THE FACILITATOR
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION NEWSLETTER
A GROUNDBREAKING COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION
Fayetteville State University took a groundbreaking step toward shaping the future. On Thursday, December 12th, 2024, it officially broke ground for its new College of Education (COE) building, marking a significant milestone in its dedication to training future educators The building is being constructed on the north end of the Fayetteville State campus, off Langdon Street, near Willis B. McLeod Hall. The $69.3 million project is funded through an allocation by the North Carolina General Assembly.
The new four-storied, 72,027 square feet, College of Education building will have classrooms, conference rooms, and offices, equipped with the latest technology. The expanded space will support increased enrollment and allow the introduction of new bachelor's and graduate degree programs. “For generations, Fayetteville State has been a pipeline for producing teachers, principals, superintendents, administrators, and professors for North Carolina, ” Chancellor Darrell T Allison said to an audience of campus officials, elected leaders, faculty, students, and community members gathered for the event He also expressed gratitude to those in attendance, adding, “This groundbreaking signifies that Fayetteville State University is doubling down on our commitment to educating the educators of tomorrow.”
Special thanks to those who joined us in celebrating this milestone!
THE BRONCO EXPANSION PROJECT
Celebrating the Success of The Bronco Expansion Program
The Bronco Expansion Program, a collaborative initiative between Fayetteville State University’s College of Education and Cumberland County Schools, successfully concluded on October 31, 2024.
Hosted at Walker Spivey Elementary and sponsored by the NC Collaboratory, the program was designed to provide students with additional learning opportunities to address gaps in in-person instruction from 2020 and 2021
Students received targeted academic instruction and were exposed to postsecondary educational opportunities. Faculty and staff from across FSU engaged students through interactive workshops and pathways into higher education.
Beyond academic support, the program demonstrated FSU’s commitment to community engagement. Participating families received monthly distributions of food, toiletries, and educational supplies, underscoring a holistic approach to supporting students and their families.
The 2023–2024 school year concluded in May, with impressive academic progress for all students To celebrate their achievements, each student and a parent or guardian spent the day at Carowinds Theme Park
Reflecting on The Bronco Expansion Program’s accomplishments, we sincerely thank everyone involved for their dedication and support. The program ’ s success would not have been possible without the collective efforts of the students, volunteers across FSU and the community, and our students. We sincerely thank everyone for the contributions that made a positive impact on the lives of the students and the community.
AMERICAN EDUCATION WEEK - 2024
American Education Week 2024 at the College of Education, Fayetteville State University (FSU), was a vibrant celebration of learning, leadership, and community impact. Throughout the week, events highlighted the commitment to education and collaboration.
The Administrative Luncheon and the MSA & EdD Leadership Series offered valuable insights from educational leaders Students and faculty engaged with young learners through FSU Read Aloud sessions at the FSU Early Childhood Learning Center and Margaret Willis Elementary School.
The Sub-Above Awards recognized four substitute teachers and paraprofessionals for their dedication and contributions to education. In addition, nine cooperating teachers received tokens of appreciation during the Teacher Appreciation Drop, acknowledging their critical role in mentoring teacher candidates One teacher expressed heartfelt gratitude, "I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve, build capacity, and invest in new teachers! Often, our efforts go unnoticed and unappreciated, but TODAY, you made me feel like a million bucks for doing what I LOVE!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!"
A special ceremony, 30 Years of Excellence in Leadership & Scholarship: Honoring Our Past, Inspiring Our Future, marked the doctoral program ’ s 30 years of excellence and celebrated graduates who completed the program in 1994
Other highlights included Recruitment Initiatives for undergraduate and graduate programs, a Declaration Mixer with FSU alumni, the CI Brown Lecture featuring storyteller Gran'daddy Junebug, and a Toiletry Drive to support families at the FSU Early Childhood Learning Center.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this meaningful and impactful celebration. Together, we continue to inspire and shape the future of education.
