FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Barbara Nitzberg (914) 654-5285

SCHOOL OF NEW RESOURCES PARTICIPATES IN INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH PROJECT ON WOMEN’S EDUCATION

NEW ROCHELLE, NY, June 24, 2004 -- Two years ago, the National Women’s Education Center (NWEC) in Japan launched an ambitious multi-year research project to identify women’s interest in learning and their learning behavior in four countries –- Korea, Japan, Norway, and the U.S.  NWEC invited the School of New Resources at The College of New Rochelle to be one of two American representatives, thanks to SNR’s outstanding reputation in adult learning. Next month, the original 2002 participants will come together again at NWEC headquarters outside Tokyo, Japan and to EWHA Women’s University in Seoul, Korea to formally review the survey data and analyses.

“I was delighted to have had the opportunity to share the SNR model of adult learning and demonstrate its success with our international colleagues in higher ed,” said Elza Dinwiddie-Boyd, Dean of the School of New Resources at CNR.  “Coming together again will allow us to determine best practices, address barriers to success, and recommend new opportunities to ensure the empowerment and lifelong learning of women around the world.”

The goal of the NWEC project, funded by the Japanese Ministry of Education, was to have educators from the four participating countries share information, collaborate on survey development, and implement the actual survey in their respective countries.  The survey began two years ago.  Now the four countries will share the results and an analysis of the results from the data collected, to develop educational policies, planning, and initiatives to empower women.  Lifelong learning data from SNR was compiled on more than 350 students at its six campuses over a six month timeframe.  SNR focus groups also yielded useful data.

NWEC invited SNR to participate because of its outstanding reputation in adult learning. The other participants include:

• Korea -- EWHA Women’s University is the leading choice for women’s higher education in the country;
  
• Norwegian Education Researchers -- the right of every citizen to “cradle-to-grave” education has been an integral part of the country since the inception of the Norwegian constitution; and
  
• University of Wisconsin – faculty member Dr. Betty Hayes, who is a widely published expert on women in higher education.
  

Given the long-standing cultural bias for women to focus their energy on the home, women in Asian countries today face incredible odds in pursuing higher education and career goals.  In many ways, the current environment for Asian women is similar to the situation for American women in the 1940s.

Founded in 1972, The College of New Rochelle School of New Resources has graduated over 13,400 adult learners with baccalaureate liberal arts degrees.  Over 51% of SNR graduates have gone on to obtain advanced degrees at more than 34 colleges and universities nationwide. Many hold senior management positions in the public and private sectors. SNR currently serves an average of 4,500 adult students on seven campuses with an 86-member, full-time administrative and faculty staff as well as a 500-member, adjunct faculty body.  SNR has been recognized as a model for adult education.


The first Catholic college for women in New York State, The College of New Rochelle was founded in 1904 by the Ursuline Order. Today, it comprises the all-women School of Arts & Sciences, and three schools which admit women and men: the School of New Resources (for adult learners), the School of Nursing and the Graduate School.  The main campus of the College is located in lower Westchester County, 16 miles north of New York City.  The College maintains six other campus locations in New York City. Visit the College’s website at www.cnr.edu
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