Salem State University has announced a $10 million gift from the Cummings Foundation to expand the programming of its School of Education.

The largest cash contribution ever made to a Massachusetts state university will be used to build an infrastructure that is more responsive to the long-term and emerging workforce needs of local school districts in Lynn, Salem, Revere, and Peabody as well as other districts in the state. To that end, the funding will help diversify the educator pipeline for all teacher license areas, create a center for professional learning aimed at retaining teachers and school leaders, prepare educators to meet student needs beyond preK-12 education, and support pathways to licensure for hundreds of emergency-licensed teachers in the region. In recognition of the university’s partnership with the foundation, the school of education will be named after former Cummings Properties president and Salem State alumnus James L. (Jamie) McKeown.

“We are delighted to deepen our partnership with Salem State University, and in doing so, support the vibrancy of the North Shore,” said Bill Cummings, who signed the Giving Pledge in 2011. “Salem State is at the heart of ensuring that all students have access to a high-quality education and the opportunity to advance themselves, their families, and their communities. It is also a major contributor to workforce development in the MetroNorth region.”

(Photo credit: Salem State University)