MERIT

Multicultural Educational Retention Initiative for Transformation (MERIT) is a community-building, retention and mentoring program designed to support students in Auburn University’s College of Education. MERIT works to foster an intellectual and engaged community that values and celebrates educational excellence. We envision a learning community that goes beyond tolerance of difference to become one of inclusive excellence – one guided by the principles of equity, social justice, cultural competence and engaged citizenship found in the college’s Core Values. We believe inclusivity is essential to achieving the standards of excellence to which we aspire.

Inclusive excellence is organized around a concept of diversity that is historically situated and includes multiple social and cultural identities. Its goal is to foster the excellence of all community members and promote meaningful interactions and relationships with diverse peoples and perspectives within the College of Education and across a variety of campus and community interests.

Retention and Mentoring

Retaining all students is essential in meeting the growing need for educators, administrators, health specialists and human service professionals in a changing economic, political and academic environment. As a retention initiative, MERIT aims to successfully recruit and retain students from diverse backgrounds and socioeconomic status throughout Alabama and the nation. By fostering participation in MERIT programs and activities, we hope to inspire mentors and mentees to see this as an opportunity to engage in culturally responsive practice and dialogue. MERIT embraces the fact that well-educated and supported educators represent the heart of educational equity, and we work to build capacity at all levels in order to bring about systemic and sustainable change that delivers positive outcomes for all students.

In order to help students realize their academic and career goals, the MERIT Program will match them with faculty mentors, as well as master’s and doctoral-level graduate students in a related field of study. These relationships provide valuable give-and-take for both parties. Mentors are able to hone their leadership, communication and mentoring skills while guiding students through the challenging phases of their educational experience. Mentors advise MERIT Program scholars on such aspects as the initial transition to a university setting, first-year courses and the acquisition of time management techniques and effective study habits.

Our vision

Our primary goal is to increase graduation rates among participating College of Education students. Also, we strive to overcome retention challenges by ensuring students know they are valued and challenging them to excel. The MERIT Program invites all individuals eager to become culturally competent and highly qualified leaders in education to participate.

Objectives

Increase graduation rates of undergraduate students in the College of Education
Develop the academic and cultural competency skills of undergraduate students in the College of Education
Enhance the academic and multicultural knowledge and pedagogy of undergraduates
Enhance the College of Education climate to foster and support inclusive excellence

Last Updated: Feb 11, 2011