College of Education Back to School Fall Meeting 2010

1. College of Education Back to SchoolFall Meeting2010 William R. Speer Interim Dean

2. Dr. Helen Harper 1957-2010 Professor, Curriculum and Instruction

3. There has been a foundation established by the family to support College of Education Department of Curriculum & Instruction Doctoral Candidates in completion of their dissertations. Checks may be issued to the UNLV Foundation: 
 UNLV Foundation 
 4505 Maryland Parkway 
 Box 451006 
 Las Vegas, NV 89154-1006 Donors should note the gift is in memory of Helen Gifts can also be made on-line at http://foundation.unlv.edu/give.htmlSelect the link for the College of Education. 
Under "Designation," select "Curriculum & Instruction (C&I)" from the drop down menu. Helen's name should be entered at the bottom of the screen under "Tribute Information."

4. SPECIAL acknowledgement and thank you for continued support of the COE and our faculty/staff Silver State Schools Credit Union Colleen Maurer

5. WELCOME BACK!

6. Let’s recall some of the good things that happened last year. There were MANY… COE successes on the NWCCU accreditation. COE ranking on US News & World Report for 2010 COE Promotions – 7 to Full Prof; 2 to Associate COE Faculty awarded numerous teaching, research and service recognitions COE Professional Development Schools partnership wins national recognition COE continued and expanded our extensive cross-departmental collaborations in the community

7. Summer Changes to the COE Physical Plant • Learning Garden (Award-winning) • All COE classrooms are now “tech-ready” • Establishment of Honor Walls on the third floor Teaching, research and service awards, university honors, all COE emeriti faculty, COE scholarships and recipients, and COE journals • New Faculty/Staff Lounge in CEB 114 • Painted Stairwells instead of bare concrete • New waste containers instead of trash cans More than lipstick on a pig – these are intended to convey and promote a sense of pride in our workplace.

8. Changes in COE Leadership

9. Special Merit & Recognition • Dr. Sterling Saddler 2007-2010 Associate Dean for Administrative Affairs

10. Appointments • Dr. Nancy Sileo Director of Teacher Education • Dr. Dale Pehrsson Associate Dean

11. Elected • Dr. Cyndi Giorgis Faculty Chair

12. Elected • Dr. Jesse Brinson Interim Chair of Counselor Education

13. Recognition of Continuing Chairs • Dr. Monica Lounsbery Sports Education Leadership • Dr. Teresa Jordan Educational Leadership • Dr. Paul Jones Educational Psychology • Dr. Tom Pierce Special Education and Early Childhood • Dr. Sandra Odell Curriculum and Instruction

14. New 2010 Emerita/Emeritus Appointments • Dr. Marilyn Sue Ford Associate Professor Emerita, Curriculum & Instruction • Dr. Virginia Usnick Associate Professor Emerita, Curriculum & Instruction

15. New Faculty Hire for 2010-11 • Dr. Algerian Hart, Sports Education Leadership

16. New Classified Hires for 2010 • Debbie Porrello Curriculum and Instruction • Jovita Bayuga Curriculum and Instruction

17. Appointments • Alison Chandler Interim Director of the COE Advising Center • Dr. Katrina Harris Internship Coordinator for Counselor Education

18. Special Recognitions • Conrad Oh-Young COE Technology Administrative Faculty • Young Bok Kim COE Technology and OIT Administrative Faculty

19. Special Recognitions • Paula McMillen Education Librarian • Amy Johnson Curriculum Materials Library

20. HOW I SPENT MY SUMMER An essay assignment of 5000 words or less.

22. This year the COE has the responsibility of responding in a most positive and direct manner to the four “Rs” brought about by the Nevada budget crisis. Reduction Restructure Reallocate Reinvent

23. This year we have the opportunity to reflect and act to answer the question:“If we didn’t already have the COE structure that we have today, is it the structure that we would create for ourselves?”

24. A Triage Approach Assist eliminated departments in developing an exit strategy for Closure on June 30,2011. Identify programs in all departments that should be preserved and/or modified as well as those programs for which data do not support continuation. Explore ways in which faculty can be retained in positions that support and maintain college/university mission and individual research agendas.

25. This summer, the Chairs and Dean’s Office in the UNLV College of Education began exploration of the following questions: How might the college be “reinvented” for the purposes of focus, efficiency, assessment and accreditation?Is there a structure that would facilitate the building of more powerful, innovative, and collaborative programs?Does there exist a structure that would lead to better use and interaction of faculty and staff resources? The charge was to initiate and develop ways to facilitate the discussion of ideas related to college refocus/reinvention.

