Connections - Summer 2014
Dean's Message: The College's New Strategic Plan
The Steering Committee has been working to take advantage of the energy and good ideas that have emerged from our Departments, other budget units, and Focus Groups for the College's new Strategic Plan.
College News
2014 Outstanding Faculty, Staff, and Students Honored
The College of Education honored the recipients of its 2014 Faculty, Staff, and Student Awards.
Penn State Launches New Online Master's Degree in Higher Education
An online master's degree in higher education will help adult learners take advantage of job growth and further their careers in the field.
Support from Alumni, Friends Benefit Students, Provides for Future Excellence
As the "For the Future" campaign draws to a close, the College reflects on how its community's many meaningful contributions continue to make a powerful positive impact. Review Recent New Endowments to the College of Education
New Partnership Provides Future Teachers Experiences Working with English Language Learning Students
Penn State students learning to work with English Language Learners help create a positive influence on the school children and community of Hazleton, Pa.
Workshops Connect Penn State Faculty with Science Teachers
The Center for Science and the Schools (CSATS) offers professional development workshops for educators that help bring science teaching and learning theory to life.
Alumni Recognized for their Impact on Education Through Professional Development Schools
College of Education alumni are positively impacting education through award-winning PDS programs throughout the country.
Students with vision impairments transition to college via Summer Academy
The Summer Academy, a program for high school students who are blind or visually impaired, will be held at Penn State for the first time this summer.
New Mathematics Laboratory Transforms Research and Instruction
The College of Education recently opened its new mathematics education lab, which provides the College with an environment that has a duality of use, combining research space and classroom space into one state-of-the-art facility.
College Alumnus Recognized by White House as Champion of Change
Penn State alumnus Kevin Clark was honored at a recent White House ceremony as a Champion of Change.
Brad Hoffman, Alumni Award Winner, Is Transforming Education
Brad Hoffman, founder and chief executive officer of my Learning Springboard, Inc., was awarded the Alumni Achievement Award by the Penn State Alumni Association. His comprehensive multidisciplinary educational consulting company and learning concierge® service is having a transformational impact on the field.
Faculty and Staff News
College of Ed Staff Recognized at Information Technology Impact Awards
Jody Harpster, systems administrator in the Carrara Educational Technology Center (CETC), and Emily Martell, the College of Education’s financial officer, were recognized at the Information Technology (IT) Impact Awards with the Resource Responsibility award for their work on centralized computer equipment purchasing.
Murphy Presents on Her NSF-funded Research on Group Discussions in Science Classrooms
P. Karen Murphy, professor of education, presented at the 20th Annual Coalition for National Science Funding Exhibition and Reception in May on behalf of the American Educational Research Association (AERA).
Promotions in Academic Ranks
The College of Education is proud to announce that a number of faculty members have received promotions and/or tenure.
College of Education Faculty Member Performs Pa. Folk at International Rock Festival
Kai A. Schafft, associate professor of education in the Department of Education Policy Studies, performed with indie rock band Marah Presents Mountain Minstrelsy at Azkena Rock Festival outside of Bilbao, Spain on June 20.
Faculty Member Makes Presentation at TEDxPSU
Jeanine Staples presented her TEDxPSU talk titled "How to Die Peacefully" describing figurative deaths and methods to overcome them.
College of Education Faculty Member Presents TEDx Talk on How Education Positively Impacts the World
David Baker, professor of education, presented at a recent TEDx Fulbright event and discussed how education changes the world.
Staff Members Recognized at Luncheon
Seventeen staff members were recognized for their years of service at April's annual staff appreciation luncheon.
Jim Nolan Reflects on Career Preparing Teachers
Education means a variety of things to a wide range of people. For Jim Nolan, the Henry J. Hermanowicz professor of teacher education, education starts with teachers and students.
Garces Responds to Supreme Court Ruling on Affirmative Action Case
Liliana Garces, assistant professor of education and research associate at the Center for the Study of Higher Education, responded to a United States Supreme Court ruling on April 22 that upheld a Michigan constitutional amendment that bans affirmative action in admissions to the state's public universities.
Staff Changes
Please welcome a number of new staff to the College.
2014 AERA Presentations
Presentations made at the American Educational Research Association 2014 Annual Meeting from April 3 to 7 in Philadelphia, PA.
Faculty Research
The latest faculty presentations, publications, grants and proposals.
Faculty and Staff Congratulations
A compilation of and honors won by faculty and staff.
Student News
Student Traveled from Vietnam to Receive M.Ed.
Jennifer Howell traveled from Vietnam to receive her M.Ed.
DI Block Field Trip
The College of Education took students on a recent field trip, the popular Penn State Waste Tour to help students understand how each of the different disciplines, such as math, science, social studies and language arts, all can overlap.
College of Education Named Spring 2014 Student Marshal
Anthony DeVito was named the spring 2014 student marshal for the College of Education.
Balancing Act: Penn State Gymnast Seeks Education Degree
Kassidy Stauder has excelled at balancing the pursuit of an education degree with the rigors of a Div. I gymnast.
Workforce Ed Student Guides State High Construction Group to National Title
A Penn State workforce education student working toward his Vocational Instructional II certificate has shepherded a group of State College Area High School students to first place in a national competition.
EDUCATE Encourages Students to Use Technology to Expand Teaching Experience
A College of Education program encourages students to incorporate technology into their everyday learning experience.
Student Congratulations
Congratulations to Maggie Cardin, Emily Giannotti, Allie Goldstein, Duane Graysay, Heather Ervin, Ben Freeburn, Jeff Hart, Allyson Krupar, Timothy Shrom, Kassidy Stauder, David Taylor, and Emily Werns.
Student Research
Review the latest research by our students.
Connections is published by the Penn State College of Education five times a year.
Send suggestions and feedback to:
College Relations Office
edrelations@psu.edu
College of Education Home Page: http://www.ed.psu.edu
College of Education Faculty and Staff Page: http://www.ed.psu.edu/internal
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Editor: Suzanne Wayne, jxs59@psu.edu
Writers: Amanda Dash, Andy Elder, Samantha Schwartz, Kevin Sliman
This publication is available in alternative media on request. Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce. U.Ed. EDU 14-68
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