JWU Partners with PPSD to Increase Pipeline of Qualified Educators

PRESS RELEASE

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — June 29, 2022 – To increase the pipeline of qualified educators in Rhode Island’s capital city, Johnson & Wales University announced a new partnership with Providence Public School Department (PPSD) to offer discounted tuition for master’s and doctoral-level education degree programs. This tuition benefit would be offered to certain PPSD individuals, including administrators, teachers, staff and volunteers.

“We want to encourage members of the Providence Schools community to further their education and help ensure that every Rhode Island student achieves academic excellence,” said Karen Swoboda, Ed.D., the director of JWU’s School of Education. “These graduate degrees will be a win for the community, helping to increase the pipeline of qualified, enthusiastic educators in a unique way.”

JWU was inspired to offer the partnership due to the success of Dr. Javier Montañez, superintendent of the Providence Public School District and a graduate of Johnson & Wales’s doctor of education leadership program. A graduate of PPSD himself, Montañez exemplifies the district’s effort to encourage homegrown talent to stay in Rhode Island and give back to the community.

“We know that having world-class talent in our classrooms is key to helping our students thrive,” said Superintendent Dr. Javier Montañez. “So Providence Public Schools must continue to seek out new ways to support our educators and establish local pipelines of diverse talent. I cannot speak highly enough of the programs and faculty at JWU, and it’s an honor to partner with them in our effort to build the school district our community deserves.”

Qualified applicants must be in some way associated with the Providence Public School District, which could include teachers, staff, parents, volunteers or others. Applicants will need a letter of recommendation from the department, confirming their role in the Providence school system.

Master’s-level students will receive a 50 percent discount on their tuition, while doctoral candidates will be offered a $15,000 grant.

“It’s so important that educators reflect the diversity of the students they teach, and we hope this program helps break down some of the barriers to achieve that goal,” Swoboda continued. “We want to try to make it so that people who already live here, and are involved with the community, can become a teacher here.”

The first cohort of students will be accepted this fall. Applicants can reach out to Karen Swoboda with questions about the program.

About JWU

Founded in 1914, Johnson & Wales University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with more than 8,000 graduate, undergraduate and online students at its campuses in Providence, Rhode Island and Charlotte, North Carolina. An innovative educational leader, the university offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in arts and sciences, business, engineering, food innovation, hospitality, nutrition, health and wellness. It also offers undergraduate programs in culinary arts, dietetics and design. JWU’s unique model provide students with the personalized attention, academic expertise and industry connections that inspire professional success and personal growth. The time students spend at JWU is nothing short of transformative, as demonstrated by career outcomes, expected earnings and economic mobility rankings. The university’s impact is global, with alumni in 125 countries pursuing careers worldwide. 

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