Sonya D. Hayes, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, has been chosen as one of the new editors for AERA’s Division A newsletter. She will serve a two year appointment beginning in May.
University of Tennessee Leadership Academy fellows and alumni recently had the opportunity to hear perspectives and insights on leadership from civil rights icon and Knoxville legend Rev. Harold Middlebrook. Rev. Middlebrook, a long-time pastor and community leader in Knoxville, shared his experiences, his stories, and what he has learned about leadership over his extraordinary career. In the midst of a lovely setting in the new Student Union, he spoke of faith, vision, perseverance in the face of obstacles, and the importance of bridge-building to make an easier path for others who follow. Most poignantly, Rev. Middlebrook spoke of the remarkable lessons learned about leadership and life from his close affiliation with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in his youth.
The College of Education, Health and Human Sciences has two graduate students who were instrumental in developing this year’s United at the Rock event. Two of our Educational Leadership and Policy Study students made this event their capstone project; a project which allow students to synthesize and apply skills and content from across the leadership curriculum and their primary academic discipline to research, design, critique alternatives, propose a solution, and effect change in a leadership challenge or community problem needing leadership.
This year, students Jessyca Ford and Elaina Emery, each took a portion of this project. Ford tackled the task of getting the word out or the Word of Mouth Campaign so that everyone who wished could participate. Emery was challenged with the task of organizing the Volunteer Fair for the event which included over 150 participants which she worked in collaboration with the Center for Leadership and Service.
Enjoy their efforts in these videos and join us in congratulating these two students on a job well done.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVvBQg3oL2g?feature=oembed]
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zBUzyiKEx4?feature=oembed]
The children of Inskip Elementary School are a little warmer today thanks to the generous donations of the Dean’s Staff Advisory Board (DSAB) in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences.
Staff throughout the college gathered new and gently used coats, headbands, scarves, gloves and toboggan caps for the children of Inskip Elementary. Many times, these items are the extras that parents just can’t afford or items children have sometimes lost. The DSAB wanted to make things a little easier and ensure that their children could be warm throughout the chillier days.
The DSAB is comprised of a representative from each of the eight major departments and also includes representatives from centers, grants, and programs throughout the college. This is the second such donation of needed items that the board has gathered and donated to Inskip Elementary. In the past, the board has gathered office supplies and Christmas items for donation to South Knox Elementary School.
Representatives attending the donation today included Wade McGarity, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, Kayla Jones, Board Chairperson, from the Dean’s Administrative Staff, and Bonnie Maples, Co-Chairperson, from the college’s Office of Marketing & Communications. The children who so joyfully helped us in receiving the items and being our models included: Elijah Walker, Aliyah Helms, Eliyah Newton & Roseanne Layne.
Tanisha Jenkins, PhD student in Higher Education Administration at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, is featured as one of Knoxville News Sentinel’s “Top 40 under 40”. Her goal is to promote academic success, leadership development and equality for all students at UT. She is the Director of the Office of Multicultural Student Life and the Frieson Black Cultural Center.
Photo from Knox News Sentinel
Mary Lynne Derrington, Associate Professor in the department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, was invited to work with Scottish school leaders on global perspectives of principal and teacher evaluation systems November 20-24, 2018. Following her presentation Supervising and Evaluating Principals: Assisting with Challenges, she met with University of Glasgow academic staff, leadership programs heads, and national school inspectors in a discussion seminar. Later that day she met with principals and PhD students. Following a presentation, Supervising and Evaluating Teachers in an Era of Policy Mandates, there was a question and answer exchange.
While in Glasgow, Derrington also delivered two presentation at the Scottish Educational Research Association. Her presentation, Using Longitudinal Qualitative Research to Examine Change Over Time was based on her just released Sage Publications book. She also presented, with University of Glasgow faculty, in an invited seminar on Middle Leadership in Schools, the Critical Axis for Change and Improvement.
SR Education Group, a leading education research publisher founded in 2004, has just unveiled their 2019 rankings on GuidetoOnlineSchools.com.The new best online colleges lists are the first to offer all-encompassing rankings of online colleges using up-to-date alumni salary data from PayScale and tuition rates across degree level and program. Inclusion on this list shows high return on investment and commitment to affordability, two key factors for prospective students. The University of Tennessee – Knoxville made the ranking at 24th for Master’s Degrees in Educational Leadership.
