Dean's Weekly Newsletter 11-7-2025

Published November 07, 2025

Dear Colleagues,

This week, I think about the values that shape education in Wyoming, especially hard work and grit. These are qualities we see every day in our students, in the ways they show up, persist, and make thoughtful contributions to their programs and future professions. I was reminded of this during a recent meeting with our Student Ambassadors. Their ideas were creative and forward-thinking, and their enthusiasm for representing the College was palpable. Their commitment reflects the continued strength and promise of our College of Education. As we look toward the weeks ahead, I hope we continue to celebrate and support this hard, thoughtful work that is so essential to who we are and what we aspire to accomplish together.

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

  1. Teach Wyoming Day
  2. Recruitment and Outreach Visits
  3. First-Generation Student Celebration
  4. Trustees Education Initiative Updates
  5. Tipi Talks on Prexy’s Pasture
  6. Posthumous Degree Presentation Honoring Jeri Jespersen-Gibson
  7. William Cain Keynotes UW Extension Annual Conference
  8. AI and Higher Education Presentation by Simon Cullen
  9. Gratitude in Action Campaign
  10. Rebka-Hafele-Einstein Distinguished Lecture (Today at 4:10 PM)
  11. Faculty International Research Funding Opportunity
  12. John P. “Jack” Ellbogen Student Teaching Support Award Reminder


Teach Wyoming Day: Over fifty Wyoming high school students interested in exploring careers in education will visit campus for Teach Wyoming Day today and tomorrow (November 7 and 8) The event is a collaboration between the College of Education, the Wyoming School-University Partnership, and the UW Office of Admissions. Visiting students will stay in the UW residence halls, meet faculty and staff, and participate in hands-on learning sessions focused on educational career pathways. In addition to workshops and tours of learning spaces across campus, students will join UW’s Showcase Saturday, where they will learn about academic programs, student organizations, and the admissions process. This is a wonderful opportunity to welcome future educators and introduce them to the role of teaching in Wyoming’s schools.


Recruitment and Outreach Visits: Jody Mitchell has been actively engaging with students across Wyoming and northern Colorado to share information about careers in teaching and the College of Education’s preparation pathways. Recent visits included Laramie High School, Southeast High School, Torrington High School, Lingle-Fort Laramie, and Timnath Jr./Sr. High School in Colorado. Jody also presented at the FCCLA Fall Conference in Casper on preparing for career fairs and exploring education majors. This week, she will attend the Rawlins High School Career Fair, welcoming students from Encampment, Saratoga, Baggs, Hanna/Elk Mountain, and Medicine Bow. Her recruitment efforts are valuable and appreciated. 

First-Generation Student Celebration: The College of Education Student Success Center participated in the National First-Generation College Student Celebration by hosting a stop in a campus-wide scavenger hunt. First-generation students visited the center to connect with staff, pick up College of Education swag, and enter a prize drawing. The event provided a welcoming way to celebrate first-generation students and highlight the support resources available within the College. Thank you to the Student Success Center team for organizing this activity.

 

Trustees Education Initiative Updates: The Trustees Education Initiative continues to support project-based learning across several rural Wyoming schools. Partner schools included Meeteetse, Tensleep, Shoshoni, Burlington, Rocky Mountain, and Rock River, and they are implementing project-based and community-engaged learning models following site visits to high-quality programs nationwide. Tensleep recently hosted a PBL Summit in which students identified needs in their communities and presented solution proposals to local leaders, with selected projects receiving small start-up grants. The Wyoming Teacher Mentor Corps also completed its Fall Retreat, where thirty Cohort 3 members were recognized as College of Education Mentor Fellows and shared their Teacher Action Research Projects. The 307 PLA was represented at the Wyoming Leadership Conference in Casper November 2–4, where fourteen school leaders, including Margaret Hudson, were recognized for their mentorship of new and aspiring principals.

 

Tipi Talks on Prexy’s Pasture: Earlier this week, the University of Wyoming celebrated Native American Heritage Month with a three-day series of Tipi Talks on Prexy’s Pasture. Centered around a large tipi, the event included workshops, lectures, traditional dance, food, and opportunities to learn from speakers and community members connected to the Wind River Reservation. This was a meaningful opportunity for UW students to learn about the history, strength, and living traditions of Wyoming’s Native American communities. For students in the College of Education, especially those preparing to teach in Wyoming schools, events like this help build understanding and respect for the communities they may work with in the future, and encourage educators to carry this understanding into classrooms throughout the state.

 

Posthumous Degree Presentation Honoring Jeri Jespersen-Gibson: Earlier this week, the College of Education held a posthumous degree presentation honoring Jeri Jespersen-Gibson, a dedicated educator and graduate student in the Master of Arts in Education program with a concentration in Special Education. It was a privilege to welcome and spend time with Jeri’s family, who spoke with warmth about her life and work. The ceremony was moving and served as a reminder of the care, commitment, and impact educators bring to their students and communities. We are grateful to everyone, especially Provost Alexander, Vice Provost Hilaire, Dean Pepper, and Principal Bahige, for their presence and support.

 

William Cain Keynotes UW Extension Annual Conference: William Cain, Associate Professor in Learning, Design, and Technology, delivered the keynote address at the UW Extension Annual Conference November 5 in Laramie. His talk, AI in the Wyoming Context: Awareness, Ethics, and Practical Integration, explored how artificial intelligence can be applied responsibly across Wyoming’s educational, business, and community settings. The session drew more than 350 participants and included a discussion with David Keto, Communications and Technology Manager for UW Extension, highlighting practical strategies for integrating AI into outreach and service work across the state.

 

AI and Higher Education Presentation by Simon Cullen: Last week, Dr. Simon Cullen delivered a presentation examining the role of artificial intelligence in higher education, the value students derive from a university experience, and approaches for supporting open classroom conversations. I had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Cullen during his visit, and we discussed ways AI might be used to enhance learning and support instructional practice across the College of Education. The recording is available here:
https://uwyo.video.yuja.com/V/Video?v=14409024&a=40771092

 

Gratitude in Action Campaign: The Counseling program invites students, faculty, staff, and alumni to participate in the Gratitude in Action campaign by sharing brief 15–30 second video messages expressing appreciation for meaningful people, experiences, or moments in their College of Education journey. Videos will be shared on College of Education social media accounts. Please email Brittney Phillips at bphill22@uwyo.edu to learn more about submitting your video. 

 

Rebka-Hafele-Einstein Distinguished Lecture (Today at 4:10 PM): President Edward Seidel will deliver the Rebka-Hafele-Einstein Distinguished Lecture today, November 7, at 4:10 PM in CR 133. A buffet reception will follow the lecture. All members of the campus community are welcome to attend.

 

Faculty International Research Funding Opportunity: The Center for Global Studies is accepting applications for international research funding of up to $5,000 per project. The internal submission deadline is December 1. More information can be found here:

https://uwyo.infoready4.com/#freeformCompetitionDetail/1999040

 

John P. “Jack” Ellbogen Dean's Student Teaching Support Award Reminder: Nominations for the John P. "Jackk" Ellbogen Dean's Student Teaching Support Award are due November 28. Faculty may submit nominations by sending a one- to two-page rationale to ed.dean@uwyo.edu.

 

Thank you for all that you continue to do for our students and for one another. Your care, patience, and thoughtful work make a real difference every day. As the weather continues to turn, I hope you find time for rest, connection, and a moment of fresh air. Please remember to bundle up, and I wish you a safe and comfortable weekend.

 

Jenna