College of Education 2021 Highlights and Faculty and Staff Awards

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SUMMARY: A celebration of the College of Education 2021 highlights and faculty and staff award winners


The 2020-21 academic year has not been what anyone would have expected. There have been many trials and hurdles to overcome both within JMU and the rest of the world. But the people of the College of Education have shown great resiliency throughout. 

In this past year we have worked on the development and implementation of the diversity, equity, and inclusion framework, had our Lab School proposal approved by the JMU Board of Visitors, and implemented and expanded the statewide teacher induction program.

Our academic departments have created and grown new programs, majors, and minors and supported new endorsements for local teachers. Our support departments have worked to improve the visibility of our college, reviewed and aligned our policies through a lens of Educational Justice, and completed over 500 individual service requests and 72 professional development opportunities for school systems. 

Our Young Children's Program was able to re-open in January after adjusting to COVID regulations and hiring a new teacher and administrative assistant. The Military Science Department has been named as one of the 2021 Sandhurst Top 5 ROTC programs in the nation.

A number of our faculty have been promoted this year

  • Dr. Oris Griffin - Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  • Dr. Katie Dredger - Academic Unit Head (MSME) and Interim Unit Head (LTLE)
  • Dr. Joy Myers - Academic Unit Head (EERE)
  • Dr. Dannette Bronaugh - Academic Unit Head (EFEX)
  • Dr. Amanda Randall - Co-Director (TTAC)

We are also celebrating the following promotions and tenure announcements, effective August 25, 2021

  • Dr. Joi Merritt - granted tenure (already holds rank of associate professor)
  • Dr. Emma Thacker - promoted to associate professor and granted tenure
  • Dr. Joy Myers - promoted to associate professor and granted tenure
  • Dr. Kristofor Wiley - promoted to associate professor and granted tenure
  • Dr. Shin Ji Kang - promoted to professor
  • Dr. Katya Koubek - promoted to professor

Other awards of note

  • Dr. John Almarode - SCHEV 2021 Outstanding Faculty Award
  • Dr. Dara Hall - 2021 Provost Award for Excellence in Outreach and Engagement
  • Anne Loso - Make Your Next Move Award (University Career Center)
  • Dr. Smita Mathur - 2021 Distinguished Service Award for the College of Education
  • Dr. Kristina Doubet - 2021 Madison Scholar Aware for the College of Education 
  • Dr. Kara Kavanagh - 2021 Distinguished Teacher Award for the College of Education
  • Dr. Maryam Sharifian - 2021 Essie Glass College of Education Faculty Award
  • Dr. Oris Griffin - 2021 College of Education Diversity Award
  • Dr. Stephanie Wasta - Luck Endowed Professorship for Excellence in Education
  • Dr. Sara Snyder - Damico Endowed Chair for Exceptional Education in the College of Education
  • Middle School Education, MAT Program - 2021 Provost Award for Excellence in Assessment
  • Melissa Rebich - 2021 Provost Award for Administrative Excellence
  • Sandra Gilchrist - 2021 Provost Award for Administrative Excellence
  • Dr. Michelle Cude -2021 Spring Faculty Senate Mini-Grant: Proven Partnership in Teaching Citizenship to Community Immigrants
  • Dr. Dana Haraway, Dr. Robbie Higdon, Dr. Kris Wiley & Dr. Michelle Cude - 2021 Spring Faculty Senate Mini-Grant: Educational Justice meets Virtual Exchange - Tablets for Girls in Nasaruni Academy
  • Dr. Ashley Taylor Jaffee & Dr. Mary Beth Cancienne - 2021 Spring Faculty Senate Mini-Grant: Teaching Hard Histories for Racial Healing - Lynchburg Virginia Curriculum Project
  • Dr. Reece Wilson - 2021 Spring Faculty Senate Mini-Grant: Promoting Outdoor Play for Young Children
  • Dr. Zareen Rahman - 2021 Provost's Faculty Diversity Curriculum Development Grant
  • Dr. Joi Merritt - 2021 Shirley Hanson Roberts '56 and Richard C. Roberts Endowment for Faculty Excellence
  • Dr. Stephanie Wasta - 2021 Provost Award for Excellence in Graduate Advising
  • Dr. Sharon Blatz - 2021 Provost Award for Excellence in Faculty First-Year Advising
  • Dr. Oris Griffin - 2021 Provost's Distinguished Career Award for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
  • Sandra Gilchrist - 2021 Dr. Phil Wishon College of Education Staff Award (full-time)
  • Racheal Propst - 2021 Dr. Phil Wishon College of Education Staff Award (part-time)

Other Acknowledgements

  • Dr. Joshua Pulos - finished first full year as assistant professor
  • Dr. Ben Riden - finished first full year as assistant professor
  • Dr. Monica Smith-Woofter - finished first full year as assistant professor
  • Donica Hadley - newly hired Doctoral Fellow
  • Diana Meza - newly Hired Doctoral Fellow
  • Leonard Richards - newly Hired Doctoral Fellow
  • Marcus Wolfe - newly hired Doctoral Fellow
  • Rabia Lieber - JMU Childminding Service coordination

This year we bid a fond farewell to the following retiring faculty

  • Dr. George Font - EERE Instructor
  • Dr. Holly McCartney - EERE Professor
  • Ms. Lisa Schick - EFEX Instructor

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Published: Saturday, May 15, 2021

Last Updated: Monday, January 9, 2023

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