October 17, 2024
From the Desk of the Associate & Assistant Deans
From the Desk of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Graduate Education
Graduate Enrollment – As with all universities, maintaining a consistent graduate student enrollment is critical to the success of the College of Education. This past year the COE engaged in a number of program-specific and college-wide recruitment events. Faculty members from across the college attended those events and engaged with numerous potential students interested in pursuing advanced degrees. Early results from the current academic year suggest those recruiting events were successful, as the COE’s enrollment numbers are slightly up this year compared to the same time last year. If you are interested in pursuing a graduate degree from the COE, please reach out to the Associate Dean of the COE (glassj@ecu.edu) and we will make sure you are connected with your program of interest.
Global Teaching Partners – Global Teaching Partners (GTP) is an organization that brings international teachers into NC to teach in our public schools. These teachers are typically working in NC for approximately 5 years. GTP reached out to the COE to establish a partnership that would allow their teachers to pursue a graduate degree while they are teaching in the state, as a degree from a U.S. institution is often valued in their home countries. GTP was intentional about connecting with the COE because of our strong reputation for distance learning and established history of producing quality teachers. This program provides a pathway for these qualified international teachers to earn a degree, and the College of Education is honored to be engaged in this partnership.
Sincerely,
Dr. Scott Glass
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Graduate Education
From the Desk of the Associate Dean for Research
I am pleased to share some exciting accomplishments regarding the College of Education’s (COE) research activities. As we look back at the 2023-2024 academic year, the efforts of our faculty, staff, and research teams are clearly yielding outstanding results. Below are some key highlights.
Research Expenditures Are Up – By the end of FY 2024, our research expenditures had reached $5,379,539.00 according to the IPAR Productivity Metrics. This represents a 53.1% increase over last year’s total of $3,514,514.00, and a 34.4% increase compared to our previous three-year average. This trajectory reflected the hard work and dedication of our faculty in pursuing and securing grants, which positioned us to surpass our highest expenditure metrics since FY20.
Innovation at the Forefront – This year has also marked significant milestones in innovation. COE innovation included an array of groundbreaking initiatives, including:
- 1 U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Filing
- 3 Innovation Disclosures
- 1 Product launched on the market with 38 downloads
- A commercialization assessment for SBIR/STTR potential
- A business model innovation assessment
Supporting Research-Centered Activities – Through the Office of Research and Innovation (ORI), we have organized multiple research-centered activities to engage and support faculty, such as:
- Sip and Learns offer opportunities for faculty to share their work with their colleagues
- Grant Writing Workshops assisted faculty in preparation of competitive grant proposals
- New Faculty Research Meetings helped integrate and support our recent hires
- Listening Sessions gathered feedback to help improve our services
Looking Ahead – While we have made excellent strides in our research endeavors, there is always room for improvement. Expanding our research infrastructure will be essential in sustaining and increasing our future research expenditures. I am confident that with continued collaboration and support, we will not only maintain but also accelerate this momentum in the coming years. Thank you for your unwavering dedication to the success of our research mission. Together, we are shaping the future of education research.
Sincerely,
Dr. Dan Dickerson
Associate Dean for Research
From the Desk of the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Affairs and Educator Preparation
The Office of Educator Preparation continually strives to support the ECU College of Education’s transformative efforts across North Carolina. This year, our initiatives have expanded to new heights, reinforcing our commitment to building strong educator pipelines, forging impactful partnerships, and supporting future educators on their professional journeys.
A core focus has been cultivating “Grow Your Own” pipelines with partner districts and community colleges, creating opportunities and removing barriers for aspiring educators in our region. We are proud to serve as the educator preparation program for initiatives such as Project LEAP, in collaboration with Lenoir Community College and the counties of Lenoir, Greene, and Jones, as well as the Franklin County Early College High School T.E.A.C.H. program.
A vital piece of this work is Partnership Teach, a highly successful pipeline that exemplifies our collaborative commitment to accessible education. Now in its 22nd year, this program has enabled community members, paraprofessionals, teacher assistants, and other district employees to earn their teaching degrees while maintaining their current roles. By working closely with districts across the state, Partnership Teach has created a pathway to certification that benefits both aspiring teachers and their communities.
Additionally, the growth and success of our Educator Residency Program has been remarkable as this program enters its fifth year. Offering an alternative pathway, the residency program is quickly becoming a cornerstone of our educator preparation efforts, helping to prepare high-quality teachers who can meet the challenges of today’s classrooms across the state.
Our initiatives, whether through building educator pipelines, enhancing residency opportunities, or recruiting future teachers through strategic programs, are all aimed at one goal: to ensure that North Carolina’s classrooms are led by passionate, well-prepared educators dedicated to student success. I look forward to the opportunities and progress this year will bring as we grow and innovate together.
Go Pirates!
Dr. Holly Heath Fales
Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Affairs and Educator Preparation
From the Desk of the Assistant Dean for Faculty and Staff Development, Wellness, and Engagement
As we continue fostering a culture of care, belonging, and opportunity within our community, I am excited to share some of the initiatives and events that from academic year 2023-2024.
Here are a few highlights:
- Wellness Wednesday: Faculty and staff came together for a meaningful Wellness Wednesday event. We connected, shared resources for well-being, participated in mindfulness and self-care activities, and reflected on affirmations to support our mental health. This event was a true collaboration, supported by the Counselor Education program and the McClammy Counseling & Research Lab, highlighting the strength of partnerships within our college. We also hosted a special Wellness Wednesday edition for our ECU Community School, ensuring that our amazing community school staff also receive the support they need for well-being and success.
- Staff Appreciation Breakfast: To celebrate the hard work and dedication of our amazing staff, we hosted a Staff Appreciation Breakfast. It was a wonderful morning of connection, gratitude, and delicious food! We look forward to making this an annual event.
- COE Faculty and Staff Book Study: We hosted a book study for faculty and staff to come together, exchange ideas, and grow both professionally and personally through literature. We engaged in insightful discussions and formed a greater sense of community.
- iCare Reciprocal Exchange Project: I am also proud to share that our office recently participated in the International Collaborative Action For Rural Education (iCARE) Project in Nigeria, sponsored by the Mandela Washington Reciprocal Exchange Fellowship. Through this initiative, we focused on mental health awareness and education, collaborating across borders to share knowledge and build mental health literacy globally.
It’s incredibly uplifting to see how these initiatives are building community and enriching our collective experience. I look forward to continuing these efforts as we create spaces for development, wellness, and engagement.
Sincerely
Dr. Janeé Avent Harris
Assistant Dean for Faculty and Staff Development, Wellness, and Engagement
- Categories:
- InspirED Fall 2024
- InspirED Magazine