ROCK ISLAND, IL (02/16/2015)(readMedia)-- This past fall term, more than 40 Augustana College students utilized Augie Choice, a $2,000 grant available to Augustana students to fund a study abroad experience, internship or research project.

The following students from your area were among the students who used Augie Choice during this past fall term:

Courtney Camlin of Rock Island.

Hailey Coulter of Silvis.

Ryan Greene of Hampton.

Marisa Lara of Silvis.

Sierra Thiery of Rock Island.

Daniel Zahn of Moline.

Augie Choice was designed by an Augustana student to help make life-changing experiences possible for future students. More information about Augie Choice is available at http://www.augustana.edu/augiechoice.

Founded in 1860, Augustana College is a selective four-year residential college of the liberal arts and sciences. The college is recognized for the innovative program Augie Choice, which provides each student up to $2,000 to pursue a high-impact learning experience such as study abroad, an internship or research with a professor. Current students and alumni include 155 Academic All-Americans, a Nobel laureate, 13 college presidents and other distinguished leaders. The college enrolls 2,500 students and is located along one of the world's most important waterways, the Mississippi River, in a community that reflects the diversity of the United States.

AMES, IA (02/13/2015)(readMedia)-- Isis Devalle, a freshman in the College of Human Sciences studying apparel, merchandising, and design, was selected to represent the College of Human Sciences as an Iowa State University Cyclone Aide for the Summer of 2015. Devalle was one of six students in the College of Human Sciences selected to help facilitate Iowa State University's summer orientations for new students. Devalle is from Bettendorf, Iowa (52722)

Cyclone Aides are undergraduate student leaders who facilitate Orientation and Destination Iowa State throughout the year. Devalle will serve as an orientation leader by providing new students with an introduction to campus and its resources, providing campus and residence hall tours, preparing students for academic advising appointments, serving on information panels, and sharing information about Iowa State with new students and their family members.

Cyclone Aides coordinate the Destination Iowa State program by helping with the selection and supervision of Team Leaders, planning activities and implementing the event. Additionally, Cyclone Aides assist with campus visits and student recruitment throughout the year. Cyclone Aides are an integral part of the Office of New Student Programs.

OMAHA, NE (02/12/2015)(readMedia)-- Full-time students who earn a 3.5 grade-point average or better on a 4.0 scale are eligible for the Dean's List. The following students from your area were named to the fall 2014 Dean's List:

Samantha Staver of Bettendorf (52722), a senior in the College of Nursing

Thomas Bush of Davenport (52807), a sophomore in the Heider College of Business

Allison Hanser of Davenport (52807), a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences

James Huiskamp of Davenport (52803), a freshman in the Heider College of Business

Katherine Huiskamp of Davenport (52803), a junior in the Heider College of Business

Christina Laubenthal of Davenport (52807), a junior in the Heider College of Business

Andrew Wilson of Eldridge (52748), a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences

Natalie Lang of Le Claire (52753), a freshman in the College of Nursing

Molly McPherson of Moline (61265), a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences

Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., enrolls 4,000 undergraduates and 4,200 graduate and professional students among nine schools and colleges. No other university its size offers students such a comprehensive academic environment with personal attention from faculty-mentors. Jesuit and Catholic, it affords incomparable interprofessional education, bridging health professions programs with law, business and arts and sciences' all on one walkable campus. Creighton has been top-ranked by U.S. News & World Report for 20 years. For more information visit: www.creighton.edu.

Washington, DC - Congressman Dave Loebsack (IA-02) was joined today by Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13), Congresswoman Susan Davis (CA-53), Congressman Matt Cartwright (PA-17), and Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3) in introducing the Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Act. This legislation supports teacher training in SEL to help young people better handle societal issues thus boosting their academic potential. Students receiving an education that includes SEL programs do better on tests, show greater social behaviors, and less emotional stress. Furthermore, students are far less likely to engage in problem behavior like alcohol and drug use, violence, truancy, and bullying.

"As a former educator, I know there are many factors outside of the classroom that contribute to students' academic success. That is why we must focus on the needs of the "whole child" and ensure students have the social and emotional capabilities to solve problems and work effectively in group settings that will prepare them for jobs in the 21st century global economy," said Rep. Dave Loebsack. "In order to accomplish this, we must provide teachers with the necessary training and resources to effectively educate our students and prepare them for success in postsecondary education and the workforce. I look forward to working with Representatives Ryan and Davis on this important piece of legislation."

"I have seen firsthand what teaching social and emotional learning can do for students and their classrooms in Ohio and across the nation," said Rep. Tim Ryan. "These programs are scientifically proven to help students increase skills in problem-solving, conflict resolution, responsible decision-making and relationship building - these are the skills that will build the foundation for students to better perform academically and throughout their lives. Now is the time to promote programs that create a safer and more secure school culture in America."

If there's one thing that unites Republicans and Democrats, it's the belief that America is about both mind and heart--that our great national commitment to citizenship and character are as important as our commitment to competition and growth," said Tim Shriver, Board Chair of the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL). "For too long, schools have been told to separate the head from the heart--to separate the social and emotional development of children from their cognitive learning. We know that's the wrong way to teach and the wrong way to learn. This bill will help our schools get it right by using the best evidence based programs to optimize our children's chances of learning how to be as smart and as good as they can be."

"Decades of research show that well-implemented social and emotional learning (SEL) programming improves students' behavior and academic performance," said Roger Weissberg, Board Vice-Chair of CASEL. "Recent national polls indicate that educators and parents believe that SEL should be an educational priority. It is critical to provide quality professional development for administrators and teachers so they provide the most beneficial programming for students."

A landmark meta-analysis of 213 SEL programs with a combined sample of more than 270,000 students clearly established the effectiveness of SEL programs across a number of areas critical to the success of students. Students scored 11 percentile points higher on standardized achievement tests, a significant improvement relative to peers not receiving SEL programming. The Academic, Social and Emotional Learning Act builds on this report and a large body of research proving that social and emotional programming has a positive impact on student learning.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), students who feel more connected to school are more likely to have positive health and education outcomes and that a close relationship between the emotional welfare and health of the student can create a safer and more secure environment for learning. The CDC recommends that schools "provide students with the academic, emotional, and social skills necessary to be actively engaged in school."

This legislation defines social and emotional learning (SEL) and amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) to allow funding for teacher and principal training and professional development to be used for SEL programming.

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