make a positive contribution to the community. PFC achieves its mission through administration of the Smart Start school readiness initiative and NC Pre-kindergarten program in Cumberland County as well as several other grants. To learn more about the Partnership for Children of Cumberland County call (910) 867-9700 or visit www.ccpfc.org.
The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University, sponsored by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists, has locations in Mount Olive, New Bern, Wilmington, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Research Triangle Park, Washington, Jacksonville, and in Smithfield at Johnston Community College. For more information, visit old.umo.edu.
(L-R) standing: Dr. Paul Rutter, director of the Evening College at the University of Mount Olive and Buck Wilson, board chair of Partnership for Children of Cumberland County. Seated: Eva Hansen, president of Partnership for Children of Cumberland County and Dr. Philip P. Kerstetter, president of the University of Mount Olive.
Seated (L-R): Eva Hansen, president of Partnership for Children of Cumberland County and Dr. Philip P. Kerstetter, president of the University of Mount Olive sign the official agreement as representatives from both organizations stand in the background showing their support.