RCU breaks ground on expansion

Participating in the RCU groundbreaking ceremony are (from left) Therrell Myers, associate state superintendent of education; Melvin Ray, acting vice president for research; Tom Burnham, state superintendent of education; President Donald Zacharias; Bill Horne, chairman of the Mississippi Manufacturers Association; and Rebecca Love-Wilkes, RCU director.

An educational research program long associated with Mississippi State is about to increase the size of its building to keep up with an expanded statewide mission.

The Research and Curriculum Unit recently held groundbreaking ceremonies for a 4,500 square-foot expansion of its existing offices at 601 Hogan St., the former Starkville post office location.

Established 30 years ago, the RCU is a joint program of the state education department and Mississippi State. In recent years, it has played a key role in development of the Tech-Prep academic framework for state secondary schools. It also is heavily involved in creating a new assessment to help determine the work readiness of students completing state vocational education courses.

Additionally, the RCU creates customized training materials for workforce enhancement and has worked with the Mississippi Manufacturers Association to introduce changes in workplace requirements for the 21st century.

"Through research, collaboration and strategic planning, our goal is to help prepare Mississippians for the demands of the future," said RCU director Rebecca Love-Wilkes. "This expansion will significantly enhance our ability to serve the state."

In recognition of the unit's contributions, the National Association of State Directors of Vocational-Technical Education Consortium recently presented Wilkes the 1996-97 Outstanding Contribution to Vocational-Technical Education Award.