September 27th, 2023
Midweek Round-Up
The Weekly Faculty and Staff Newsletter
College of Education and Human Services at Murray State University
MESSAGES & DEPARTMENT UPDATES
What's new in COEHS?
Message from the Dean
Hello colleagues and friends,
The CAEP/EPSB reaccreditation visit is almost upon us now (12 working days). I greatly appreciate the efforts of Dr. Jessica Evans in taking the lead and for the members of the CAEP executive committee for their assistance in guiding our efforts. Finally, I want to thank our faculty, staff, and students who agreed to join the interview sessions with the CAEP and EPSB team members. Highlights I want to remind you of are:
● It will be an entirely virtual visit. Traditionally, CAEP members traveled to their sites for face-to-face meetings. Now, we will meet with the CAEP and EPSB members on Zoom. This may limit showing off the ambience of our learning environment and the energy of the program that we already know exists. Yet, it is more convenient and appears to be the trend with accreditation agencies.
● There are a total of nine review team members: four from CAEP, three from EPSB, and an additional two CAEP members who are staff or designated as an “observer.” They live in various locations around the nation---Arizona, Florida, Virginia, Michigan, North Dakota, and Kentucky.
● There are 23 different interview sessions scheduled, each is approximately eight to ten interview participants. Those EPP (Educator Preparation Program) members participating will include our faculty, the past and present students at both the initial and advanced levels, as well as faculty, staff, and students from other colleges/schools on campus with EPP programs (there are four academic colleges and schools). Superintendents and school principals will participate. We will interview university administrators and professors. Representatives from four of our satellite campuses will have a session, as well.
● Unfortunately, not everyone in our EPP program will have the opportunity to participate in an interview session because the time reserved for sessions is limited. The combined team begins their work with us on Sunday, October 15, holds interview sessions all-day on Sunday and Monday, and concludes with an exit report on Tuesday morning.
● If you are asked to participate, please do so, and let me or the person requesting your participation know. We are ensuring all interview sessions have an appropriate number of participants and carry a good representation of different disciplines, experiences, etc.
● The final report during the exit interview will give us a sense as to how we did. Once the CAEP/EPSB team finishes on Tuesday, they will write their final report, and we will have 30-days to respond. Once our rejoinder is received by CAEP, our materials and those of the interview team will be reviewed by an accreditation committee and voted upon at the spring meeting of the accreditation council. The accreditation committee and council traditionally meet in March. By late March or early April, we will know the final result.
● The reaccreditation of our program should be for seven years.
● This is a “high-stakes” visit. We (MSU) are not allowed to operate our EPP programs without state and national accreditation. Each discipline area is evaluated along with the overall educator training program. Did you know that we have 47 programs/tracks at Murray State? Fortunately, and thanks to the efforts of many, all 47 programs have been reviewed and approved. This October review focuses on the overall program, including curriculum, field experiences, relationships with our school partners, qualifications of faculty, and preparedness of students to succeed in the education field.
We will have a number of orientation sessions and orientation materials to share before October 15. We also have Homecoming, Family Weekend, and Fall Break before the accreditation team "arrives." You are an important asset to our program. Together, we can make this work. Thank you for all you do on behalf of our educator preparation students.
- David Whaley, Dean
Upcoming Events
CDI Event
The National Student Speech Language Hearing Association is hosting the annual Campus Plunge to benefit Special Olympics on November 2nd.
If you or your student organization is interested in participating or donating, please reach out to Kelly Vaughan (kvaughan1@murraystate.edu). Thank you!
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
Racers Empower + Pet Therapy 2023 had a great turnout at Al Hall on Monday as part of Self-Care September. We're grateful for the Humane Society - Calloway County and their sweet animals who shared their emotional support with our students. Thank you to Peggy Whaley, Jennifer Smith, Jill Smith, and Jordan Garner for hosting the event!
