DEAN’S MESSAGE Welcome to the spring 2017 edition of the College of Education (COE) Newsletter. In the ensuing pages, you will find many exciting anecdotes and updates concerning our alumni, students, faculty and programs. This has been an outstanding year of accomplishments in areas such as the Diversity Speaker Series, John H. Lounsbury Speaker Series, national accreditations and rankings, and Dr. Joanne Previts being named the nation's Outstanding Professor of Middle Level Education. As you can see, our reputation continues to grow as we fully contribute to Georgia College’s path to preeminence defined by the latest GC strategic plan (1). Below are some specific ways we are supporting the strategic plan. Goal 1 GC’s Goal 1 is stated as “Recruit, admit, enroll, retain, and graduate highly qualified and diverse undergraduate students.” Our undergraduate cohort model continues to attract and retain excellent early childhood, middle grades and special education students. The Call Me MISTER, program also continues to grow and contribute to the increasing diversity of our undergraduate programs. Director Emmanuel Little is always looking for good MISTER candidates so please contact him with referrals at emmanuel.little@gcsu.edu or 478-445-8594. Goal 2 Goal 2 is to “Develop and implement distinctive and transformative undergraduate curricular and co-curricular experiences. Transformative experiences include, but are not limited to: undergraduate research; creative projects; study abroad; service learning; community-based learning; leadership development; diversity and global learning; and field and clinical-based practica, apprenticeships, preceptorships, and internships.” Again, our undergraduate cohort model includes extensive field experiences, a yearlong internship, and intensive projects such as the teacher work sample. It also provides ample opportunity for undergraduate research, service learning, and study abroad. These experiences make our graduates highly sought after by employers. Our Chair of Teacher Education Dr. Holley Roberts (holley.roberts@gcsu.edu, 478-445-3340) can provide further information if you are a student interested in learning and teaching abroad (3) or other experiences. Goal 3 The GC strategic plan goal 3 is to “Offer a limited number of exceptional quality graduate programs that are highly relevant to workforce demand and supportive of the university mission.” Our COE programs continue to be restructured in support of this goal. This summer, the Department of Professional Learning and Innovation faculty will offer the Curriculum and Instruction Master of Education and Teacher Leadership Specialist degrees to meet graduate student needs in our region. The Educational Leadership team will also begin a new Tier I and Tier II Educational Leadership program in the coming year. The Teacher Education Department faculty are beginning a restructured master’s degree in Middle Level Education as well as a fully-online Middle Grades MAT that leads to certification. The Teacher Education faculty are also developing a fullyonline Secondary Education MAT that will be offered in addition to the regular offerings in Macon and Milledgeville. If you are interested in any of the new programs or other programs, please contact Ms. Shanda Brand at shanda.brand@gcsu.edu or 478-445-1383. If you have a potential cohort at your school or district, please contact our Associate Dean Dr. John Harrison at john.harrison@gcsu.edu or 478-445-3225.
contain costs and redirect resources, Merissa Fedeli, our development officer, continues to grow our Advisory Board. That will not only help strategically direct our efforts but also help provide and identify the resources to support our students and important initiatives such as the diversity speaker series and John H. Lounsbury speaker series. If you are alumni or a current student and want to become involved, please be sure to contact her at 478-445-8548 or at merissa.fedeli@gcsu.edu. Goal 5 “Enhance a professional environment that encourages the recruitment, retention, and success of an exemplary and diverse faculty and staff” is GC’s goal 5. The COE continues to increase the diversity of its faculty and staff while providing a quality working environment to retain all faculty. Professional development is an important goal for all of our faculty and we continue to support opportunities for engaging in scholarly activities and leadership opportunities. Goal 6 Goal 6 of the strategic plan is to “Strengthen community and regional ties through service, research, programs, and partnerships that enhance economic, educational, and cultural opportunities to improve the quality of life for citizens of Milledgeville/Baldwin County and the middle Georgia region.” One exciting recent development that depicts this goal in the path to preeminence is the creation of Georgia’s Center for Early Language and Literacy (4). One of the COE’s own, Dr. Linda Bradley, is now the interim director and leading efforts to get the Center up and running. I am also honored to serve on the distinguished board appointed by Gov. Nathan Deal. The diverse and comprehensive board will guide early literacy efforts throughout the state. The work that will be accomplished by the Center’s staff is critical to helping Georgia’s children read on grade level by third grade. Georgia’s economic outlook continues to be positive for 2017 and beyond, meaning that there will continue to be a strong demand for a skilled workforce from our high schools, the Technical College System of Georgia, and the University System of Georgia. Early literacy is the key to supporting K-12 success and higher education achievement. For more information, please contact Dr. Bradley at 445-3340 or at linda.bradley@gcsu.edu. In closing, the stellar work of our students, faculty, and staff continue to build our reputation of excellence. I am privileged to work with such exceptional colleagues and undergraduate and graduate students. As always, please contact me with questions or ideas at joseph.peters@gcsu.edu or 478-445-2518.
Best wishes,
Joe Peters Dean of Education joseph.peters@gcsu.edu
Notes 1. http://www.gcsu.edu/sites/files/page-assets/node1315/attachments/2016_strategic_plan_to_preeminence_0.pdf 2. http://www.gcsu.edu/education/call-me-mister 3. http://www.gcsu.edu/education/teached/learnabroad 4. https://gov.georgia.gov/press-releases/2017-03-17/deal-announcesgeorgia-center-early-language-and-literacy-board
Goal 4 Goal 4, “Align resources through generation, redirection, prioritization, cost containment, and stewardship to address strategic priorities” continues to be a priority for the COE. In addition to finding new ways to
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