A Message from the Dean
College of Education and Human Development
Just recently, I was asked to create what many people would call an “elevator
speech” for the college. In trying to craft a brief paragraph that gives
someone unfamiliar with the college a sense of who we are and what we
do, I was struck by what a challenging task I had undertaken. Part of the
difficulty was trying to keep my description brief, while still giving a sense
of the incredible breadth of programs, projects, and initiatives. Throughout
this process, I found myself reminded of the many unique and different
types of “work” done in the college. If you were to ask most people what
they think we do in the College of Education and Human Development
(CEHD), their first answer probably would have to do with teacher
preparation. While that is one of our very important functions, we also offer cutting-edge professional
development to school and community personnel; get deeply involved in educational policy issues;
explore health, wellness, and recreation issues as they relate to children and adults; and conduct research
on cognitive function—just to name a few things.
I suspect you are somewhat surprised by the mention of research on cognitive function and encourage you to learn more about the work of Layne Kalbfleisch, assistant professor in CEHD’s Educational Psychology Program. Dr. Kalbfleisch’s work in cognitive neuroscience greatly informs and shapes the ground-breaking research on how children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, and dyslexia think. A pioneer in the field, Kalbfleisch is finding answers to some very difficult questions that will ultimately help children with some of the aforementioned disorders and cognitive challenges learn.
But the surprises don’t end there. In CEHD’s School of Recreation, Health, and Tourism (RHT), students have collaborated with a local active adult community to help create leisure programming that meets their social, recreational, and educational needs. Looking at the current demographics, the need for services to those who are “55 and Better” will only increase, and the faculty and students of RHT are working to meet this community need.
These are just two examples of some of the interesting ways in which the college is contributing positively to the lives of children and adults—locally and nationally. I have many more examples to share, so while I have completed my “elevator speech,” I encourage you to get involved and learn firsthand just how remarkable we are.
Jeff Gorrell
Dean, College of Education and Human Development