Spring 2011 - University of Illinois Springfield

Project MSS students paint the community
This semester proved to be, not only busy,
but an engaging one as well. Students at
Project MSS as both a requirement for their
grade, and their service to the community
were a part of several memorable projects.
Read-Across-America
What child does not fall in love with the
zany characters, words and stories of Dr.
Suess? Every year, Read Across America,
an annual reading motivation and awareness
program sponsored by the National Education
Association, calls for every child in
every community to celebrate reading on
March 2, the birthday of beloved children's
author Dr. Seuss.
This year‟s Project MSS participants
included Devynn Allen, LaTasha Doss,
Blake Johnson and Valencia Swope.
Reading for the Blind
Before Project MSS students read Cat in
the Hat, and Hop on Pop, many of them read
newspaper articles for the Springfield community‟s
visually-impaired citizens. Sponsored
by WUIS and Program Director, Sinta
Seiber-Lane, Project MSS students were
able to take advantage of the wonderful opportunity
to serve the community.
This year‟s participants included: Darion
Anderson, Anastassia Anderson, Kaylee
Childress, Tanner Coventry, Haydee
Franklin, Alexis Lawson, Ashley Long,
Myteka Malone, Krista McClung,
Ashlea Squires, and Valencia Swope.
Global Awareness
Dinner: Peru
The Global Awareness
Dinner gave Project
MSS students both a
talk and taste of life in this
exotic South American
country.
Dorsey Delivers Commencement Address
at Richland Community College
Project MSS bids
farewell to Dr. Faye
Fullerton
Dr. Fullerton recently retired from
Lincoln Land Community College as Vice
President of Student Services. Dr. Fullerton
worked with Dr. Meeks and founding
members of the former Community Education
Resource Network to establish the
partnership that sponsored two community
-based initiatives, Project Midstate Student
Support for Teaching (MSS), formerly
Minority Student Support for Teaching and
Project Students, Teachers and Parents
(STP)—a mathematics enrichment program
for students in grades 3-8 in Springfield
School District 186. Project STP
provided services for area students for over
ten years.
As a former classroom teacher, Dr.
Above: Blake Johnson reads to Mrs. McQuillan’s
kindergarteners at Wanless School.
MSSenger p. 6
Nichole Dorsey, a 2008 graduate of Eisenhower High
School and a 2007 inductee in Project MSS, was the 2011
Student Graduation Speaker. Nicole was selected by a committee
comprised of students, faculty and staff. “While at
Richland, Nichole participated in many activities and organizations,
including the Mentor Ambassador team, Secretary
and Vice-President of the Black Student Association, and cofounder
and Vice President of Girlosophy.”
Nichole will join fellow graduate Myra Edwards-Smith, a
2009 inductee, at UIS in the fall. Nichole plans to major in
Elementary Education and Criminal Justice. Nichole is interested
in working with students who have a history of delinquency.
Nichole believes that the skills that she acquires at
UIS will greatly enhance her abilities to address the needs of
all children.
Fullerton readily
understood the demands
and commitment
needed for
teaching. Dr. Fullerton‟s
participation
on the partnership
Steering Committee
and her support and
encouragement will
be sorely missed.