UDC, MSSPA and Briya Public Charter School to Host Celebration for UDC’s First Bilingual Early Childhood Education Program Graduates on Saturday, March 25

Washington—On Saturday, March 25, at 1:00 p.m., the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), Briya Public Charter School and the Multicultural Spanish Speaking Providers Association will host an event to celebrate the first cohort of students to earn UDC’s innovating bilingual Associate in Arts degree in Education, Birth to Age 3.

Through their perseverance and dedication, these trailblazing educators are leading the way to increase access to high-quality, multilingual early childhood education in the District of Columbia. UDC’s inclusionary program serves as both a local and national model, inspiring others to open the doors of education to bilingual students across multiple fields.

UDC’s Associate in Arts in Education degree provides a comprehensive background in developmental theory, emphasizing the practical application of theory to appropriate environments for culturally, linguistically, and developmentally diverse children. The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of adults working in various early childhood settings, including public and private daycare homes, child development centers, kindergartens, Head Start, and preschool and school-age care programs.

The event will recognize the founding class, thank the program’s generous supporters and inspire guests to build a more equitable educational system that recognizes the full potential of all District residents.

The event’s featured speakers include Sara Mead, Deputy Superintendent of Early Learning in the Office of the State Superintendent of Education; Antoinette Mitchell, Ph.D., Assistant Superintendent of Postsecondary and Career Education in the Office of the State Superintendent of Education; Jackie Reyes, Director, Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs; and Marica Cox Mitchell, Vice President, Early Childhood, Bainum Family Foundation.

When:

Saturday, March 25 at 1:00 p.m.

Where:
University of the District of Columbia Community College
Bertie Backus Campus Auditorium
5171 South Dakota Ave NE, Washington, DC 20017

RSVP (MEDIA):
For media inquiries or RSVPs, please contact Leeann Hall at leeann.hall@udc.edu or 202.934.5047

About the University of the District of Columbia

The only public university in the nation’s capital and the only exclusively urban land-grant university in the United States, the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) is a historically Black university committed to a broad mission of education, research and community service. Established by abolitionist Myrtilla Miner in 1851, UDC offers workforce training, professional certification and more than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees designed to create opportunities for student success. The University comprises a College of Arts and Sciences; School of Engineering and Applied Sciences; School of Business and Public Administration; College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences; Community College; the David A. Clarke School of Law; and Division of Workforce Development and Lifelong Learning. Learn more at udc.edu.

About the Multicultural Spanish Speaking Providers Association

The Multicultural Spanish Speaking Providers Association (MSSPA) is a professional membership association. Our members include childcare centers, licensed home daycares and Early Childhood teachers.

About Briya Public Charter School

In Briya Public Charter School‘s two-generation model, adults and their young children learn together. At Briya, immigrant parents study English, from basic to advanced levels, and their young children thrive in high-quality early education classes at the same time. Briya also offers a high school diploma and training to earn Child Development Associate and Medical Assistant credentials. The school has a long-term partnership with Mary’s Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center, to connect students with comprehensive services that address total family well-being.