November 29th, 2023
Midweek Round-Up
The Weekly Faculty and Staff Newsletter
College of Education and Human Services at Murray State University
MESSAGES & DEPARTMENT UPDATES
Dear Faculty and Staff,
As we find ourselves in the final week of the regular academic fall semester, and with finals week being
next week, I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you for
your unwavering dedication and Herculean efforts throughout these past months. Your commitment to
our students has been nothing short of extraordinary, and it is with immense pride that I reflect on the
collective achievements we have accomplished together.
I am pleased to announce that the recent CAEP review results reflect the outstanding work and
commitment to excellence that defines our College. Your tireless efforts have not only shepherded our
students through a challenging semester but have also contributed to the overall success and
accreditation of our programs. This accomplishment is a testament to your passion, expertise, and
collaborative spirit.
As we approach the culmination of the semester, I would like to remind you that commencement is
scheduled for Saturday, December 9. This is a momentous occasion that celebrates the achievements of
our students and highlights the impact of your dedication on their academic journey. Your presence and
support at the commencement ceremony would be greatly appreciated.
Furthermore, I am pleased to share news about the two internal searches for key positions within our
College. We are currently seeking candidates for the positions of Assistant Dean for Supervision,
Assessment, and Accreditation, as well as for the Director of Assessment and Accreditation. Detailed
information about these opportunities can be found on myGate under the employee tab. I encourage
you to consider applying if you are interested or to spread the word about these opportunities to
qualified individuals within our campus community.
The Director of Assessment search closes on Friday, December 1st. The Assistant Dean search closes on Monday, December 4. Your participation in sharing this information across the campus will be crucial in identifying the best candidates for these important roles. Your support and involvement are integral to the continued success and growth of our College, and I appreciate your assistance in making these searches as inclusive as possible.
Once again, thank you for your hard work, dedication, and positive impact on our students. I am proud
to be a part of such an exceptional team, and I look forward to celebrating our collective successes at
the upcoming commencement.
Kind regards,
David Whaley
Voting is officially OPEN for our 2nd Annual Holiday Door Decorating Contest! Cast your vote and help decide which door deserves the prestigious title of Golden Door Grand Champion!
To vote:
Scroll through the festive door photos on our Facebook page.
Find the door that steals your holiday-loving heart.
Show your support by giving it a LIKE!
Voting is open NOW and will continue until December 1st. Don't miss your chance to play a part in this festive competition. Every LIKE counts, so spread the word and let the holiday spirit guide your vote!
Many thanks to Kentucky Academy of Technology Education for bringing this competition each year to our college!
Upcoming Events
Photos of the Week
Dr. Schwenck's EDU 180 class spent Tuesday, 11/14 in Christian County observing at a variety of schools for their diversity trip. Here is a picture of the principal and assistant principal of Indian Hills Elementary talking to Dr. Schwenck's class about their school. It was such an interesting and informative day for everyone!
The students in REA 405 used http://flippity.net/ to stay engaged and stay on top of their studies.
Dr. Chhanda Islam used http://flippity.net/ to ensure that all students had the chance to contribute to class discussions equally. For REA 405, Flippty was used for assigning roles in a group literacy project in the classroom. Following the study of a nonfiction text, students created flashcards and displayed their work. By using Fippty's name picker, students were able to minimize their anxiety when presenting their projects.
Flippy, according to students, not only allowed them to demonstrate their learning but also made learning exciting and fun.
Student Worker/ Graduate Assistant Holiday Lunch
On Friday, November 17th, Dr. Rogers’ HPE 450 "Teaching Strategies in Health Education" class held a SpongeBob themed health and wellness fair at Calloway County Middle School in partnership with Chelsea Futrell, the school’s Health and PE teacher. Over 600 students participated in activities and games focused on fitness, nutrition, good hygiene, making good choices, and fostering healthy relationships. A semester’s worth of work went into planning the event, which, by all accounts, was a great success!
SHOUT-OUTS
CINDY THRESHER
Cindy Thresher received a Shout-Out from Dr. Stephanie Ford:
"Cindy has been helping with student placements for EDU 180 and has helped us so much! Her hard work is very much appreciated!"
DR. STEPHANIE FORD
Dr. Stephanie Ford received a Shout-Out from Donna Crouch:
"Dr. Stephanie Ford has been such a blessing! She provided much needed help in covering classes for me when I was out on medical leave. She has gone above and beyond to help out! Thank you! "
DR. KEMALY PARR
Kemaly received a Shout-Out from Dr. Chanel Schwenck:
"It would take more room than I have here to list all of the ways in which Kemaly is a shining light in COEHS. She's been checking in on me ever since I started at MSU even though it's not in her job description. She's a sweet soul with a friendly smile and our college is better because she's a part of it."
REBECCA SIMONS
Rebecca received a shout-out from Terri Grief:
"Rebecca was SOOO patient with me as I navigated the digital flip book. THANKS for making my product awesome! "
DR. KEMALY PARR
Kemaly received a Shout-Out from Donna Crouch:
"Dr. Parr has been such a blessing! She provided much needed help in covering classes for me when I was out on medical leave. She has gone above and beyond to help out! Thank you! "
SELISE RIDOLFI
Selise received a shout-out from Dr. Mahoney:
"Your expertise on the SED curriculum guides is greatly appreciated. Thank you for all your thorough research and input for the courses and alignment! "
To send your own shout-out, click on the button below to fill out the form. It's a great way to show colleagues how awesome they are!
It will appear in the Midweek Round-Up as well as on the Faculty and Staff Shout-Out Board by the Dean's Office! Be sure to check it out when you're walking by!
COEHS CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS
Fall Semester - 2023
December 1st - Last day of classes
December 5th - COEHS Faculty and Staff Holiday Celebration Luncheon
December 8th - Student Teaching Seminar; Honors Luncheon for Graduating Student Teachers; Educational Studies, Leadership, and Counseling Hooding Ceremony
December 9th - Commencement
CELEBRITIES OF THE WEEK
Congratulations to the COEHS celebrities of the week:
Dr. Alesa Walker (Staff) and Dr. Brian Bourke (Faculty)!
We applaud each of you for your outstanding contributions and appreciate all that you do for COEHS.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough."
CONNECT WITH US ONLINE
Want to add something to the next Midweek Round-Up?
Click the button below to let Claire Layne in the Dean's Office know!
Remember to be as detailed as possible! Contact Claire with any questions.
The mission of the College of Education and Human Services is to prepare future leaders, advocates, and practitioners through authentic, engaging, and student-centered academic programs for successful careers that positively impact communities.
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