LOUISVILLE, Ky. - On May 17, the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) voted to approve Spalding University’s proposal of a redesigned principal preparation program. EPSB is Kentucky’s governing body for professional teacher/educator preparation and certification programs.

Spalding University is one of twenty-eight universities and colleges in the Commonwealth of Kentucky offering professional teacher/education preparation programs. The Kentucky legislature passed legislation (16 KAR 3:050) in April 2008 requiring all universities to “sunset” their principal preparation programs by December 2011 and to redesign their principals preparation programs around new guidelines outlined in the legislation. The redesign guidelines were a product of the Kentucky Cohesive Leadership System Principal Preparation Continuum which served as new regulations adapted by EPSB.

Given the changing expectations and responsibilities of the principal, the College of Education needed a more collaborative approach in principal preparation with local school districts in order to provide school leaders with current research practices, course content and field experiences tied to leadership standards, and a continuous assessment system which ensured leadership competency throughout the program. Dr. Beverly Keepers, Dean of the College of Education says, “At the heart of the College of Education’s redesigned program is the belief that an effective principal is one who can increase student achievement by guiding and supporting teachers while capably managing the school organization.”

The program redesign team was led by Dr. Barna, Director of the Principal Preparation program, Dr. Takona, Associate Dean, and Dr. Beverly Keepers, Dean, along with Dr. Lynne Wheat, Jefferson County Public School’s Director of Administrative Recruitment and Development. They mobilized a program redesign team that included university faculty, school teachers, principals from the local public and parochial schools, and other school district personnel to develop a unique research-based and comprehensive program envisioned to ensure that every child achieves academic excellence, develops critical thinking skills, and develops his or her potential and thus close the achievement gap.

In approving Spalding University’s redesigned Principal Preparation Program, Dr. Phil Rogers, Executive Director of the EPSB Board recognized the University as having taken the lead in the state-wide initiative to offer redesign principal program. In a formal letter to Dr. Keepers in recognition of Spalding University achievement in offering a redesign of an existing principal program, Dr. Marilyn Troup, Director of Educator Preparation, congratulated the University stating:

The EPSB would like to commend and congratulate Spalding University for being the first university to actually redesign an existing principal program. The partnership, collaboration, co-delivery, and mentoring process provide the foundation that separates the previous principal programs from the new redesigned principal program. We trust that the implementation of this proposal will provide districts with instructional leaders for the 21st Century Schools.

The College of Education is currently accepting applicants for the Principal Preparation program fall 2010 cohort. Interested applicants should contact Dr. Eric Barna, Director of the Principal Preparation program at ebarna@spalding.edu, or at 585-9911 x 2028. Scholarships for qualifying applicants are available for the fall cohort.

BARBOURVILLE, Ky. - Union College has received approval to move forward with an RN-to-BSN nursing program. The first cohort of students will begin in August.

Nurses interested in the program can apply at any time, though fall classes begin on August 24.

The program has been approved by the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The accreditation process with the Council on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) begins when the first class enters and will be completed within two years.

The RN-to-BSN program is for practicing registered nurses with an associate of applied science in nursing or a diploma in nursing from a hospital program. Graduates will earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Classes are structured so that nurses may continue to work full-time as they pursue the BSN on a part-time basis.

Ed de Rosset, Union’s president, says the program will help meet a critical need for bachelor’s-prepared nurses and, hopefully, primary care providers.

“As we researched this program, it became clear that the southeastern Kentucky region is in need of nurses with bachelor’s degrees for two key reasons: the increase in the quality of care provided, and the need for nurses who are prepared to seek graduate-level degrees,” said de Rosset.

The National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice recommends that at least two-thirds of the nurse workforce hold a bachelor’s degree. In Kentucky, that number is 30 percent. In rural Kentucky, it is closer to 15 percent.

Betty Johnson, Ph.D., the consultant who helped Union develop its RN-to-BSN program and who serves as its interim dean, says research shows a clear link between degree attainment and quality of care, including “lower mortality rates, fewer medication errors and quality outcomes.”