The full list is available here: https://www.guidetoonlineschools.com/degrees/educational-leadership#best-value-masters
The methodology for these rankings employs median mid-career salary data, as well as manually researched tuition rates. Since salaries differ by degree level and program, SR Education Group utilizes bachelor’s, master’s, and program specific salary data for the rankings. Manually collected tuition rates are also specific to degree level and program.
“We are excited to offer the most comprehensive and diverse collection of online school and program rankings. Our resources give prospective students transparent and accessible information to help them make important decisions about investments in their education and future career paths,” said Sung Rhee, CEO of SR Education Group.
It is common to find Leadership Studies minor students in the traditionally recognized student leadership positions and honors. Each graduating class of the Leadership Studies minor, since its inception in Fall 2015, has included at least one TorchBearer and Chancellors Honors Award recipients including 2 Extraordinary Campus Leadership and Service recipients. By its 4th graduating class in Spring 2019, the LSM alumni will include 5 student government executive officers (including 2 presidents and 2 vice presidents) and a President of the Panhellenic Council. It might be helpful to share that in addition to our students graduating as exemplary student leaders, this year a freshman pursuing the honors leadership studies minor and a member of the inaugural Honors Leadership Program shows what our students can do with a little support and nudge.
Grant Kobes – a first year Honors Leadership Program student completing an assignment for his first foundations of leadership course within the minor – created a strategic leadership plan to found and serve as the chief engineer for UTK’s Vex U Robotics Team, YNOT. Grant secured a team mentor and started a new student organization after writing a budget, constitution, holding interest meetings/ individual member skills evaluations/ and officer elections. His team spent the fall serving as volunteer referees and judges at high school events in order to gain experience with game strategy. With no sponsor or work space, Grant and his teammates created their first robot iteration in the floor of his dorm room! Team YNOT had an amazing first season, ranking 5th in world in autonomous programming and driver skills, and competing at the 2018 Vex Robotics World Championship.
One of Grant’s top leadership goals is reflected in Team YNOT’s mission statement: a focus on mentoring younger teams in the Knoxville community. Their work last year included creating an alliance of more than 15 area high school teams, all of which were personally coached by UTK’s team members. The impact of this collaboration was recognized and praised by judges, resulting in team YNOT receiving the prestigious Community Award at this year’s World Championship. This award is presented to the university level team that has demonstrated the most meaningful leadership and influence toward promoting STEM education in their local community. Grant’s goal is to use competitive robotics to recruit the most talented high school students from the Knoxville area to the Tickle College of Engineering in the coming years.
Grant was also honored with an invitation to attend the 2018 Vex Robotics Event Partner Summit in Greenville, Texas. This all-expense paid trip allowed leaders in Vex robotics from around the world a chance to meet at Vex headquarters to discuss the coming season. As the youngest attendee in Vex history, Grant connected with many key individuals at both the state and national level.
This summer, Grant recruited over 50 new members while promoting his team at 11 of 13 orientation sessions. His leadership philosophy focuses on personally getting to know each perspective student’s strengths and interests so that he can help them become a valued team member. Grant invites anyone interested to contact him at gkobes@vols.utk.edu or the team Instagram @YNOTrobotics.
Kenneth Carrico completed the V.O.L.S. Lead online program, along with his principalship license, and graduated in May of 2018 with a Masters in Educational Administration.
Knoxville News Sentinel article: Click Here
(Photo courtesy of Michael Patrick/News Sentinel)
The Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, including the Postsecondary Education Research Center and the Center for Educational Leadership, were honored at the Big Orange Family Campaign Celebration for achieving 100 percent participation among its faculty and staff.
The Big Orange Family Campaign is an annual month long initiative to enhance philanthropy among faculty and staff. Last year, donations helped provide 6,148 undergraduate and graduate students with scholarships. This year the Big Orange Family Campaign reached 59.56% participation, a full 5.5% higher than the campus-wide goal of 54%.
