Welcome to the introductory course of the MAECEL program. This course aims to strengthen your self-awareness as an educational professional and support your individual growth and future success. It is critical that you have a clear understanding of the program’s overall scope and trajectory. This discussion encourages you to think beyond just this first course and the career you envision for yourself.

Please respond to each of the following parts:

Part I: Who You Are

As a graduate student, advocate for social justice and educational leader, you wear many different hats. It is important that you always know and can succinctly summarize who you are within these settings. As you describe who you are, consider your goals, passions, experience, and interests.

In Part I of your introduction, discuss who you are as a:

· Graduate student

· Leader

· Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) professional

Additionally, provide the following details:

· Discuss your personal and professional goals upon completion of your degree program.

· Describe any recent trends or changes you have experienced or read about in the field of early childhood education.

Part II: Program Connection

As a University of Arizona Global Campus graduate student, you are part of a larger community. On a small scale, you are part of the MAECEL program, but on a much larger scale, you are a student within the College of Arts and Sciences in the Department of Education and Liberal Arts. This part of your introduction aims to connect you with the MAECEL program. To prepare for this part of the discussion, explore the Degree Completion Journey section in the MAECEL course list. Spend time navigating through each course to read descriptions and better understand how the courses build on each other.

In your discussion, address the following:

· Describe the expectations you have for yourself as a MAECEL graduate student.

· Describe the expectations you have for others as MAECEL graduate students.

· Identify two courses that you feel excited about.

· Discuss how these two courses influence your professional goals.