Union College officials also considered health care professional shortages in southeastern Kentucky as they planned for the program. Nurses with a bachelor’s degree, says Dr. Johnson, can take advantage of graduate and doctoral programs that can lead to becoming nurse practitioners. Nurse practitioners are able to serve as primary care providers.

Four of the 14 counties in Union’s target market for the RN-to-BSN program are federally designated health professional shortage areas (HPSAs), in part because primary care providers are in short supply. The HPSAs are Jackson, Leslie, Owsley and Wayne counties.

In 2008, Union led a needs-assessment process that included a survey of practicing nurses in the 14-county area. Dr. Johnson says 46 percent of surveyed nurses said they are interested in earning the BSN. Of those nurses who are also interested in advanced degrees, over 40 percent indicated a desire to become nurse practitioners.

The first groups of nursing students at Union will study in the Miller Science Center. By 2012, the college expects rehabilitation of the former Knox County hospital building to be complete. It will serve as the permanent home of Union’s Department of Nursing and Health Sciences.

To learn more about the new nursing program, visit www.unionky.edu/nursing.

BEREA, Ky. - The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) and the Walmart Foundation have selected Berea College for a $100,000 College Success Award. The grant is to be used over a two-year period for the creation of a pilot program to increase the success of first-generation students. Berea was one of 30 CIC members selected to receive the grants.

The 30 selected schools, along with 20 CIC member schools that received awards in 2008, will work together as a network to assist first-generation college students, learn from one another, and serve as models for other colleges and universities. According to the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, the six-year graduation rate of first-generation students at private colleges and universities is 61 percent, compared with only 44 percent at public four-year institutions.

Berea will use the grant toward programs available to all first-generation students, but specifically targeting students from “distressed” counties as designated by the Appalachian Regional Commission. The major programming component will be a student peer-mentoring program integrating academic, labor and residential aspects of the college experience of Berea students. A faculty/staff program focused on providing supportive relationships to Berea’s many first-generation students is also a part of this grant. The programs are based on research that shows that first-year first-generation students who develop supportive peer and faculty/staff relationships are more likely to persist in their studies and graduate.

This is the second round of Walmart College Success Awards. Bellarmine University in Louisville received one of the highly competitive grants in 2008.

For more about the Walmart College Success Awards and the programs of Berea College and the other recipients, visit the CIC website at www.cic.edu/projects_services/walmart_college_success.asp

Alice Lloyd College
Saturday, May 15, 12:15 PM
Grady Nutt Athletic Center
Speaker: John Carroll

Asbury University
Saturday, May 8, Noon
Luce Center
Speaker: Dr. Dermot Quinn

Bellarmine University
Saturday, May 8, Noon
Knights Hall
Speaker: Robert F. Sexton, Executive Director of the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence

Berea College
Sunday, May 23, 2:00 PM
Seabury Center
Speaker: Diana L. Eck, Professor of Comparative Religion and Indian Studies at Harvard University, award-winning author and director of the Pluralism Project

Brescia University
Saturday, May 8, 10 AM (CST)
Riverpark Center
Speaker: Bishop William F. Medley (Diocese of Owensboro)

Campbellsville University
Undergraduate Commencement:
Saturday, May 8, 9:00 AM
Powell Athletic Center
Speaker: The Honorable Dr. Ron Lewis, former U.S. Representative, Second District Kentucky, Member, CU Board of Trustees

Campbellsville University
Graduate Commencement:
Friday, May 7, 7:00 PM
Ransdell Chapel
Speaker: Dr. Darlene Eastridge, dean of the Carver School of Social Work and Counseling at Campbellsville University

Centre College
Sunday, May 23, 3:00 PM
Newlin Hall, Norton Center for the Arts
Speaker: Wayne Meisel, president of the Corella and Bertram F. Bonner Foundation

