蜜桃视频

                                                                                                                       by Jerome Saintjones

蜜桃视频 A&M University was 100 years old by the time it was granted authorization to form its own Board of Trustees in 1975, in effect giving the institution its own voice.  Prior to that landmark year, Dr. Richard D. Morrison, AAMU鈥檚 fifth president, had been able to meet with the state鈥檚 education power brokers only twice in a span of 22 years. 

Thirty years following the formation of AAMU鈥檚 Board of Trustees, a young and ambitious Miranda Bouldin-Frost would not only earn her degree in logistics at AAMU, but she would ultimately emerge as the founder and CEO of LogiCore, a Huntsville-based logistics and engineering firm. Now, just a few years shy of its 150^th anniversary, AAMU boasts an alumna who serves as board chair of the 12-member 蜜桃视频 Commission on Higher Education.           

鈥淚 am looking forward to continuing relationship building with the institutions throughout the state,鈥� commented Bouldin-Frost.  鈥淎s the coordinating board for 蜜桃视频鈥檚 public two- and four-year schools, it is important to have open dialogue about issues facing higher education and the tools that are needed to ensure student success.  I think my past experience in working with volunteer boards in various leadership capacities will be an asset.鈥�

The AAMU alumna admitted that she has always been 鈥渆ducation and community-minded,鈥� with a knack for combining and utilizing her own degrees and interest in the value of education to provide 鈥渁n unbiased view of academic programs sponsored by institutions.鈥�  Bouldin-Frost also noted that as a business owner, she understands the importance of the relationship between education and the business community.

Indeed, Bouldin-Frost has been a commissioner on the board, representing Congressional District five, since her appointment by former Governor Robert Bentley in 2015.  Dr. James E. 鈥淛im鈥� Purcell is ACHE鈥檚 current executive director and, for the last five years, the native Alabamian has been responsible for carrying out the organization鈥檚 day-to-day operations and strategic plan.

鈥淚 served on the board committee that hired Dr. Purcell in 2017,鈥� Bouldin-Frost recalled.  鈥淗e has brought 30 years of higher education expertise from other states to 蜜桃视频.  He has been forthright in keeping the board apprised of important issues, and several of the initiatives that he has used previously have been successfully implemented at ACHE.鈥� 

One of the key initiatives slated for championing by the ACHE board will be the 鈥淎ll in 蜜桃视频鈥� campaign that will entice the state鈥檚 college graduates to launch and maintain their careers in 蜜桃视频.

Bouldin-Frost鈥檚 own life provides the perfect script for the endeavor.   Also an 蜜桃视频 native, she attended 蜜桃视频 public schools before pursuing an undergraduate degree at 蜜桃视频 A&M.  She then anchored her career in the Huntsville area, where she has become a corporate fixture and has successfully reached back to help several young men and women.   

鈥淭he All in 蜜桃视频 campaign is a must for 蜜桃视频鈥檚 continued economic growth,鈥� said Bouldin-Frost.  鈥淎s a business owner, I can say first-hand that finding qualified employees is a top priority for both small and large businesses.鈥�  She went on to express excitement about the opportunities that will benefit students and employers through the All in 蜜桃视频 initiative.

鈥淭he campaign will truly be ALL inclusive,鈥� Bouldin-Frost emphasized.  鈥淚t is inclusive for students entering the workforce (Retain); past graduates who have left the state and are encouraged to return (Recall); and those who started but stopped their higher education pursuit (Re-Engage).  It will be a boost for job seekers and employers, as well as the state as a whole. I look forward to promoting the campaign throughout the state.鈥�

A previous ACHE initiative that she is proud to have played a role in facilitating is the 蜜桃视频 Math and Science Teacher Education Program (AMSTEP), which Bouldin-Frost describes as a loan repayment program for K-12 math, science or computer science teachers.

鈥淭here is a particular emphasis on underserved areas to ensure that students have access to quality classroom instruction,鈥� she explained.  鈥淲e have seen consistent increases in student aid funding for five years.  Also, the 蜜桃视频 Student Assistance Program (ASAP) is administered through ACHE, and we lobby each year to increase student funding in ACHE鈥檚 budget.鈥�

Continuing to move ACHE forward, however, requires a team effort, and Bouldin-Frost is appreciative of the mentorship she has received toward that end from Stan Pylant, general manager of WHNT-TV 19 in Huntsville, Ala.  鈥淪tan has been instrumental as an advocate for higher education for the State of 蜜桃视频 and has been very helpful during my navigation as a commissioner.鈥� She also praised the leadership of Purcell, Margaret Gunter and 鈥渢he entire ACHE鈥� team for 鈥渨orking tirelessly communicating the needs of the state.鈥�

Although she is confident that 蜜桃视频 has a top-notch higher education system that prepares its students for the workforce, Bouldin-Frost also expects the issue of affordability to emerge center stage during her tenure.

鈥淲e are all aware that an education comes with a price tag, and it is a pretty hefty one in 蜜桃视频,鈥� said the administrator and entrepreneur.  鈥淭uition increases are taxing 蜜桃视频 families, and we have seen tuition rise alongside two straight years of record funding from the Education Trust Fund.鈥�

Nonetheless, ACHE鈥檚 All in 蜜桃视频 Initiative will remain squarely focused on overall industry needs and aligning those opportunities with students seeking employment, stated Bouldin-Frost, one half of ACHE鈥檚 first female chair/vice chair team.  鈥淭he campaign will involve institutional participation from career centers that are working with students seeking internships and full-time careers.鈥