School of Education
Dean's Update Archive
Previous issues of the Dean's Update are archived here and available for download.
Dean's Update 2/12
This update is devoted to a progress report on efforts to create organizational entities designed to provide increased supports for SOE faculty, staff, students and partners. Previously I have described the new Associate Dean Positions in the areas of Research and Assessment, and Academic and Student Affairs, as well as the creation of an Office of Student Services, which focuses on undergraduate advising. This update introduces several additions to the SOE organizational structure, which represent either a reorganization of existing functions or the creation of some new supports.
Office of Communications, Development and Alumni Relations
This office brings together the work of staff focused on internal and external communications, fundraising and alumni relations within the School of Education under the leadership of Dr. Meredith Walther (mewalthe@uncg.edu). Communications includes publications, web oversight, digital signage within the School, hallway displays, special events and partnering with University Relations on media relations. Working closely with the UNCG Development Office, this office works with donors who have an interest in making a transformational difference in the lives of students, faculty and the School. Also, in partnership with the UNCG Alumni Relations Office, this office serves to connect with our 13,000+ living alums.
Reports of website problems, requests for revisions to the website and other web related questions should be sent to https://soehelp.uncg.edu/helpdesk/WebObjects/Helpdesk.woa
Announcements for the School of Education updates should be sent to soeannou@uncg.edu
For additional information contact: Melissa Kruep, Public Communications Specialist, Meredith Walther, Sr. Director of Communications, Development and Alumni Relations or Breon Williams, Web and Social Media Specialist
SOE Online Learning
We are in the process of developing an online learning initiative to facilitate the design and implementation of high quality online learning throughout the School. This will be accomplished by focusing on support for faculty and ensuring a strong infrastructure is in place that allows for slow, steady growth of online learning where appropriate. This infrastructure will include a new Director of Online Learning who is developing a guiding strategic plan and business funding model who will also coordinate our marketing, instructional design, course development, technology support, professional development, assessment and evaluation, and, most importantly, incentives and support for faculty interested in teaching online. The increased emphasis on online learning is not intended to replace traditional face-to-face courses but rather facilitate increased access for students who otherwise would be unable to attend UNCG; furthermore, our growing strength in online learning will help position the SOE to be able to appropriately meet the changing needs of 21st century learners with versatility, flexibility, and the quality education students expect from us.
Dr. Anthony Chow has agreed to lead and coordinate SOE's growing online learning initiatives. Anthony has a M.S. in educational psychology, his Ph.D. in instructional systems design (ISD) and has many years of experience with instructional and information technology and leadership and management; he previously served as an IT director and coordinator of online learning for Florida State University's College of Information and has taught, presented, and published on the topic for over ten years. Anthony will remain on the LIS faculty while embracing this new role. Anthony is also actively looking to fund interested faculty willing to develop an online presence in continuing education, professional development, and/or migrate an existing course online for the fall. If you are interested, please work with your department chair about the viability of your project and its role in the strategic directions of your department and then contact him directly at aschow@uncg.edu.
SOE Partnership Office
The SOE Partnership Office, through collaboration, seeks to enhance, deepen, expand, and coordinate SOE partnerships with area school districts, community colleges, businesses, and organizations as well as within and among units at UNCG and other institutions of higher education. The purpose of these partnerships is to engage in collaborative activities that result in mutual benefit to all stakeholder groups.
Dr. Larry Coble has agreed to serve as Director of the Partnership Office on a half-time basis. The other half of Larry's time is devoted to his role as Executive Director of the Piedmont Triad Education Consortium (PTEC). Before assuming this new role in SOE, Larry served as a Visiting Professor in the ELC Department. Larry's background includes serving as superintendent in 4 districts in NC and working for the Center for Creative Leadership. Larry's background and experience with professional development as well as his relationships with districts, organizations, and funding agencies including foundations and Department of Public Instruction, make him the ideal person for this role.
As a part of the work of the Partnership Office, in conjunction with PTEC, interested UNCG SOE faculty may attend PTEC sponsored professional development offerings. Recognizing, too, that many UNCG SOE faculty are nationally recognized for their work, and based on faculty interest and available funding, faculty may be invited to deliver professional development in their areas of expertise to educators in the Piedmont Region. Also in conjunction with PTEC, the SOE Partnership Office, will assist in the creation of Advisory Boards to various programs within the SOE, explore/lead the development of leadership academies for public school administrators, teacher leaders, district level leaders, and community college administrators. Further, the Partnership Office will, where applicable, assist and support current initiatives such as the Summer Teacher Leadership Institute.
Larry has already started meeting with SOE program directors, department chairs, and interested faculty to learn about existing partnerships and outreach activities and to determine if the Partnership Office can assist in strengthening current effort. He may be contacted at lrrycble@bellsouth.net or by phone at 336-712-3396 or 336-908-0225.
SOE Organization Chart Feb. 2012