Jocelyn Smith and Christy Thomas American Education Week Co-Chairs
FACULTY RESEARCH
Dr. Jocelyn Smith-Gray recently published a book with Lexington Books, Teacher Education Department Chairs and Social Justice: Transformative Leadership Through Inclusivity This work explores the critical need for teacher education programs to integrate sociopolitical curricula and critical race theory, emphasizing the transformative role of leadership in cultivating socially just educators. Dr. Smith-Gray provides practical strategies to promote inclusivity and equity in education, empowering educators to unlock the potential of historically underserved students. Her insightful contributions inspire ongoing creation of equitable and transformative educational opportunities for future generations
Dr Reeshemah Johnson delivered three impactful presentations during the Fall of 2024. At the NCACTE Fall Forum, she presented “Empowering Future Educators to Prioritize SelfCare and Mental Well-Being by Leveraging Digital Technologies and Providing Resources and Strategies for Digital Detox, ” and copresented another presentation with Dr. Kimberly Smith-Burton, titled “Boosting Math Success: Proven Strategies for Acing the Praxis Core Math Exam. ”
Dr. Johnson also presented “You Can't Pour from an Empty Cup: Practical Strategies for Leveraging Technology to Prioritize Your Mental Health and Wellbeing” at the Bridging the Gap: Uniting NC K-16 STEM Education Conference
Dr Christy Thomas's research article, titled "MilitaryConnected High School Graduates' Lived Experiences with K-12 Civilian Schools, " has been published in i-manager’s Journal on Humanities & Social Sciences, Vol. 4, No. 2, August 2024 The article is based on her dissertation and addresses the unique challenges faced by military-connected students in civilian educational settings.
The study examined the K-12 lived experiences of MilitaryConnected (M-C) graduates of public schools in a large southeastern U.S. school district, where most military children attend civilian schools. The central research question focused on how M-C graduates describe their overall K-12 experiences. Findings provide insights for educational stakeholders to improve the teaching and learning of M-C students in civilian schools.
Dr Haithcox-Dennis “Dr H-D” in partnership with Dr. Mariza James, delivered a presentation titled “Faithful Advocacy: Championing Interfaith Collaboration for Increased Health Equity” at the 2024 Society for Public Health Education’s Advocacy Summit
Further advancing her interfaith leadership, Dr. H-D secured a $60,000 Interfaith America grant to enhance religious literacy among healthpromoting majors at FSU Cowritten with Dr Stephanie Hodges from Nursing and Dr Paul Boaheng from Philosophy, the grant will fund curriculum development, health outreach, and study abroad opportunities in Canada and the Dominican Republic. These initiatives aim to equip students with the knowledge and experience to address health inequities through an interfaith lens
FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS
The COE Applauds two BRIDGES Graduates
Dr Christy Thomas and Dr Jocelyn Smith-Gray, graduated from the BRIDGES Academic Leadership Program in November 2024 They joined 38 distinguished professionals from the UNC System and private institutions across NC.
Dr. Thomas and Dr. Smith-Gray developed a deeper understanding of the complexities of higher education, enhanced their strategic negotiation skills, and created personalized professional development plans to support their growth and benefit Fayetteville State Univer
BRIDGES is an inclusive professional development program dedicated to supporting cisgender or transgender women and nonbinary colleagues in higher education who seek to gain or strengthen their academic leadership capabilities and/or individuals who demonstrate a commitment to supporting women and gender issues and equity in the academy. It is designed to help participants identify, understand, and build their leadership roles in the academy.
The College of Education celebrates their achievement and their dedication to fostering equity, leadership, and academic excellence. We are proud to have these exceptional leaders represent FSU and inspire future academic leaders!
Fostering Literacy and Faculty Success
Dr. Catherine “Elise” Barrett has been appointed the Distinguished Professor of Literacy Education in the College of Education. In this role, she teaches one to two courses each semester. She actively works with middle-grade English language arts and social studies MAT candidates, focusing on their preparation for the edTPA Dr Barrett’s teaching load includes methods courses, advanced clinical experience, and instructional design and assessment courses. Another key aspect of Dr. Barrett’s responsibilities involves securing grants to support the Reading Clinic and pursuing research and publishing efforts related to literacy and the clinic’s initiatives.
During the fall semester, Dr Barrett launched two Faculty Writing Groups that met biweekly to foster mentorship and collaboration among faculty
These groups will resume in late January for the spring semester. They will provide a platform for faculty to share research ideas, discuss publication progress, and receive peer support. The writing groups aim to promote collegiality, mentorship, and faculty success by offering guidance on navigating institutional processes and forms.
