Alumni Activities for Graduates of Programs in Special Education
Why Stay in Touch After Graduation?
Now that you have finally completed a degree program, you probably are tempted to want to put the experience behind you forever and move forward with your career and life. However, you want to maintain some ties to your alma mater and the people that meant so much to you during this exciting time. Alumni activities make it possible for you to stay in touch as the years pass.
There are several advantages of staying in touch as alumni of the University, the College, and the Department:
- updates on new developments at WVU and in the field of special education and disability services;
- information about available professional development opportunities that may help to advance careers;
- participation in program evaluation activities by providing feedback through surveys and focus groups; and
- support new program initiatives through involvement in development and implementation of courses and clinical experiences.
For more information about membership and benefits of joining the University group, please go to: WVU Alumni Association.
For more information about activities and events sponsored by the College group, please go to: HRE Alumni Association.
To remain active in the Department group, simply remember to update your contact information whenever necessary by contacting sped@mail.wvu.edu.
What Can We Do to Assist You Now?
Alumni may be interested in the following Department programs:
- accumulating extra credits to meet continuing education requirements OR to achieve salary increments through access to new opportunities for Professional Development;
- completing additional endorsements in other areas of specialization in special education by enrolling in Certification Programs;
- adding a second graduate degree to document expertise in a different area of specialization by enrolling in Master's Degree Programs; and
- earning a doctoral degree to open doors to a new career options through leadership position in special education or disability services by enrolling in a Doctoral Program.
How Can You Give Back?
Many alumni are appreciative of the quality education and personel support they received whil pursuing a certification or degree program at WVU. When resources permit, they want to give back to the Department to help faculty achieve their professional goals for enhancing or initiating programs or to assist future students in pursuing their dreams of a career in special education or disability services.
Through the College of Human Resources and Education"s Development Office, you can contribute by means of a one-time gift, an annual gift, or an endowment and ask that your money be targetd to the Department of Special Education to support an an activity or event of your choice (e.g., a scholarship in honor of a family member) OR to a general fund for special initiatives (e.g., purchase of new technologies).
Alumni have generously provided substantial support over the years:
- scholarships to support deserving students in special education programs;
- artwork created by people with disabilities in department offices;
- HDTV equipment for presentations in department conference room; and
- sponsorship of speakers, events and materials at statewide conferences.
For more information abouthow you can arrange to give back to the Department, please contact the HRE Development Office.