$2.5 million grant approved – In October, the Department of Education approved UIW’s application to help promote graduate opportunities for Hispanics. The grant will provide $2,586,202 over five years.

The Promoting Post-baccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans (PPOHA) Program provides grants to expand post-baccalaureate educational opportunities for Hispanic students. The PPOHA also enhances the program quality in the institutions educating the majority of Hispanic college students and those that help large numbers of

Hispanic and low-income students complete postsecondary degrees. UIW was one of 21 institutions selected for the program.

One of the components to this project will be the establishment of the Graduate Services Center to coordinate academic and social activities for master’s students and engage them in graduate life. The director of the center will coordinate and oversee academic and social support services for master’s students as well as all grant-related tasks and activities.

Dr. Caroline Goulet

Dr. Caroline Goulet

 School of Physical Therapy – The first class of the Doctor of Physical Therapy is expected to start in Fall 2012.

The program director, Caroline Goulet, PT, Ph.D., began work at UIW on Sept. 27 and spent her first week participating in the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Developing Program and Accreditation Workshops and attending the APTA Education Leadership Conference in San Antonio.

The vision for the UIW problem-based learning physical therapy program is to educate primary healthcare professionals prepared to

• practice in diverse global environments,

• develop physical therapy services focused on patient- and client-centered care

• educate stakeholders about physical therapy services, availability and access to services, wellness, health promotion and disease prevention,

• incorporate the research process to enhance the quality of care and services,

• advocate for the common good for vulnerable and underserved populations,

• promote the advancement of the profession of physical therapy through leadership, and involvement in professional associations, as role models, and in contribution to the body of knowledge