College of Education Creed

What we believe: The most important element in fostering meaningful learning is an effective educator. We define that person as a unique amalgam of at least three elements: strong dynamic understanding of content, significant pedagogical skills, and dispositions that foster growth and learning in others.

Our mission is: “To teach, to learn, to help others teach and learn” and we mean it. We expect our colleagues to be absolutely committed to individualized teaching and learning. We are “a school of opportunity,” we emphasize giving each individual student opportunities to move from where he or she is to where he or she needs and wants to be. It takes more than a university to prepare an educator.

Our plan is to build a “seamless model” for recruiting, educating, retaining, and renewing Kentucky’s educators and create a site for developing the next generation of educator preparation programs founded upon collaboration among all education stakeholders. We expect all of our colleagues to be active scholars. This means staying current in professional fields via participation in state, regional and national professional organizations and being actively involved in the creation of new knowledge that strengthens teaching and enhances our professions.

Our operational philosophy is based on cooperation, trust, and interdependence among faculty, staff, administrators, and students. We are building a vibrant learning community whose members respect, depend upon, and cooperate with one another. This system allows us to make decisions effectively and inclusively, promote the mission and goals of the University, and create a positive environment in which to work, learn, and play.

Greetings Retreat Participants:

Welcome to the inaugural Spring Diversity Advisory Council Retreat. In early August, 2006, Dean William Phillips recommended that the College of Education (COE) should develop a Diversity Advisory Council (DAC) and invite educational experts and doctoral candidates from across the state and throughout the United States to campus for a weekend retreat. Dr. Sherwood Thompson, Director of the office of Teacher Admission and Certification was given the responsibility to plan the event.

The Diversity Advisory Council will host a Spring and Fall diversity retreat. The Spring Retreat is planned for April 6 & 7, 2007 on the campus of Eastern Kentucky University. The Fall Retreat will be held also on the campus of Eastern Kentucky University on October 12 & 13, 2007.

The purpose of the Diversity Advisory Council is to provide the College of Education with a vehicle for generating innovative initiatives that address inclusion and multiculturalism within the COE. One of the critical challenges facing the COE in the twenty-first century will be the restructuring of existing academe programs and resources that reflect new creation of inclusive academic programs designed to expand and sustain opportunities for Kentucky diverse populations. The COE’s mission is unique because the COE serves as the steward of both the rural and the diverse ethnic populations in the state. Clearly issues of diversity and all related ramifications constitute one of the greatest challenges face by the COE and all universities.

It is our hope that you will passionately engage in the activities of the retreat. The activities are carefully designed to stimulate new ideas as to how the COE can improve its role in helping others reach their optimum potential in the academy. We want to forge a close relationship with the doctoral student members of the Diversity Advisory Council in order to provide better support and mentor them through their degree completion. This retreat is a blueprint for establishing an institutional approach to managing diversity; it also focuses on specific aspects of expanding ethnic student participation in every sector of the COE and the campus community as a whole.

 We trust that you will have a memorable experience during your visit at Eastern Kentucky University, and that the Diversity Advisory Council retreat will provide you with the opportunity to meet new colleagues and make new friends. It is the hope of the planning committee that this retreat will bring a harmonious and rich experience to the participants. Again, welcome to Eastern Kentucky University. Retreat Planning Committee

Order of the Program

April 6, 2007
Arlington Association Club

Opening Comments - Dr. Sherwood Thompson

Dean Phillips - Introduction of Provost Piercey

Welcome Address - Provost Piercey

Musical Selections - Mary E. Trumbo

Dinner

Introduction of Speaker - Dr. Norman Powell

Dinner Speaker - Dr. Kaye Jeter

April 7, 200777
SStudent Services Building

Overview of Today’s Program - Dr. Sherwood Thompson

Introduction of Speakers - Dr. Norman W. Powell Director, KECSAC

Welcome Remarks - Sandra Moore Special Assistant to the Provost

Focus on Diversity Presentation - Dr. Kaye Jeter

Breakout Sessions I - Faculty & Academic Administrators Students (undergraduate & graduate)

Lunch - Regent Room, Powell Building

Breakout Sessions II - Curriculum & Research Organization Assessment

Breakout Sessions Reports - Group Leaders

Wrap-up & Adjournment - Dr. Sherwood Thompson

SPRING 2007 RETREAT AGENDA

Track Four: Organization Assessment
Discuss the role that multicultural issues play in student orientation and program degree completion. Identify factors that will align themselves with the current COE and University strategic plan. Discuss the utility of developing a program specifically geared toward identifying and preparing ethnic diverse and low-income students for success in the COE. Align the COE Diversity Committee goals with the Diversity Advisory Council's goals and recommendations and monitor progress towards goals and recommendations at all level of the COE.