In February, Dr Barrett, alongside Dr Christy Thomas and Dr Reeshemah Johnson, will present at the EERA 2025 Conference in Hilton Head, SC, discussing the positive effects of Reading and Digital Detox on social-emotional well-being. The College of Education celebrates Dr. Barrett’s appointment and her dedication to excellence.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
2024 READy Explorers' Summer Camp - Salute to Tiffany Quick
Ms. Tiffany Quick was pivotal as a Teacher and Research Assistant during the 2024 READy Explorers' Summer Camp. Her dedication and expertise were instrumental in helping students strengthen their reading and math abilities using the 10story approach, which integrates instruction in math and life skills such as resilience, teamwork, and problemsolving Miss Quick’s work was featured at the NCACTE conference in Raleigh on September 19, 2024. She presented h ' f d d r, highlighting the camp ' s transformative im vative strategies for advancing educational
Interfaith America Leadership Summit- Bridge-building for Health
Public Health students Jessica Booker and Mica Gonzalez attended the 2024 Interfaith America Leadership Summit in Chicago, IL, in August 2024. They participated in interfaith bridge-building training and activities. They learned about the critical role of religious literacy in achieving public health goals and networking with students and practitioners worldwide. Both Jessica and Mica were selected to serve as Bridgebuilder Ambassadors.
WE PREPARE SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS!
The Bronco Pass Program
Fayetteville State University (FSU) introduced Bronco Pass (Preparing Academically Successful Students), a comprehensive program supporting FSU students throughout their educational journeys This initiative enhances pathways to teaching by fostering early engagement with aspiring educators and preparing them for critical career milestones. Funded by Title III grants, Bronco Pass equips future educators with the skills and tools necessary for success in the classroom.
The program focuses on building participants' testtaking skills for the Core Academic Skills for Educators (CASE) test, a prerequisite for admission into FSU’s College of Education (COE) Teacher Education Program. It also familiarizes students with the Praxis II exams and the Pearson Foundations of Reading and General Curriculum Test Math CKT, which are essential for obtaining a North Carolina teaching license.
Since its inception, Bronco Pass has positively impacted over 100 teacher candidates. Notably, 45 participants successfully passed the CASE test, securing entry into the Teacher Education Program. Forty-nine students passed the Foundations of Reading assessment, 22 passed the Math Content Knowledge Test (CKT), and 12 passed the Praxis II exam. These accomplishments have significantly contributed to higher licensure rates among FSU teacher candidates.
Looking ahead, the Bronco Pass program aims to expand its offerings with new initiatives and enhanced support for FSU pre-education and declared education majors, further advancing its mission of preparing highly qualified educators.
Evidence 2 Practice
Eleven Fayetteville State University students (6 public health) participated in the Duke Center for AIDS Research’s Evidence 2 Practice (E2P) Program. The 3-day workshop increased students’ awareness about HIV infection in minority populations, eliminating stigma around HIV, and PrEp and Pep, the latest biomedical HIV preventive measures.
Students developed and presented their ideas for campus-based HIV prevention strategies. At the conclusion of the training, students were presented with certificates, a small stipend, and the offer of career development mentoring by the Infectious Disease doctors and researchers.
Public Health Students included, Kamari Pemberton, Emuni Green, Taijah Bennett, Darrius McGougan, Moarashad Gibson, Roger Lewis, and Kayla Haliburton
College of Education
2025 EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING CONFERENCE
Empowering Education Through AI Innovations in Teaching and Learning
APRIL 11-12, 2025
We invite educators, researchers, technologists, and policymakers to submit proposals for the
EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING CONFERENCE 2025
We seek proposals for presentations, workshops, panel discussions, and interactive sessions offering hands-on experiences with AI tools and technologies. Topics of interest include integrating AI into curriculum design, innovative teaching strategies, student engagement, ethical considerations in AI usage, and practical solutions to educational challenges.
Submissions that emphasize evidence-based practices, actionable strategies, and opportunities for participant interaction are especially encouraged.
To submit a proposal, please provide a brief outline that includes your session's objectives, key takeaways, and any interactive elements you plan to incorporate. We are looking for engaging and informative presentations that address the challenges faced by K-12 educators today.
The submission deadline is March 3, 2025
Congratulations Fall 2024 College of Education Graduates!
College of Education Building
The Future of Education
A rendering of the new College of Education building showcases a modern, state-of-the-art facility designed to foster innovation and collaboration in education. The building’s architecture features open, flexible learning spaces, cutting-edge technology, and sustainable design elements to support the evolving needs of students, faculty, and staff. This new facility represents a commitment to advancing educational excellence and preparing future educators in an environment that inspires creativity and professional growth.