Tina Grant and Holly Bloodworth enjoyed hanging out with MSU Reading and Writing graduate alumni at the Kentucky Reading Association this past weekend along with leading reading researcher, Timothy Rasinski!
Recruiting/ Career Fair today at Calloway County High School.
It was a pleasure sitting in on Dr. Chanel Schwenck's EDU 280 class last Thursday. The course, Educating for Human Development, is a combination of Education, Psychology, and Human Development. They discussed the psychology of children in second grade, learning to develop empathy as future teachers and leaders. It is an engaging and mindful class with students who have many interesting things to contribute to the discussion.
Tina Grant with two AUA members: Carly Ogilvie & Spencer Feibelmann presented on Saturday at the state Kentucky Reading Association Conference. Their presentation was titled,
"Inclusivity: Allowing students to see themselves through mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors."
Dr. Rogers & Dr. Vigil hosted HPE Open House, discussing the various new events within the department & how to get involved. They shared how being involved in events helps boost resumes for scholarships, graduate schools, & careers. Tressa Ross shared the student scholarship opportunities available on a teaching track & in the HPE track. Matt Kelly from Athletics discussed the student-worker opportunities within his Department to build resumes and build experience in an area that interests them: fan experience, hydration, ticket operations, & strength/ conditioning.
SHOUT-OUTS
ERIC UMSTEAD
Dr. Umstead received a shout-out from Dr. Mahoney
"Thank you for all the hard work on the SED curriculum guides. The extensive research put into the courses and alignment is much appreciated!! "
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! "
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! "
MISSY TISH
Missy received a shout-out from Tamela:
"I appreciate all the support Missy has provided me over the summer. She is truly the epitome of a team player. Thank you for all have done for me and CoEHS. This fall semester would not have started out successfully without you!"
TAMELA DARNELL
Tamela received shout-out from Dr. Jessica Pryor:
"Thanks for helping ECE make SPARK! a success with your special delivery."
AMY SEAVERS
Amy received shout-out from Dr. Jessica Pryor:
"Amy assisted ECE in making SPARK! a success thanks to her diligence and dedication. "
Claire received a shout-out from Tamela:
"Claire has revived our college social media accounts and I am so grateful for her efforts and social media expertise! Keep doing great work! "
AMY SEAVERS
Amy received a shout-out from Katherine Farmer:
"Thank you for assistance managing the Curriculum Materials Center when I had to be out."
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
September 16th - Racer Day
September 19th - Scholarship Banquet
September 19th - Regional Career Fair at CFSB
September 20th - SPARK Career Fair at CFSB
September 22nd - Student Teaching Seminar
September 25th - Racers Empower Pet Therapy
September 30th - COEHS honored as “College of the Game” at Murray State University home football game
September 30th-August 1st - Murray State University Family Weekend
October 4th - First half of the semester ends
October 5th-6th - Fall Break - no classes; University closed
October 9th - Second half of the semester begins
October 12th-15th - Murray State University Homecoming
October 14th - COEHS Homecoming Breakfast at Murray Middle School
October 27th - Fall Teacher Career Fair
October 27th - CoEHS Movie Night (6:00-8:00 pm)
November 2nd - Campus Plunge
November 14th - COEHS Blood Drive (10 am-4 pm) - Alexander Hall Atrium
November 15th - COEHS Blood Drive (8:30 -11:30 am) - Alexander Hall Atrium
November 18th - Racer Day
November 22nd-24th - Thanksgiving - no classes; University closed
November 27th - Racers Empower Pet Therapy
December 1st - Last day of classes
December 7th - 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. Jessica Evans (Staff) and Holly Bloodworth (Faculty)!
We applaud each of you for your outstanding contributions and appreciate all that you do for COEHS.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"You need to learn how to select your thoughts just the same way you select your clothes every day. This is a power you can cultivate. If you want to control things in your life so bad, work on the mind. That’s the only thing you should be trying to control."
-Elizabeth Gilbert
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!
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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.
