Strengthening the Lowcountry AHEC Health Careers Program through Professional Development

Lowcountry AHEC Health Careers Program (HCP) Coordinator Natasha Chatman participated in the 2014 Diversity Conference sponsored by the College of Charleston & the National Association of Holmes Scholar Alumni in September at the College of Charleston. The theme was “Building Partnerships to Support Youth of Promise.” Attendees participated in conference sessions, workshops, and community celebration that addressed ways educators can meet the needs of diverse learners through building community, student advocacy, and higher education partnerships. The keynote speakers were Freeman Hrabowski, III, Ph.D., president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County; Meta VanSickle, Ph.D., Professor and Department Chair for Teacher Education at the College of Charleston; and Margaret Olmos, M.A., the Chief of Staff in the Office of Civil Rights at the Department of Education.   The speakers shared compelling messages that urged educators to meet the needs of diverse learners through building positive student communities and addressing the challenging issues in education.

The information gained from this conference will enhance the services provided to HCP students in the Lowcountry.  Mrs. Chatman strives to increase the number of underrepresented minority and disadvantaged high school students entering the health professions in South Carolina. Mrs. Chatman learned tools to create a culturally sensitive learning environment; and she has insight on opportunities for additional services and support once students matriculate to post-secondary institutions, such as, the nationally known Federal TRIO Programs and the Call Me Mister (Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role Models) initiative.

To learn more about Lowcountry AHEC’s Health Careers Program, contact Natasha Chatman at chatmann@lcahec.com.