INTRODUCTION:

The creation of the Diversity Advisory Council (DAC) is an important first step in developing strategies for expanding diversity and inclusion within the College of Education (COE). The Diversity Advisory Council was created by Dean Bill Phillips who appointed Dr. Sherwood Thompson to serve as the chairperson of the council.

The DAC exists to study the issues and challenges associated with increasing diversity in the COE and to direct efforts to coordinate, initiate and design programs to increase the participation and involvement of ethnic, gender, and underrepresented populations within the COE. The DAC will meet once in the Fall and once in the Spring to execute and review the specific charge of the committee.

Doctoral candidates of color from across the United States have been invited to serve as DAC student members. All DAC members will serve without pay; however, transportation and accommodations to attend the twice yearly meetings will be provided.

CHARGE:

The DAC will support the mission of the College of Education by:

• Actively promoting a climate of respect and appreciation for diversity and inclusion in all aspects of the COE. .
• Identifying key issues and recommending ways in which the COE can further diversity initiatives within its faculty ranks by collaborating with department chairs and faculty to establish a professional network of persons of color to identify potential candidates for faculty, academic staff and administrators of color positions.
• Networking with contacts throughout the U.S. through professional associations by implementing a referral system where existing faculty and DAC members are encouraged to recruit faculty of color.
• Implementing a high-profile celebration in the COE when exceptional efforts result in successful diversity faculty hires.
• Pursuing efforts for faculty and student exchange programs with Historically Black Universities and Colleges, Hispanic Serving Institutions and Tribal Colleges throughout the United States.
• Recommending means for doctoral candidates of color who serve on the DAC to teach courses during the summer at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU).
• Encouraging students of color ABDs to apply for tenure-track faculty positions at EKU and mentoring them to degree completion.n.
• Encouraging diverse faculty hires outside of the traditional ranks from business, industry and government.
• Recommending a targeted recruitment program for students of color in both undergraduate and graduate education programs.
• Establishing effective academic orientation and retention program for students of color.
• Examining concerns relating to the retention, advancement, and quality of life of faculty of color.
• Fostering research and new scholarship that encourages, enhances and supports knowledge and inquiry of diverse cultures.
• Sponsoring, supporting, and promoting programs which build individual awareness and understanding of diversity issues among students, staff, and faculty.
• Establishing multicultural competences and academic outcomes for course requirements in professional education programs.
• Coordinating implementation of the diversity-related aspects of the COE's strategic plan.
• Providing reports depicting the progress and status of the ongoing diversity efforts in the COE.E.

SUBCOMITTEES:

In order to activate the charge of the DAC, several subcommittees will be organized to focus on specific areas of diversity within the COE. These work groups will be made up of existing members of the COE Multicultural and Diversity Issues Committee and will focused on:

• Faculty, academic staff and administrators of color.
• Students (undergraduate and graduate) concerns.
• Curriculum and research interests.
• Organization assessment issues.

SPECIFIC ROLE OF THE DAC:

• Provide advice to the Dean of the College of Education on diversity issues.s.
• Serve as a leadership council for diversity issues for the COE .
• Prepare reports concerning progress on diversity initiatives of the COE.
• Ensure that the diversity initiatives of the COE are in conformity with the mission of the University .
• To regularly monitor ongoing programs and to introduce new approaches, activities and initiatives in conjunction with the COE Diversity Committee.

• Faculty from the COE.E.
• Chairs From the COE.
• Representative from the Dean’s Office.
• Faculty representative from outside the COE.
• Staff Representative from the COE.
• Student Representatives (undergraduate and graduate) from the COE.
• ABD candidates of color from outside the COE.
• Representative from University Diversity Office.
• Representative from area school district.
• Representative from KY Council on Post Secondary Education.

Appointment of DAC Members:

Members will be appointed by the Dean of the College of Education and have diversity-related expertise or interest, and have a willingness to carry out diversity-specific responsibilities on behalf of the COE.

Dr. Kaye Manson Jeter currently serves as the Special Assistant to the President Executive Director of the Institute of Urban Education, at Central State University, Wilberforce, Ohio. Prior to her current appointment she served as the Dean of the College of Education. Dr. Jeter holds doctorate degrees in both law and education and has more that 38 years of professional experience in those areas. In her service as Dean of the College of Education, she was able to reform the teacher education program so that more minorities could become certified by passing the required national test. She developed and implemented the “Know More Learning System”, using a holistic approach to passing standardized test.

From 1996 to 2002, Dr. Jeter served as general counsel for the Tennessee Department of Education, providing statewide leadership to schools and districts in all matters of law, developing comprehensive programs in student discipline and sexual harassment, while making numerous education law presentations around the state. Her previous assignment was as the Director of Teacher Certification for Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. Earlier she served as the director of elementary education for the Benton Harbor, Michigan, public schools for five years and as an administrator, counselor and teacher for the Pontiac, Michigan, public schools for ten years. She recently released the first in her Legacy to Life Series, a book titled Teacher, Teacher, What Does Your Garden Grow?