College of Education

Office of the Dean

Strategic Priorities of the Dean, College of Education

As Wyoming’s only four-year institution dedicated to educator and counselor preparation, the University of Wyoming College of Education is central to shaping the state’s future. The Dean’s vision and priorities address Wyoming’s most urgent educational needs by strengthening the educator and counselor pipeline, advancing faculty excellence, expanding access through flexible programs, and deepening statewide partnerships. At the core is a commitment to student success, preparing well-supported graduates to teach and lead across Wyoming and beyond.

The following priorities are all important and are not listed in any particular order of significance.

Strengthening the Educator and Counselor Pipeline

Why: Wyoming faces a critical shortage of educators and counselors, especially in rural and high-need areas.

Strengthen seamless pathways to licensure through articulation and advising.
Expand access for place-bound residents via flexible, online, and community-based options.
Develop short-term certificates and endorsements in high-need areas, including in secondary education
Elevate the visibility and value of education and counseling careers
Prioritize targeted recruitment, especially in growth areas.

Enhancing Student Success and Support Services

Why: At the heart of it all, we are doing this work for our students, their growth, their success, and their futures. Students are the reason we do what we do.

Prioritize responsive advising and proactive student support systems.
Design flexible course offerings, field placements, and academic pathways that accommodate diverse student needs.
Regularly review degree plans and communication strategies to promote persistence and timely completion.
Seek funding for scholarships and awards that ease financial burdens and recognize student achievement.

Promote Faculty Excellence with a Focus on Rural Impact

Why: Faculty are essential to our mission. Supporting their growth strengthens our programs, expands our research, and deepens our service to communities across the state and beyond.

Increase efforts in securing funding for research that addresses Wyoming-specific challenges and contributes to the broader educational field.
Explore recognition structures aligned with community and statewide impact.
Support faculty through mentorship, collaboration, professional growth, and sustainable workloads tied to external funding opportunities.

Strengthening K–12 and Community Partnerships

Why: The College must serve as a proactive and accessible partner for Wyoming’s schools and community colleges, ensuring that our work is deeply connected to the needs of the field.

Invest in regional outreach and engagement throughout the state.
Provide high-quality professional development in critical areas
Support small grant programs that promote innovation and collaboration between faculty and K–12 educators and community colleges.

Promoting the College’s Identity and Advocacy

Why: Effectively communicating the College’s impact is essential for sustaining public support, legislative advocacy, and future philanthropic investments.

Invest in public-facing marketing that showcases the College’s contributions to student success, rural engagement, and workforce development.
Develop concise, data-informed advocacy materials for use with legislators, donors, and policymakers.

Targeted Program Investment

Why: Wyoming schools face urgent shortages in key teaching and leadership positions and these targeted areas directly respond to the most urgent workforce shortages in Wyoming schools.

Prioritize high-need programs in:
- Agricultural Education
- Career and Technical Education (CTE)
- Educational Leadership
- Literacy Education
- Special Education

If you would like to stay informed about our progress, I share updates in a weekly newsletter.

Sincerely,