Georgetown College
Saturday, May 15, 10:00 AM
Lawn of Giddings Circle (Rain: Alumni Gymnasium)
Speaker: Lora Villarreal, Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer for Affiliated Computer Services

Kentucky Christian University
Saturday, May 8, 10:00 AM
Lusby Center
Speaker: Wayne B. Smith

Kentucky Wesleyan College
Saturday, May 15, 10:00 AM (CDT)
Hocker-Hall Grove (Rain: Woodward Health and Recreation Center)
Speaker: U.S. Representative Brett Guthrie, Kentucky 2nd District

Lindsey Wilson College
Saturday, May 8, 10:00 AM (CDT)
Biggers Sports Center
Speaker: Lindsey Wilson College Chancellor John B. Begley (sixth president of LWC from 1978-97)

Mid-Continent University
Saturday, May 15, 3:00 PM
Graves County High School

Midway College
Saturday, May 15, 5:00 PM
Graves Amphitheater
James J. O’Brien, Ashland, Inc., CEO

Pikeville College
Saturday, May 8, 2:00 PM
East Kentucky Expo Center
Speaker: Chris T. Sullivan, founder of Outback Steakhouse restaurant company

Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine
Saturday, May 8, 9:00 AM
East Kentucky Expo Center
Senator Mitch McConnell

St. Catharine College
Saturday, May 15, 11:00 AM
Lourdes Hall
Speaker: Joe Meyer, acting secretary of Kentucky’s Education and Workforce Cabinet

Spalding University
Saturday, June 5, 10:00 AM
Canaan Christian Church

Thomas More College
Saturday, May 15, 1:30 PM
Lawn in front of the Holbrook Student Center
Speaker: The Rev. Edward A. Malloy, C.S.C., President Emeritus of the University of Notre Dame

Transylvania University
Saturday, May 29
Old Morrison lawn
Speaker: Retiring President Charles L. Shearer

Union College
Saturday, May 8, 10:30 AM
Robison Arena
Speaker: The Honorable John D. Minton Jr., chief justice of the Supreme Court of Kentucky

Each Friday (almost) on AIKCU.org we feature a new graphic that highlights an important aspect of independent higher education in Kentucky.

The College Board released its annual Trends in College Pricing report this week. You can read about it on the College Board’s site or in any of the multiple news outlets that covered the annual report - including the New York Times, Inside Higher Ed, The Chronicle of Higher Education, and many others.

Tuition continued to rise this year across the country and in all postsecondary sectors, despite the dire economy. In the independent sector, average tuition and fees across the nation rose 4.4% over 2008-09. In Kentucky, the average tuition and fees at AIKCU institutions increased by 4.83%. (These increases are less than in previous years, where increases typically averaged around 6%. It is also important to note that few students pay this published “sticker price” after factoring in financial aid.)

As this Graph of the Week shows, Kentucky’s average published tuitions and fees remain low in comparison to other private colleges in the South and in the nation. As they have been historically, AIKCU average tuitions remain significantly lower than the Southern and national averages.

Download Average Published Tuition and Fees at Four-Year, Nonprofit Private Colleges, 2009-10 (PDF)

The Collaborative Initiative to Improve Educational Success in Appalachian Kentucky seeks a Project Director for a part-time, grant-funded position. View the complete position description at http://www.aikcu.org/about/jobs/

By Rachel Crenshaw, CU student news writer

CAMPBELLSVILLE, KY — Room 123 of the newly completed School of Education building was packed from wall to wall as Campbellsville University held a ceremony dedicating the new building Sept. 23.

In an opening prayer at the dedication, Dr. Robert VanEst, associate professor of education, thanked God for allowing “the new facility vision to become a reality.”

Dr. Brenda Priddy, associate professor and dean of the School of Education, said,  “Exactly, 13 months ago, we gathered under a white tent to break ground for the new School of Education building, and here we are, dedicating this beautiful 14,000-square foot facility that consists of 21 offices, a conference room and six classrooms.”

