COE programs recognized for excellence in assessment

February 21, 2017

Recognized COE faculty included: (l-r): Lina Soares, Ph.D.; Dawn Tysinger, Ph.D.; Yasar Bodur, Ph.D.; and Shelley Woodward, M.Ed.

Ten degree programs from the College of Education (COE) were recognized for Excellent Academic Program Assessment Reports during Georgia Southern University’s Fourth Annual Assessment Symposium on Feb. 15.

Each year, the symposium recognizes institutional assessment procedures completed at an exceptional level. The University is committed to creating a culture of performance assessment not only for accrediting purposes but because of its utilization in improving and maximizing student learning.

Programs and faculty recognized included: M.Ed. Early Childhood Education, Julie Garlen, Ed.D; M.Ed. Secondary Education, Michelle Reidel, Ph.D.; M.A.T. Middle Grades Education, Greg Chamblee, Ph.D.; M.A.T. Special Education, Shelley Woodward; M.A.T. Spanish Education, Marcela Ruiz-Funes, Ph.D.; Ed.S. Early Childhood Education, Ed.S. Middle Grades Education, and Ed.S. Secondary Education, Yasar Bodur, Ph.D.; B.S.Ed. Middle Grades Education, Lina Soares, Ph.D.; Ed.S. School Psychology, Dawn Tysinger, Ph.D.

In a prepared written statement, University Provost Jean Bartels, Ph.D. expressed her gratitude to the faculty for their diligence in the assessment process.

“Your efforts with assessment lay the cornerstone for academic excellence and student success,” Bartels wrote. “Thank you so much for your hard work and dedication. We are all winners as a result.”

Representing the COE on the Academic Assessment Steering Committee are l-r): Kymberly Harris, Ph.D., Elizabeth Prosser, Ph.D., and Jeff Tysinger, Ph.D.

Director of Academic Assessment, Delena Bell Gatch, Ph.D., also commended faculty for their outstanding work and the difference it makes for the University.

“We are doing amazing things across this campus, and I know that, not because of the assessment reports, but because of interacting with individuals,” Gatch said. “… As a campus, we have a passion for students.”

Academic Program Assessment Reports are collected annually from all Georgia Southern academic programs. Reports are reviewed and scored by the University’s Assessment Steering Committee using a rubric evaluating the quality of the report. The review of reports is coordinated by the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.

The College of Education is represented on the Academic Assessment Steering Committee by faculty members Kymberly Harris, Ph.D., Elizabeth Prosser, Ph.D., and Jeff Tysinger, Ph.D. who also serves as an Academic Assessment Leader for the committee.