Welcome to this edition of e-Focus on Student Learning, an electronic newsletter from the College of Education at Eastern Michigan University. This newsletter has been designed to showcase the myriad of activities underway within the College of Education. This newsletter highlights our students’ continued demonstration of best practices in content and pedagogical knowledge, the college’s plan for academic accountability, and many noteworthy faculty activities. Fundraising to support our students and faculty remains central to our work here in the College. We have so very much to celebrate in this edition. We hope that you will review this edition of e-Focus on Student Learning and share it with others who might have an interest in the College of Education.

As a special note: this fall, EMU launched its first comprehensive marketing/branding campaign with the tagline, Education First. As you browse through this newsletter you will notice how perfectly appropriate this tagline is for the College of Education. In fact, we have tailored the tagline by adding, “Exemplary” Education First!  As confirmation, the Michigan Department of Education identified EMU as the largest, public, exemplary program in the State.  Nationwide, we continue to enjoy accreditation by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and our 50 undergraduate and graduate programs are nationally recognized by sixteen specialized professional associations. We are truly “Exemplary” Education First!

Eastern Michigan University's Phi Delta Kappa International Chapter 0099 is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year. The chapter has been reorganized and updated and is looking forward to another 50 years of active support to public schools, promoting professionalism in education, and providing scholarships and other aides to undergraduates and graduate students in the field of education.

Dr. Lizbeth Stevens (Special Education) will be recognized at the ASHA (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association) awards ceremony as a Fellow. The status of Fellow is retained for life and is one of the highest honors that ASHA bestows. The awards ceremony will take place at the ASHA Annual Convention this November in Boston, MA.

Dr. Phil Smith (Special Education) was elected to a second term as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Washtenaw Association for Community Advocacy, a non-profit agency based in Ann Arbor that provides advocacy and support for people with disabilities and their families. During his tenure, Dr. Smith has developed a strategic planning process for the organization, as well as begun work on a development and marketing program.

Contracts, Grants and Sponsored Research (pdf)
General Service (pdf)
Intellectual Contributions (pdf)
Presentations (pdf)
Promotions & Tenure (pdf)

The College of Education has several NCATE trained Board of Examiners. These examiners consist of Shawn Quilter (Associate Dean), Michael Bretting (Associate Dean), Vernon C. Polite (Dean), and Toni Stokes-Jones (Associate Professor).
Learn More

As part of the Porter Chair Lecture Series, Dr. Jean Anyon will lecture on "The Underfunding of Urban Education: Problems & Radical Possibilities". The event is FREE and open to the public and will be held on Thursday, November 8, 2007 @ 7:30PM in the John W. Porter Building, Room 203 (auditorium) with a reception and book signing to follow.
Flyer (pdf)

Dr. Donna M. Gollnick, Sr. Vice President of NCATE will be our keynote speaker on Friday, January 25, 2007. Dr. Gollnick will share the current thinking, trends and challenges facing NCATE accredited programs. In attendance will be EMU faculty and representatives from the various professional education units in the State of Michigan.
Brief Bio (pdf)

Dr. Lidia Lee has agreed to serve as the Interim Department Head for the Department of Special Education for the remainder of the 2007-2008 academic year or until a permanent Department Head can be hired. Dr. Lee brings a wealth of academic and administrative experiences to this position.

Marissa Mourer, a graduate from the Social Foundations Program, writes to Dr. Polite to express her gratitude for the "dedicated and talented staff within the College of Education." Marissa's Letter (pdf)

College of Education giving has remained steady, with a significant portion of our cash gifts and gift commitments made by COE faculty and staff. Thanks to all who have already made their annual gift! Remember that you can have a BIG impact on your program or department by giving to your program or department fund!
Make a Donation

Phil Jenkins made another $200,000.00 contribution to support Leadership & Counseling Student Scholarships. The Jenkin's-Tracy Scholarship Fund provides tuition support towards the completion of a master's degree in education leadership or counseling for a cohort of 16 students.
About Phil Jenkins (pdf)

Dr. Jane McCarthy, recently presented at the College of Education Annual Fall Conference. She has just finished a two-year term as Interim dean of the College of Education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She was appointed to this position in July, 2005. She is also the Director of the Accelerated Schools Project at UNLV. In this position, she works with schools with high percentages of students in at-risk situations. She is currently working intensively with a school district on the Navajo Reservation. She also serves as the Past-President of the National Association of Teacher Educators. She has recently been appointed to the NCATE Board for Specially Area Subjects.
Dr. McCarthy's Webpage