Annual Edition
The University of Texas at Tyler College of Education and Psychology The CEP Pulse Volume VI, Issue II Summer 2019
There is a Time for Every Season A note from Dean Sherman It is with mixed emotions that I announce that I have decided to retire effective August 31, 2019. After 45 years as a public school teacher, administrator, university professor, chair and dean, I feel it is time to pass the baton to the next generation. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve The University of Texas at Tyler for the past 32 years.
As Cindy and I drove up I-45 from Houston and got off at Buffalo, I never imagined that I would spend most of my career at UT Tyler. What a blessing! During that time, I have had the distinct pleasure to work with many wonderful colleagues throughout the University and especially in the College of Education and Psychology. Without a doubt, this College has made a significant impact on the quality of life for East Texans through our educator and mental health preparation programs, research and scholarship initiatives and service to the region. I am proud of the impact we have had on our fellow citizens. One of the most rewarding aspects of my time at UT Tyler has been the incredible students I have had the pleasure to work with over the years. Seeing my students become the educational leaders throughout East Texas has been very gratifying. However, you know you’ve been around for a while when most, if not all, of the students you taught your first year at UT Tyler are retired. With that said, this past year has been quite eventful for the College. The final plans for the implementation of our PhD in Clinical Psychology program this fall, the anticipated approval of our Ed.D. in School Improvement proposal, expanding our research and scholarship endeavors by securing more extramural funding and the continued development of our CEP Centers to address the needs of East Texas. The College of Education and Psychology’s core purpose remains to prepare competent, caring and qualified professionals in the fields of education, psychology and counseling and to advance the knowledge base in our respective disciplines. As our unique value proposition states, Be an Architect of Human Potential. If you are an educator or a mental health professional you truly are architects creating a brighter future for students, East Texas and the world. As Emerson said, “The creation of a thousand forests is in a single acorn.”
God bless,
Ross Sherman, Ed.D. Dean, College of Education and Psychology
Introducing Dean Wesley Hickey After conducting a national search, Dr. Wesley Hickey has been selected to be the next Dean of the College of Education and Psychology effective September 1, 2019. Dr. Hickey has served in a variety of leadership roles during his tenure at UT Tyler including the Director of the School of Education and Chair of the Department of Educational Leadership. Prior to joining UT Tyler in 2004, Dr. Hickey was a coach, biology teacher, principal and superintendent in the Big Sandy Independent School District. Along with his work at UT Tyler, he chairs the non-governmental organization of Teachers for a Better Belize. He was also the executive director of Texas Council of Professors of Educational Administration. He has authored/co-authored over 50 articles on education and educational leadership, including a book titled Proficient to Distinguished: Mastering the T-TESS, and is the editor of a commonly used textbook in educational administration programs: Texas Public School Organization and Administration. Dr. Hickey has secured significant extramural funding during his tenure at UT Tyler including $600,000 from the Texas Education Agency Charter School - Foundation School Funding which resulted in establishing the UT Tyler University Academy and $300,000 from UT System for the K-12 School Turnaround Partnership initiative. Most recently, he has worked with a number of local school districts to secure TEA ‘Grow Your Own’ grants for teachers and administrators. Throughout East Texas Dr. Hickey is one of the most recognizable and respected UT Tyler faculty members. He has served as a Professional Service Provider for the Texas Education Agency and assisted numerous schools rated as Improvement Requirement. Dr. Hickey has an outstanding reputation with school districts locally, regionally and statewide. It is a pleasure to welcome Dr. Wesley Hickey as the sixth Dean of the College of Education and Psychology.
Editorial: Texas Our Texas Dean Ross Sherman There is an old adage that says I wasn’t born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could. It has been a pleasure to live and be a Texas educator for the past 40 years. As a former public school teacher, administrator and current higher education faculty member and administrator, I have seen Texas education from a variety of perspectives.
Texas education is one of the crown jewels of the Republic. Article 7 of the Texas Constitution establishes provisions for public schools, asylums and universities. Section 1 states, “A general diffusion of knowledge being essential to the preservation of the liberties and rights of the people, it shall be the duty of the Legislature of the State to establish and make suitable provision for the support and maintenance of an efficient system of public free schools.” That is not to say there are not issues that need to be addressed. Every legislative session many of the same issues are discussed including school finance, student accountability, educational choice and a myriad of social issues, etc. But I would like to focus on the positive aspects of Texas education. Texas education provides the intellectual manpower to fuel the economic engine—that is the State of Texas.
But to understand the future of Texas education, you need to understand the current and future context in which it will operate:
The Texas population grew by more than 400,000 between 2016-2017. That’s like adding a city the size of Arlington, the seventh largest city, every year.
The population of Texas is expected to double between 2010 (25.1 million) to 2050 (54.4 million).
Texas is the fourth youngest state in the nation and the under 18 population is expected to grow from 6.9 million in 2010 to 12.3 million in 2050 (79.6%).
There are 71% more students in Texas high schools today than just a quarter of a century ago.
In the past, two decades the number of high school graduates entering a 2-4 year public college or university has increased by 63%.
In 1973, 28% of the jobs in Texas required a post-secondary education in 2020 65% of jobs will require a post-secondary degree or certification.
