Long-time Delaware County resident and former school administrator Dick Daniel has been selected to lead Project Leadership Delaware County, an initiative to improve high school graduation rates and promote post-secondary educations.Project Leadership, a non-profit agency based in Grant County, is expanding its education work into the Delaware County community through the support of the Ball Brothers Foundation. The Ball Brothers Foundation awarded a grant that will focus on these key areas:
· Recruiting eligible 6th-, 7th- and 8th-grade students into the state’s Twenty-first Century Scholars program, which offers four years of tuition assistance to state colleges.
· Retaining students who have been enrolled into the Twenty-first Century Scholars program through mentoring and accountability initiatives designed to ensure they complete high school and pursue higher educations.
Daniel, who retired in spring 2008 as the principal of Muncie Central High School, has a 30-year history with Muncie schools, working closely with school administrative teams, teachers, parents and community members.
“Mr. Daniel’s education background, administrator experience, high visibility in the community and passion for Delaware County and its youths made him an ideal choice,” Project Leadership Director Tammy Pearson said.
Project Leadership is partnering with the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce to launch the program, which is being supported through funding by the Ball Brothers Foundation through June 2012. Program objectives will include:
GOAL 1: Develop a strategic plan, concentrating on program sustainability, accountability and project partners.
GOAL 2: Increase the number of Delaware County 6th, 7th and 8th graders enrolled in the Twenty-first Century Scholars program.
GOAL 3: Launch a mentoring program for Twenty-first Century Scholars that matches students with community volunteers.
GOAL 4: Guide students in their career paths, coaching them through the development of portfolios they will use to apply for future scholarships, college and jobs.
GOAL 5: Educate students and bring hope to families by helping them develop college costs plans.
Project Leadership Delaware County will be housed in the Muncie Career Center, ADDRESS. Daniel’s will begin in his position March 9th.