26. An emerging theme became:What organizational structures would(1) be most responsive to data collected from faculty/staff and other sources, (2) have the most potential for long-term positive impact and, (3) cause the least physical and emotional unrest?

27. Several “points of general agreement” were identified to be shared with the faculty and staff at this “Back-to-School” meeting. These included:1. We agree that current programs in eliminated and non-eliminated departments should be preserved and protected – as long as the programs meet the tests of mission and efficiency. 2. We agree that our current faculty and staff should be preserved and protected – as long as they meet the tests of mission and efficiency.3. We agree that it’s truly been enlightening to share, interact, and become more knowledgeable of others’ existing programs and ideas. 4. We agree that departments in the COE have a different symbiotic relationship/synergy than departments in other colleges and that this should be taken full advantage of in our organizational structure.5. We agree that there is potential for growth through collaboration among programs and the addition of innovative programs operating within the structure of the four remaining departments, or some variation through a folding into other department configurations. 6. We agree that some existing programs might be moved or combined or eliminated, but we need to adhere to specific accreditation requirements that affect all current programs.

28. 7. We recognize that faculty may teach courses in more than one program or department, but we are unclear about who might supervise and evaluate in a restructured model and what new metrics would need to be applied. 8. We agree that it’s important to preserve resources (protect faculty lines) within the college and recognize that through collaboration and innovative programming we may be able to do so. 9. We agree that filling any/all faculty positions with highly-qualified, mission centered persons is a priority in the college. 10. We agree that an ongoing focus on college-wide and program specific assessment is desirable. 11. We agree that we need further discussion about the size of programs and departments, as well as about any distinction between program coordinators and department chairs. 12. We agree that we need to study enrollment trend data for all programs. 13. We agree that we need to examine numbers of faculty assigned to all programs. 14. We agree that we need more time to discuss and study reinventing the college.

29. In fulfilling the charge as perceived, we seek to accomplish the following tasks: • Develop and administer an anonymous online survey (August); analyzing results and preparing for follow-up discussion• Use the Dean’s Advisory Council as an ad hoc “Committee on Reinvention” to form several “Focus Groups” from faculty and staff (early September)• Facilitate discussion among focus groups (September/October) using open ended questions; compiling results and sharing conclusions with the faculty and staff (early October)• Share the college plan with the Provost (mid-October)

30. Guiding Principles for the Ad Hoc Committee on Reinvention – (Dean’s Advisory Council)To provide for an organizational structure that –• Facilitates implementation of a College reinvention plan that is consistent with the university mission and vision; and other relevant University documents• Involves the entire College faculty and staff• Prepares students for the 21st century as defined by the COE Mission/Vision/Goals statements• Ensures students gain marketable, interpersonal and transportable skills (e.g., teamwork, oral and written communication, adaptability, problem solving, responsibility, informational literacy) that prepare them for participation as engaged educational leaders and citizens in a diverse and global society.• Avoids maintaining the status quo, unless the status quo is deemed through vetting to be the ideal model for efficiency and impact.

31. • Provides a learning environment that ensures relevant, integrative, active learning experiences focused on solving educational challenges and related societal issues• Adapts and responds quickly and decisively to external changes and pressures• Provides for departments to self select processes, strategies and practices that are aligned with general principles, guidelines and objectives• Adapts and supports sustainable outcomes (i.e., so that change in the COE keeps pace with change in the university and beyond)• Provides for external validation (i.e., accreditation) of our excellence.• Enhances our strengths and distinctions while creating opportunities for new areas of distinction• Values and supports highly effective ongoing professional development • Results in graduates as preferred candidates for placement by employers• Builds upon mutually beneficial partnerships that share educational, economic, environmental and social goals as evidenced by sustainable outcomes for all partners• Enables the COE and the University to achieve a higher level of status as an urban research university

32. The College of Education remains poised to be a national leader in preparing professional educators if it carefully crafts and promotes a stronger public image of our activities and expertise. • The future of the College of Education will be preconditioned by the continued challenge of unity around common goals, fiscal realities, and a well-defined collection of realistic, attainable and focused initiatives.

33. The UNLV College of Education “Givens” The COE serves a mission that is important to this university and has a determined attitude to fulfill that mission. We are resilient, we are responsive, and we will be creative in our approach to issues and our action leading to results. We have unlimited potential and superior talents as defining characteristics of our faculty, staff, and students. We will be recognized for our excellence and for our efficient and effective performance of our mission.

34. INTRODUCTIONS

35. President Neal Smatresk

36. Provost Michael Bowers

37. The Future of the College:An Open Conversation William R. Speer Interim Dean UNLV College of Education