Academy for New Legislators

The UMass Donahue Institute, with the UMass President's Office, the Office of the State Senate President, and the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, hosts the Academy for New Legislators following the election in Massachusetts of new legislators every two years.

Both newly elected legislators and those elected to office during the previous term participate in this three-day event at the University's Amherst Campus. The program serves to prepare these officials for their new responsibilities and ensure a smooth transition into the Legislature. Featured presenters include the University President, the President of the Massachusetts Senate and the Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

University faculty and staff members join nationally recognized experts in their fields to deliver lectures and lead discussions on subjects such as:

• Service and Leadership
• Interviewing Tools and Techniques for Broadcast Media
• The Massachusetts Economy
• Polling and Press Communications

Legislators and State House staff members offer valuable insights on such topics as:

• Legislative Budget Process
• Life as a Freshman Legislator
• Rules of the House and Senate
• Simulated Committee Hearing and Legislative Session
• Legislative Ethics
  

For more information, contact:

Janice Raftery
(617) 287-7045

J. Lynn Griesemer
Associate Vice President for Economic Development, UMass
(617) 287-7045

Commonwealth Information Technology Initiative (CITI)

CITI is a public/private partnership that promotes information technology (IT) education through strategic investments that prepare graduates to lead and innovate. CITI seeks to bring together K-12 schools, community and state colleges, public universities, and industry to promote IT education across the curriculum and respond to technology workforce needs.

In 2005, the UMass Donahue Institute assumed responsibility for the administration of the PreK-12 portion of the CITI program and adheres to the vision stated in the CITI K-12 work plan that, “By 2010, Information Technology (IT) is seamlessly integrated into the Massachusetts PreK-12 schools, including Information Technology Across the Curriculum (ITAC) and IT fluency....”

CITI K-12 has adopted a two-fold mission:

• Bring the CITI concept to the Massachusetts PreK-12 public schools, teachers, and students while being mindful of the diverse needs of different grade levels.
• Champion a state-wide perspective, bringing stakeholders together to discuss common goals and strategies to facilitate the integration of IT into the curriculum.

To achieve this mission, CITI K-12 distributes funds to support programs for in-service teacher professional development and provides funds to develop pre-service teacher courses to create and teach ITAC. In addition, CITI K-12 has contracted for a licensure study that clarifies and enhances the IT role in K-12 education and creates opportunities for stakeholders to come together through conferences, informal meetings, and advisory groups.

Visit Commonwealth Information Technology Initiative (CITI) Website

For more information, contact:

J. Lynn Griesemer
Associate Vice President for Economic Development, UMass
(617) 287-7045

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Initiative

The University of Massachusetts P-16 STEM Initiative is a leadership and development program designed to:

• Grow more STEM competent/interested college graduates.
• Nurture a student STEM pipeline starting in the elementary grades.
• Bridge the current elementary, secondary and higher education gap by connecting the entire STEM educational enterprise.

Emphasis is on university and school faculty collaboration to develop and enhance curriculum and instruction reflecting the current best thinking in STEM; redesigning teacher preparation and in-service programs; collecting and maintaining up to date information about proven models; and working with all the stakeholders and key policy makers to develop a statewide plan which avoids unnecessary duplication and fills significant gaps.

This is a joint venture with The Office of Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and International Relations.

Projects include:

• The STEM Summit V: Implementing the Plan to be held on October 28, 2008
• Staffing and working with several STEM advisory boards such as the Goddard Council Leading a group of stakeholders in developing the outline for a state STEM plan

Visit Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Initiative Website

For more information, contact:

Isa Kaftal Zimmerman
Senior Fellow
(617) 287-7060

VA Medical Center

The UMass Donahue Institute provides consultation and services to the Center for Information Dissemination and Education Resources (CIDER), a VA Health Services Research and Development Service (HSR&D) national Resource Center.

CIDER's mission is to improve the health and care of veterans by disseminating important HSR&D findings and information to policy makers, managers, clinicians, and researchers throughout VA and the broader health care community.

The goal of CIDER's dissemination and education efforts is to support and encourage the use of research evidence in policy and practice decisions aimed at improving the quality of patient care and outcomes.

Visit the CIDER website.

For more information, contact:

Geraldine McGlynn
Director, Center for Information Dissemination and Education Resources, VA Boston Healthcare System
(857) 364-4944