Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           publicinfo@selu.edu
                                           SLU 10880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           985-549-2341/fax 985-549-2061
    Date: 01/29/02
      Contact:                           Angey Saucier   88
         
SLU INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RECEIVES $91,000 GRANT
     HAMMOND   Southeastern Louisiana University's Department of Industrial
Technology has received a $91,351 Perkins III Leadership Grant from the Louisiana Community
and Technical College System for a program that will link students from Tangipahoa and Baton
Rouge school systems with the construction industry.
     The program, Construction Connections, is a three-part program designed to prepare high
school juniors and seniors for construction opportunities through a summer program.  In addition
to a traditional study program, students will have the opportunities to participate in
apprenticeships and post-secondary training.  Upon completion of the program, students will be 
awarded half a Carnegie unit of high school credit and possible college credit. 
     "This educational, industrial based outreach is the way the construction industry wants a
university to work," said James Owens, industrial technology department head.  "This program
was built upon the strengths in the department's accreditation by the National Association of
Industrial Technology (NAIT) and our links to local business."
     According to John Searles,  tech-prep coordinator and Carl Perkins Grant administrator,
the program will host 30 students at Southeastern and Louisiana Technical College in June and
July.
     "This will give students a head start on career readiness and maturity," said Searls.  
     Funding from the grant will be used further for the conduction of public hearings
throughout the state in order to gather information from a cross-section of the population and the
construction-related industries.  The information will be used to assess the needs of the industries
in Louisiana and to develop standards and industry-based certifications.
     "Governor Mike Foster has always projected for a lasting effect on industry and
education.  This is our part to do so," said Searls.  "We are hoping this project will bring in
people in the industry from all over the nation."
     In addtion, research will be conducted on the effects of student involvement in career and
technical education activities and the career maturity levels of senior students.  Career
exploration, job shadowing, applied academics, school-based enterprises and work-based
learning are all planned for program improvement in assisting students in career maturity.
     Approval of the grant follows the department of industrial technology's initial
accreditation of its associate degree program from NAIT, making it the only program of its kind
in Louisiana to receive such recognition.  
     In addition, the bachelor's program was reviewed and approved for an additional six year
accreditation by the association.  This program is one of only three in the state to be accredited
by NAIT.

                             -SLU-
Press release available online at www.selu.edu/NewsEvents/PublicInfoOffice/newsp02.html