If Texas is to remain a mighty state it will be due to our P-16 educational system. When we think of Texas heroes we rightly think of our men and women in uniform and our first responders, but I would suggest we should add educators to the list. My heroes are the first grade teacher who teaches a child to read or the middle school teacher who helps a young student deal with the developmental changes of adolescence or a high school teacher who inspires a student to pursue a certain profession. These heroes are not motivated by money or fame, they do it out of a deep sense of commitment to make a difference in a child’s life. These men and women who dedicate their lives to making a brighter future for all of our citizens. When someone asks me what I do for a living, I am proud to say that I am a Texas educator. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve with those educators for the past 40 years.
College of Education and Psychology Quick Facts 2018-2019 The College of Education and Psychology is nationally recognized and respected for its academic programs and opportunities. It is a center of academic excellence, scholarly inquiry, and public service. The College prepares leaders to meet the critical challenges of the 21st Century, to make significant contributions to local and global communities, and to work toward individual and cultural equity. College Units: Department of Psychology and Counseling School of Education University Academy College Centers: East Texas Center for School Based Research & Instruction Ingenuity Center K-16 Literacy Center Memory Assessment and Research Center (MARC) Degrees and Certifications: Four Bachelors Degrees Eight Masters Degrees Six Post Masters Certifications One Doctoral Degree Students 2019 (Spring)*: 598 Undergraduates 567 Masters 59 Post Graduate Degrees Awarded 2017-2018*: 210 Bachelors 241 Masters External Funding through Grants and Contracts 2019-2019: $2.9 Million *Note—UT Tyler Interactive Fact Book
Alumni & Friends, The start of each academic year brings with it a renewed excitement around campus as we look forward to all the possibilities the new year holds. It also affords us an opportunity to recommit to our core purpose in the College of Education and Psychology which is to prepare competent, caring, and qualified professionals in the fields of education, psychology and counseling, and to advance the knowledge base in our respective disciplines. In short, we strive to develop Architects of Human Potential. The financial support of our alumni and friends is key to helping us achieve our goals and make a difference in the lives of our students. Gifts, large and small, provide scholarship opportunities for students in need, allow for enhanced 21st century learning spaces, and fund faculty and department initiatives. In line with Pillar IV (Community Engagement) of UT Tyler’s strategic plan, current initiatives are aimed at addressing three areas of great need in East Texas: Increasing student achievement in K-12 schools Improving post-secondary educational attainment Implementing affordable and regional mental health services We strive to have our work make a difference in our community, and through your financial support, we can make strides in a positive direction towards achieving our goals. The modest increases in state support public higher education institutions receive are not enough to keep up with the growing needs of our students and programs. Many students face enormous financial barriers that impede their ability to complete post-secondary degrees, and we struggle internally with our ability to be fully invested in our initiatives due to a lack of overall financial support. Funds raised from external sources give our college a leg up and provides financial support to help us succeed. As we start another year full of endless opportunity, please consider showing your support for our work by making a gift to the College at https://www.uttyler.edu/advancement/giving/give.php. Through your generosity you yourself become an Architect of Human Potential and make a lasting impression on our program. If you are able to make a larger impact through a major or endowed gift, please do not hesitate to contact me. Have a wonderful year,
Matt Brinton Director of Development mbrinton@uttyler.edu
CEP Generous Benefactors The College of Education and Psychology would like to recognize the generous benefactors and donors who contributed to the College this past year. Aimee Dennis
Kouider Mokhtari
Belinda Fischer
Lauren Johnson
Colleen Swain
Lisa Dempsey
CTCU Foundation
Lynn Reynolds
Cynthia Sherman
Mary Miley
David Cheairs
Matt Brinton
David Reimers
Melissa Clayton
East Texas Communities Foundation, Inc.
Mentoring Minds, LP
Jason Mixon
Priscilla Zeppa
Jennifer Jones
Rick Anderson
Jessica Rueter
Ross Sherman
Kathryn Gohmert
Sydni Blundell
Kathy Parker
Wesley Hickey
Kimberly Young
Yanira Oliveras-Ortiz
Comings and Goings: The high quality and excellent reputation of the College of Education and Psychology is built on the shoulders of those who came before us. This year, the College of Education and Psychology marked a number of significant retirements. At the conclusion of the summer semester, Dr. Ross Sherman, Dean of the College retired after 32 years. Dr. Sherman served as Dean for the past seven years, prior to his current position he was the Department Chair for Special Services and Educational Leadership for over 20 years. Also, retiring this year was Dr. Vance Vaughn, Professor in Educational Leadership. Dr. Vaughn joined the UT Tyler faculty in 2006 after an illustrious public school career. Joining the faculty this past year was Dr. Christopher Thomas, Assistant Professor of Educational Psychology, who received his Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin. Also, Dr. Lauren Kirby, Assistant Professor in Psychology, who received her Ph.D. from Auburn University. And, Dr. Woonhee Sung, Assistant Professor in Educational Technology, who received her Ph.D. from University of Texas at Austin. We look forward to the significant professional achievements they will contribute to the College.
The University of Texas at Tyler College of Education and Psychology 3900 University Blvd Tyler, TX 75799
Editor-in-Chief: Sydni Blundell
Check us out online at: www.uttyler.edu/educpsych/