On April 18, the College of Education hosted Stakeholder’s Day at Norman Hall to reconnect with donors, alumni, and friends of the college.
Guests traveled from around the state to learn more about current and future projects involving our students and faculty, centered around our college’s tradition of transforming education.
To kick off the dynamic event, Dean Glenn Good and Associate Dean of Personnel Affairs and Student Engagement Erica McCray welcomed the crowd with warm opening remarks before Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development Thomasenia Adams spoke on reframing “problems” as opportunities instead of setbacks. She explained that our college community uses each new problem we face as a springboard of learning– fostering stronger collaboration, engaging in deeper research and producing impactful solutions for our schools and communities.
The immense power of collaboration was further emphasized by keynote speaker Danita Dehaney, President and CEO of the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties. She talked about the impact of educational research and provided examples of how the Community Foundation partners with UF and other state universities to address some of our state’s most immediate needs, such as boosting literacy rates and addressing children’s mental health struggles after crises.
Attendees experienced an auditory journey through “Pure Imagination” as the P.K. Yonge student choir performed Gene Wilder’s most famous song among others before Tim Vetere, Ph.D., discussed how UF is leading the way in preparing teachers to meet the demands of education today while reimagining a future that will benefit Florida classrooms and beyond.
In the true spirit of showcasing our next generation of educators, a student panel discussion was facilitated by Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs Elayne Colón. Panelists expressed their appreciation for various scholarship opportunities, expanded on research they’ve participated in, and considered their plans for the future after graduation.
Justin Ortagus, Ph.D., and Paul Perrault, Ph.D., senior vice president of community impact and learning with the Helios Education Foundation, delivered a presentation on research being conducted through the college’s Institute of Higher Education’s partnership with Helios, focusing on topics such as reducing student achievement gaps and decreasing college drop out rates.
After lunch, Shaunté Duggins, Ph.D., described some of the incredible projects being implemented by New Worlds Reading through the Lastinger Center for Learning as they work towards instilling a lifelong love of reading for Florida students, VPK-5th, who are not yet reading on grade level.
Visitors were also treated to donor and alumnus Joe Thigpen III’s (Ph.D., ‘74), enthralling backstory, from the Peace Corps in Brazil, to his army service in the Vietnam War, to his career as a consultant and executive coach. Woven throughout was the underlying impact his University of Florida education had on his life and career success.
“I came to realize the value of what I had learned here,” Thigpen said of the College of Education. “I learned that who you are and how you treat people really mattered. I learned our stories stem from our beliefs which dictate how we experience the world and how we view the people and the immense community around us… and I learned the power and importance of empathy.”
“Because I came to appreciate the value of my education here at the university at a very deep level, I felt a compelling desire to give back.”
Throughout the day, participants enjoyed several breakout sessions around Norman Hall.
The Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies hosted a presentation by Senior Research Scientist Herman Knopf on their ongoing initiatives including the A to Z’s of Early Childhood and the Sunshine Portal.
Two faculty members from the Institute for Advanced Learning Technologies spoke on both new and ongoing projects. Maya Israel, Ph.D., announced the newly established CSEveryone Center, while Nigel Newbutt, Ph.D., discussed the use of virtual reality to explore learning environments for autistic people.
P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School’s Director of Program Development and Outreach Christy Gabbard shared information about several initiatives, including the recently implemented learning pathways for secondary school students. These pathways range from performing arts to artificial intelligence in order to advance students’ subject mastery as well as college and career readiness.
The Prevention and Intervention Network (PIN) for Youth, Families, Schools and Communities facilitated a discussion around the center’s mission of promoting healthy development and well-being for youth through leading research and prevention science, led by PIN Center Director Joni Splett. Ongoing projects include Gator Connect and Project THRIVE.
Multiple projects from the UF Education and Policy Research Center were shared by Chris Curran, Ph.D., and Walter Balser, Ed.D., including the School Safety Dashboard and ED-AI Navigator. The center focuses on stimulating and supporting scholarly research on relevant and timely education policy issues.
University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI) Director Holly Lane spoke on their ongoing efforts to improve literacy outcomes for struggling students and how the addition of several resource hubs and the launch of UFLI Foundations, supported by a robust online social community, have expanded the reach of the institute dramatically over the past several years.
After a day filled with learning more about vital college initiatives, Executive Director of Advancement Jim Burke led the group through a talkback session. Attendees shared their favorite and most impressive takeaways, their “aha” moments, from the day with enthusiasm around the college’s research agenda.
Dean Good closed out the event by speaking on the state of the college, including the recent addition of four new centers, our steady climb in college rankings, and the essential contributions funding our students, faculty and facilities, saying, “I want to thank the corporations that have partnered with us, the philanthropic organizations that are supporting us, and the donors here– it takes all of you to make this happen.”