A movement centred around advancing the lives of Dominicans has partnered with two American universities to provide funding for master’s degrees to nationals, living both here and abroad.
This fall, qualifying applicants will have the chance to further their education thanks to the collaborative efforts of PushPast10, Western Illinois University, and Eastern Illinois University.
Dr. Simone Mathieu, creator of PushPast10 and associate professor of psychology at the University of Phoenix, highlighted during an exclusive interview with Dominica News Online (DNO) that this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity presented itself following an interview she conducted with Dr. Randy Glean.
Dr. Glean, the associate vice president of global studies at Western Illinois University and a proponent of higher education for the past 30 years, made the offer to fund the master’s degrees at his institution.
To further enable more citizens to enhance their knowledge and skill set, Dr. Glean reached out to the chair of the Department of Counseling and Higher Education at Eastern Illinois University, Dominica-born, Dr. Catherine Polydore, who also agreed to provide master’s degree funding at her university.
During the interview, Dr. Mathieu remarked that one of the goals of this initiative is to come up with some diversity in areas that many people may not have considered, “but it’s actually areas where the most funding is available.”
“Many times we look at the traditional areas. But we do not consider areas we may not have thought of that actually have more funding, more free money,” the Dominica-born educator stated.
In a departure from the norm, the programs offered at West Illinois University will include Geographic Information Systems, Museum Studies, Sociology, and English, while Eastern Illinois University will provide studies in college administration.
According to Dr. Mathieu, the program, which will cover about 80% of the costs, will feature a full tuition remission for the duration of the program contingent on maintaining a 3.0 GPA, a stipend of little over US$1000 per month for the school year, logistical assistance with obtaining suitable housing, relocation, and travel as well as Visa preparation for those who do not reside in the US.
More specifically, the first cohort will begin studying by September 2023, and successful applicants would only be required to pay roughly US$2,500 annually. With both Dr. Glean and Dr. Polydore slated to appear on the PushPast10 programme at some point next week to address further questions, Dr. Mathieu urged anyone interested to follow the organization’s social media accounts at https://www.facebook.com/pushpast10 and https://www.youtube.com/@pushpast1056 to keep informed.
The deadline for registration is set at the end of January 2023 and only holders of a bachelor’s degree living either on the island or abroad are eligible for the programme which will welcome new students on an annual basis.
The educator seized the chance to invite Dominicans living both domestically and abroad to collaborate with PushPast10 and to promote and enhance initiatives like these.
“Dominica has about 70,000 people on the island, but the missing linkage we always forget about is the additional 150,000 Dominicans living outside of the country” she said.
“So imagine the manpower, the woman power, we could generate if we joined forces.”
She emphasizes the ability of such acts to change one’s trajectory in life and profoundly enhance society as a whole.
“And that way, we continue to pay it forward. We continue to take care of our own, and we continue to advance the lives of Dominica,” Dr. Mathieu emphasized.
On a local level, the group has also collaborated with Miss Trudy Christian of the Dominica State College (DSC) and is currently working with her on the inter-secondary school debating competition.
One of the guiding principles of PushPast10, in addition to education, is to advocate for the protection of Dominica’s most vulnerable children.
As a result, Dr. Mathieu has teamed up with influential people locally and internationally to create a chance for Dominican children who are at risk of becoming voiceless to become advocates for themselves.
Regarding the organization’s future plans, the professor stated that in addition to improving the lives of Dominican kids through educational opportunities, PushPast10 also hopes to increase the reach of its outreach program for child safety services in Dominica.
“PushPast10 has really become a movement. And it is a movement to move our people,” she declared. “It is a movement to create financial opportunities for our people. It is also a movement for social advocacy.”
Dr. Mathieu continued by declaring 2022 as a great year for the organization since they were able to achieve other objectives such as promoting Dominican entrepreneurs’ products and services on numerous platforms, and she expressed hope for the future.
“We have a lot of work to do. But this is very exciting for me. This is where my passion lies. This is something I think that many of us are passionate about. But it’s just an opportunity to create one platform where everyone who’s interested in moving Dominica forward can come together to do just that,” she noted.
Following the release of her book PushPast10 in January 2020, Dr. Mathieu, who was always looking for new ways to give back to her country, went on to develop and host the radio program Untapped Potential. This program included motivational speakers, particularly from Dominica, who had faced life’s obstacles and were still able to stick to their
goals and succeed.
Later in 2020, Dr. Mathieu founded the social media platform PushPast10, which opened new doors and allowed her to produce and host another motivational show, Roots Connections on Q95 radio. Anyone interested in partnering with the organization on its various ventures is encouraged to send an email to [email protected].
Great going Simone
Me aself is scheme I scheming through each paragraph. So, I was able to see that the “successful applicant would require to pay $2,500.00 annually.” During that period how many credits would each applicant be allowed to take? Could a student chose the amount of credit he/she would like to take? My personal take is this, the human society has picked up enormous microwave speed and the time spent in a classroom is becoming a thing of the past. So just put this program online. This will reduce the hassles and Red Tape. Plus, COVID ain’t done yet!!!
This is an awesome initiative. Kudos to both Dr. Matieu and Dr Polydore. You are true advocates who put the best interest of Dominican Sons and Daughters at the forefront. Let your light continue to shine.
Your heart is truly toward your people. You may be out of Dominica but Dominica is in you. What a great initiative and contribution. If only the present admiration would go that way for the people, Dominica would be more advanced. Continue the great work so others may achieve. Thank you.
Thank you. For many of us Dominica is who we are so we will not turn our backs
One of her (Simone Mathieu) is of more value to our country than 50 Skerrits. You see, she gives and he only takes. When do Dominicans finally wake up and stop this man raiding our state and CBI coffers. It’s money that belongs to the citizens, not to him and his Missus. Here is the difference between a true patriot and a fake one.
Thanks Dr. Simone. Great efforts, great push, great initiative. All people like Ibo France all he does is talk, talk, talk and do nothing, contribute nothing. The same …. of his in 2023. All Skerrit has to do is snap his fingers and bam another snap election. Empty vessels make the most noise.
Great initiative. Hats off! It would be good for Dominica if it inspires other similar Diasporan groups into action.
Not Ibo France for sure. He criticizes everything. He is pieced off with the world today.
Thank you. We are stronger together
Thank you. Yes that would be great
Thank you both Dr. Mathieu and Dr. Polydore, nice to see you both working hard at giving back to the beautiful island of Dominica. Education is a life long journey and it takes all of us to give back. You set an example for all of us Convent High Graduates especially graduates from the 90’s.
Many blessings to you both.
Thank you. Together we can move mountains, Simone
Can you also remove that evil ‘mountain’ that resides for so long now in the financial centre? Nothing you guys do has any meaning until we, as a people, get rid of that cancer that is bleeding our country to death and continues to inflict so much misery to our country.