Maryland Institute for Minority Achievement and Urban Education
recognized as vanguard of community excellence for minority achievement

COLLEGE PARK, MD (May 2007) – The College of Education's Maryland Institute for Minority Achievement and Urban Education (MIMAUE) is the recipient of two prestigious community awards bestowed by the Achievement Initiative for Maryland's Minority Students (AIMMS) Council and Steering Committee. Presented in April during a gala ceremony and dinner held in Baltimore, the Institute was recognized with a 2007 Community Excellence for Minority Achievement Award representing Prince George's County Public Schools, and the 2007 Maryland State Vanguard Award.

"It is great to be recognized for the partnership we have developed with Prince George's schools over the past six years," said Martin L. Johnson, Associate Dean for Research, Urban and Minority Education, and Director of MIMAUE. "The future looks bright for even greater progress."

The Community Excellence Award is given in recognition of outstanding contributions that have promoted a better understanding of diverse groups, and advance achievement among minority, economically disadvantaged, and disabled students. Recipients are selected from the community by each of the 24 local schools. This year 21 honorees were named for this award. From the pool of Community Excellence Award winners, MIMAUE was the one selected to receive the Maryland State Vanguard Award in honor of its demonstrated extraordinary vision and leadership to advance the success of minority students.

Founded in 2001, MIMAUE links the intellectual capital and resources of the College of Education with area school districts. Through a process of collaborative school reform, the Institute works with schools and teachers to build robust educational climates that support high achievement while addressing the minority achievement gap and issues in urban education. Comprehensive initiatives are developed in partnership with local administrators and teachers to target real-world problems. Efforts to date include programs to develop innovative strategies to increase achievement, along with professional development to improve teachers' knowledge and skills and administrators' school management proficiency.

"We believe that in some small way, we have helped both students and teachers increase their education knowledge and competence," said Johnson.

To learn more about MIMAUE's work, visit www.education.umd.edu/MIMAUE.