Testimonials

I was attracted to the Graduate Reading Program (GRP) at Chicago State University (CSU) because it allowed me to pursue advanced studies in something I was very interested in. The GRP afforded me a flexible schedule that yielded a Master’s Degree in the end.

It’s hard to say what impacts the degree has had professionally yet. However, I know that my experiences within the program will make me a stronger reading teacher and coach. The main impact it had on me was definitely my own personal enrichment, which made it an incredibly fruitful and worthwhile endeavor. Being in the GRP also helped me in the following areas. As a result, I am

• Better able to understand the theoretical foundations for reading and language arts.
• Knowledgeable of techniques and approaches to teach developmental reading.
• Competent in assessing and evaluating students' reading abilities and capable of remediating students’ reading difficulties.
• Aware of learning differences, including social, cultural, linguistic, and cognitive.
• Knowledgeable of children's and adolescents’ literature; and its use in literacy instruction.
• Knowledgeable of language and orthographic development and capable of providing instruction in those areas.
• Knowledgeable of reading and writing development and research based best practices.
• Proficient in incorporating language arts with other content areas.
• Able to provide professional development leadership workshops; and to work collaboratively with classroom teachers, administrators and parents.
• Capable of developing and supervising a school-wide literacy program.
• Capable of understanding, interpreting, and evaluating research.

I enjoyed the GRP because it allowed me to study a field I was interested in and offered fantastic professional enrichment opportunities.

I recommend anyone interested in the GRP to speak with a faculty member in the program first; and decide whether a Master of Science Degree in the Teaching of Reading aligns with their personal and academic goals. I also suggest prospective students to investigate the GRP at CSU because it has been and remains accredited by the International Reading Association.

Lastly, I encourage anyone interest in pursuing a degree in higher education to look into alternative sources of financial aid, especially scholarships, grants, etc. During my studies in the GRP, I was awarded the ‘Barbara J. Farnandis Scholarship’. Being the recipient of this scholarship provided me with monetary assistance for a full academic year while I fulfilled curriculum requirements in the Masters of Science Degree in the Teaching of Reading.

Ericka D. Reed

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September 10, 2012

Dear Dr. Harrington,

Chicago State University has made a tremendous impact upon my life. As many know, I was serving my country as a paratrooper with the United States Army, when my family members’ health began to decline. Sadly enough, my father passed away, and my mother was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. As a result, I returned home to assist my siblings in caring for my mother.

It was during this time that I began the completion of my Bachelor’s Degree at Chicago State University. I continued my education further by pursuing my Master of Arts Degree, in Education from this great institution of higher learning.

Chicago State has truly been a blessing for me. It was there that I became firmly inspired in my determination to become a great teacher. Chicago State is a pearl on the south side of Chicago. It’s an institution that provides an excellent educational experience, against the beautiful backdrop of lush greenery and nature. There are various types of academic and social resources to guide and assist the Chicago State ‘Cougar’, throughout their university journey.

I believe that Education is the engine that bridges the gap between the socio-economic divide. It affords individuals greater opportunities and greater choices to accomplish those opportunities, during the course of their lifetime.

As an alumnus, I feel that I am better equipped and knowledgeable, and a much more accomplished person, due to my richly rewarding experiences, while a student at Chicago State University. All in all, Chicago State University was and is still a valuable resource for me, in the continuance and pursuit of my higher education. GO COUGARS!!!!!!!!!!

Sincerely,

Mr. Nicholas David Brown