Priddy said at the center of the new building is the “Beulah Campbell Collection Room.” Campbell, who has received national recognition for her interest in children’s literature, has donated many children’s books and children’s illustrations to CU’s School of Education including the entire original illustrations from the children’s book “The Knee Baby” by Mary Jarrell and illustrations by Symeon Shimin.

Campbell, who graduated from Campbellsville College in 1936 and received an honorary doctorate from CU in 2005, has conducted children’s literature conferences, workshops and festivals all over the world.

Priddy said the room demonstrates Campbell’s impressive collection of original art work and illustrations. She said the room would help others to “learn more about Campbell’s life’s work dedicated to preparing teachers and bringing to life for her students the world of children’s literature.”

Also recognized at the dedication was James Achterhof, on behalf of the Richard D. Van Lunen Foundation, for the foundation’s significant lead gift to the School of Education.

Achterhof said it was a pleasure to see the results of the donations given to the building. “As Christians we have a responsibility to teach children,” Achterhof said, “and teachers have the power to influence thousands and thousands of students.”

Ashley Greer, a senior in secondary education of Eubank, Ky., spoke on behalf of the students at the School of Education at the dedication. She said, “The education students now have a place to call our own, and we take pride in this establishment.

“As we dedicate this new building I can’t help but see the great expansion that has now taken place at CU with over 300 students in the education program,” Greer said. “But even though the numbers may increase and the building may change one thing remains — CU empowers outstanding educators.”

Benji Kelly, vice president for development, also recognized many other individuals who played a vital role in the construction of the brand new education building including the mayor of Campbellsville, Brenda Allen, and the county clerk, Mark Carney.

Paul Osborne, chair of the CU Board of Trustees buildings and grounds committee, gave special thanks to the building and grounds committee and said the trustees were excited to celebrate the victory of the building but were also ready to continue on with progress.

Dr. Frank Cheatham, vice president for academic affairs and professor of math and computer science, said the School of Education was a “shining star” at CU with its stellar academic program.

Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of CU, concluded the ceremony just before the ribbon cutting. He said the completion of the new facility was a team effort compiled of those who believe in the future of CU including over 60 donors.

He said the School of Education has incredible faculty and staff and one of the best deans of teacher education.

In the closing prayer by Dr. Joel Carwile, pastor of Valley View Church in Louisville, Ky., he said it was an honor to stand in front of the new building where teachers will become empowered to inspire others and raise up a new generation.

The School of Education consists of 20 programs including P-5, elementary education; 5-9, middle grades education; 8-12, English, math, biology, chemistry and social studies; P-12, art, music, health, physical education and special education; P-12, ESL endorsement; early childhood education; interdisciplinary early childhood education; master of arts in education; master of arts in special education; gifted education endorsement; director of special education and Rank 1 program.

The faculty, with nine doctoral degrees, consists of 15 members at the School of Education.  In addition, the program has a student teacher exit program: a partnership with regional administrators and teachers that include evaluations of students’ professional portfolios, mock employment interviews and a mini job fair.

The program also sponsors P-12 school events including: Excellence in Teaching program, Future Educators of America (FEA) Regional Conference, FEA summer camp, a minority recruitment program called “Pathways to Teaching” and the summer Outdoor Classroom Institute.

For the ‘08-’09 academic year, there were 590 students in the School of Education programs.

The School of Education has a $2.8 million grant with Kentucky Alternative Certification in Special Education and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education has accredited it since 2007.

Teacher education was one of the founding programs of the institute when it was established as Russell Creek Academy in 1906.  By 1917, 350 teachers were trained under the new established. Later the education department began offering several bachelor of science programs in elementary and secondary education after Campbellsville College became a four-year institution in 1957.

In 1973, the school achieved becoming the Professional Studies Division and the School of Education in 1998.  In 2009, an Alpha Epsilon Omicron chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, an international honor society in education, was started.

For more information regarding the dedication contact the School of Education at 270-789-5252.

Boyd R. Buser, D.O., the VP and Dean of the Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine since 2007, will serve as interim president of Pikeville College.

