Dean's Weekly Newsletter 10-24-26

October 24, 2025

Dear Colleagues,

It has been another busy week in the College of Education. Across schools and programs, our faculty and students continue to advance the mission of the College through innovative teaching, outreach, and collaboration. From field experiences and statewide conferences to strategic planning and Giving Day efforts, this week’s updates reflect the dedication and creativity that define our community.

Below is a summary of the stories featured in this week’s newsletter:

• UW Giving Day 2025
• Learning in the Outdoors
• Dean’s Open Forum
• Educational Leadership Faculty Present at National Forum
• In Memory of Jennifer Lebsack
• Upcoming Presentations and Projects from Learning, Design, and Technology (LDT)
• Wyoming Early Childhood Collaborative at State Conference
• Associate Deans’ Strategic Planning Meetings
• John P. “Jack” Ellbogen Dean's Student Teaching Support Award
  
  

UW Giving Day 2025: Giving Day is underway! You can now visit the College of Education’s Giving Day campaign to see our progress, view fund stats, and make your own contribution to support our students and programs. Even a $1 gift helps, especially as we work to raise our number of individual donors. Every unique contribution moves us closer to unlocking matching funds and expanding opportunities for students and programs across the College.

Give here: https://give.uwyo.edu/schools/UniversityofWyoming/giving-day-2025/pages/education

Learning in the Outdoors: Emil Eidin, Assistant Professor of Secondary Science Education in the School of Teacher Education, recently led his secondary science class on a field trip to Vedauwoo to explore models for outdoor learning. Students measured water turbidity, collected soil samples, and used thermometers to study how temperature influences the growth patterns of lichen on rocks. It looks like they enjoyed their sunny trip!

 

Dean’s Open Forum: Twenty-four faculty and staff from across the College of Education attended the recent Dean’s Open Forum. The conversation reflected strong engagement and conversations about the College’s direction. Discussion topics included the Education Building, fundraising and program priorities, shared governance, and fostering a culture of safety and gratitude. I appreciate the opportunity to talk openly with faculty and staff about the College. The next session with Courtney McKim, CLAD School Director, will take place next Monday in ED 117 at noon. As always, I encourage faculty and staff to reach out, stop by my office, or say hello when we see each other around campus.

Educational Leadership Faculty Present at National Forum: On October 13, Educational Leadership faculty members Barbara Hickman and Margaret Hudson were joined by Colby Gull, and Beth Lougee, Wyoming Department of Education Consultant, in Salt Lake City at the National Forum to Advance Rural Education. The group presented on their work with the 307PLA, Wyoming’s statewide principal leadership academy. Their presentation, Elevating Collaboration: A Statewide Approach to Rural Principal Professional Learning, highlighted the program’s accomplishments, challenges, and future directions, aligning with State Superintendent Degenfelder’s goal of teacher and leader recruitment and retention.

 

In Memory of Jennifer Lebsack: It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of our former Executive Business Manager, Jennifer Lebsack. Jennifer was a dedicated member of the College of Education community whose contributions and commitment left a lasting impact. On behalf of the College, we are sending a sympathy card to Jennifer’s family to express our condolences and support. Please join us in keeping her loved ones in your thoughts.

 

Upcoming Presentations and Projects from Learning, Design, and Technology (LDT): William Cain, Associate Professor in LDT, will present on artificial intelligence at the upcoming UW All Extension Conference on November 5 and will be featured as the primary guest on an upcoming episode of the College of Education Podcast. His AI work is highly relevant, and I look forward to his upcoming work and collaboration within and beyond the College.

Wyoming Early Childhood Collaborative at State Conference: The Wyoming Early Childhood Professional Learning Collaborative was a major contributor to the Wyoming State Early Childhood Conference held in Riverton on October 10–11. In addition to presenting multiple sessions, the team created a hands-on Play Lab in the exhibit area where participants explored high-quality play materials and learned strategies from Learning Specialists to enhance children’s learning. At the conclusion of the conference, Play Lab materials were awarded to participants to take home and immediately implement in their classrooms.

 

Associate Deans’ Strategic Planning Meetings: The recent Associate Deans’ College Strategic Planning "A" Meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday drew strong turnouts and generated passionate discussions about the College’s strategic priorities. To start the conversation, the associate deans shared a previous strategic plan as an example, as well as my own Vision and Priorities, the UW Strategic Plan, and the Land-Grant Mission as a framework for planning the next direction of the College of Education. Attached are the updated Dean’s Vision and Priorities document and the revised Alignment Table showing connections between the Dean’s priorities, the University Strategic Plan, and the Land-Grant Mission. 

John P. “Jack” Ellbogen Dean's Student Teaching Support Award: Last, I am pleased to invite nominations for the John P. “Jack” Ellbogen Dean's Student Teaching Support Award, which recognizes outstanding students who will be completing their student teaching during the spring semester.

I am seeking up to ten nominations, with each selected student receiving a $2,500 award. Eligible nominees must be Wyoming residents who intend to teach in Wyoming following graduation.

This award honors the legacy of John P. “Jack” Ellbogen and acknowledges the financial challenges students often face during their student teaching semester. It is designed to provide meaningful support to exceptional future educators as they take this important step toward entering the profession.

Each nomination should include a one to two-page, double-spaced rationale describing the nominee’s qualifications, commitment to teaching, and potential to make a lasting impact in Wyoming’s schools and communities.

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As Giving Day continues, please remember that every contribution, no matter the size, makes a meaningful difference in supporting our students, advancing our work, and strengthening the future of education in Wyoming. Thank you for all that you do, and I wish everyone a wonderful weekend!

Jenna