MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN

Dear friends,

I have contributed 19 years of service to the UofL College of Education and Human Development — as interim dean, as an assistant chair and as an associate dean. I have loved each of these leadership roles and strived every day to serve with passion, optimism and commitment.

And now, my role here is changing once again.

I have accepted an appointment as Dean of the College of Education at Georgia Southern University beginning October 1. While this was not an easy decision, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute my experience, scholarship and energy at a new institution.

I am so proud of all we have accomplished together during my tenure here at the college, including:

• Increasing student enrollment and retention across all departments, including major gains with first-generation and underrepresented minority students.

• Continuing to move up in the U.S. News & World Report rankings, including landing at #67 on the list of Best Graduate Education Programs, up 26 spots in just two years.

• Increasing the successful yield of grant and contract submissions by 230% since 2019, which has allowed the college to recruit and retain more faculty.

• Building the most diverse administrative team in the college’s history.

• Achieving reaccreditation through the joint Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation/Educational Professional Standards Board, and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs with zero concerns or issues identified – a rarity among competing institutions.

• Expanding the resources and opportunities for students to participate in experiential learning such as internships, graduate assistantships, field work and study abroad trips.

• Establishing the Office of Graduate Student Success to provide centralized, focused resources for prospective and current students.

• Creating the Louisville Teacher Residency, the first teacher residency program in Kentucky, in partnership with Jefferson County Public Schools and the initial dual credit programs in Kentucky as part of the Teaching and Learning Pathway to build a pipeline of future teachers within school districts.

• Expanding the Multicultural Teacher Recruitment Program to address the shortage of teachers of color in the region and support their academic and professional success.

• Creating the Climate, Equity & Opportunity in the Workplace certificate program to support leaders in implementing effective diversity, equity and inclusion programming in the workplace.

• Creating the Champions for Diversity program to acknowledge and commend members of the College who consistently model a strong value of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• Securing a contract with the Kentucky Department of Education to create the Kentucky Reading Research Center (KRRC), a new entity that will support educators with data and evidence-based practices to improve statewide reading proficiency outcomes for students. Fortunately, I will be able to continue working with the KRRC in my role as Dean at Georgia Southern University and continue to be connected to faculty and staff here at the college.

A true highlight of my tenure as interim dean was connecting and building relationships with our alumni, community partners and donors. Your generous support of the college helped make our success possible. I know you will continue to support the amazing students, faculty and staff.

I look forward to my continued role with the college and welcoming the new Dean this fall.

With fondness and appreciation,

Amy Lingo, Interim Dean College of Education & Human Development

SPRING COMMENCEMENT STATISTICS

• 351 undergraduate majors and/or minors and certificates

• 297 graduate masters, doctorates and certificates

• 141 awards and honors recognized

Congratulations, graduates!