PIKEVILLE, Ky. – The Pikeville College Board of Trustees has announced the appointment of Boyd R. Buser, D.O., as interim president of the college.

“The board of trustees is extremely pleased Dr. Buser accepted this position. We have complete confidence he will do a wonderful job. He has our complete support,” said Terry Dotson, chairman of the college’s board of trustees.

Dotson also said the board will proceed in filling the need permanently and will be available to assist the college family in any way.

Buser has served as vice president and dean of the Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine since 2007.

“I appreciate the confidence the board of trustees has demonstrated in appointing me to this interim position,” said Buser. “I will do my best to help move the college forward as we search for our next president.”

A native of Iowa, Buser received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa. After earning his osteopathic medical degree from the Des Moines (Iowa) University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1981, he went on to complete an osteopathic internship at the former Cranston General Hospital in Cranston, R.I. He is board certified in family practice as well as osteopathic manipulative medicine.

As past-president of the American Academy of Osteopathy, the New England Academy of Osteopathy, the Maine Osteopathic Association (MOA), and former chairman of the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners, Dr. Buser maintains a leadership role within the osteopathic medical profession. A member of the American Osteopathic Association’s (AOA) Board of Trustees since 2004, he serves the AOA in a number of other capacities, including chairman of the Bureau of Emerging States’ Concerns and member of the Bureau of Osteopathic Clinical Education and Research. A fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, in 2007 Buser was elected to the Current Procedural Terminology editorial panel by the Board of Trustees of the American Medical Association. He is the first D.O. to be elected to the panel. He is a member of the Kentucky Institute of Medicine and the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure.

Buser has been active in the osteopathic profession internationally as well. He has taught extensively around the world over the past 15 years. He represented the American osteopathic profession in a number of World Health Organization (WHO) initiatives, including the WHO Congress on Traditional Medicine, held in Beijing, China, in 2008. He is also an officer of the Board of Directors of the Osteopathic International Alliance.

Since earning his D.O. degree, Buser has received many awards for outstanding achievements within the osteopathic medical community. In 1994, the AOA, along with the American Osteopathic Foundation, named him the osteopathic profession’s Educator of the Year. The Maine Osteopathic Association presented him with the Roswell Bates Award in 1994 and the Distinguished Service Award in 1996 and 2007.

AIKCU recently began listing employment opportunities at member institutions here on our site. We’re posting this external opportunity as a courtesy to our friends at the Christian Appalachian Project.

The Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) has recently retained Hanna Resource Group (HRG) to conduct a search for a Chief Executive Officer based in Lexington, Kentucky.  This is a phenomenal opportunity for the right person. Do you know of anyone who would be interested?  Please visit BluegrassWorks.net to learn more information or to apply.

WILMORE, KY—Asbury College is hosting a day of celebration for the Andrew S. Miller Center for Communication Arts groundbreaking on Saturday, June 27.

Schedule of Events:
10 a.m.        Communication Arts Center Celebration in Hughes Auditorium
11 a.m.        Groundbreaking at the Building Site
7:30 p.m.     Communication Arts Showcase – with special guests Dean ’53 & Lory Jones Reception immediately following in the Student Center
10 p.m.        Best of the Highbridge Film Festival in the Student Center

Today more than 300 students are majoring in journalism, communications, media communication, and theatre and cinema performance. The school also offers minors in leadership, public relations, and theatre and cinema performance. Asbury College is constructing a state-of-the-art to match the caliber of students we are attracting through these rapidly growing programs.

The groundbreaking will also kick off the public phase of the Building Windows of Opportunity Campaign. Former Disney actor Dean Jones ’53 and his wife, Lory, are serving as honorary campaign co-chairs.

The new facility will be named in honor of Asbury College Alumnus, former Board of Trustees member and retired Salvation Army Commissioner, Andrew S. Miller, known as a model communicator and servant to God and man.

Learn more at www.asbury.edu.