Dean's Weekly Newsletter 2-20-2026

Dear Colleagues,

 

As the Wyoming Legislature continues the 2026 Budget Session, the College of Education continues impactful work for student success, statewide outreach, and Wyoming's economic prosperity. 

 

Here are some updates from this week:

1. John Kambutu Highlighted in Provost’s Weekly Message
2. College of Education Research Forum Showcasing Our Undergraduate Students (April 3)
3. CTE Faculty Recognized During CTE Month
4. Timber, Tools, and Trusses Workshop Opportunity
5. Employment Opportunities: Torrington Middle School (Goshen County School District #1)
6. Call for Nominations: John P. “Jack” Ellbogen Dean’s Fund Student Leadership Award
7. Lorraine Males Recommended for Appointment as Full Professor with Tenure: Wyoming Excellence Chair in Mathematics Education
8. Strategic Plan Meetings Underway
9. Call for Expressions of Interest: Wind River Reservation Day Trip
10. College of Education Distinguished Speaker Series: Jody Britten (March 6)
11. Upcoming Candidate Visits

 

John Kambutu Highlighted in Provost’s Weekly Message: John Kambutu, Professor and Director of the School of Teacher Education, was recognized in this week’s Message from the Provost for his national service on the Fulbright U.S. Student Program National Screening Committee. On behalf of the U.S. Department of State and the Institute of International Education, John participated in review in selecting candidates for the 2026-2027 Fulbright cycle. Thank you, John, for elevating our College with your excellent service at the national level.

 

College of Education Research Forum Showcasing Our Undergraduate Students: On April 3 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., the College of Education will host the inaugural College of Education Research Forum in the Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center Ballroom. This event is designed to showcase and celebrate the outstanding work of our undergraduate students. However, the evening will also provide an opportunity for students, faculty, educators, and community partners to connect and engage around the important work taking place throughout our programs, highlighting research, teaching, and applied practice across the College.

Additional details, including the call for presenters, will be shared soon. Many thanks to Joe Schroer, Associate Lecturer in the School of Teacher Education, for his leadership in bringing this event to life.

 

CTE Faculty Recognized During CTE Month: Governor Gordon issued a proclamation declaring February as Career and Technical Education Month, and the Wyoming State Board of Education devoted part of its February meeting to highlighting outstanding CTE programs across the state. This recognition included praise for the leadership of Rob Hill, as well as Lucas Dow, for their extensive recruitment of prospective CTE students and their strong collaborations with Wyoming community colleges and school districts to expand CTE teacher preparation pathways. Student interest in the College of Education’s CTE programs has grown significantly in recent years, and state leaders have expressed strong enthusiasm for the continued momentum of this work. Below is a picture of Rob speaking at the Governor's Proclamation event earlier this week:

Timber, Tools, and Trusses Workshop Opportunity: The University of Wyoming College of Education will host Timber, Tools, and Trusses: Authentic Timber Framing for CTE Classrooms on March 12-14 in Hulett, Wyoming. This hands-on professional learning experience is designed for secondary CTE educators and includes skill-building in timber framing, classroom application strategies, collaboration with fellow educators, and a tour of a working sawmill. Free meals and lodging are provided, and UW credit is available. Please see the attached flyer. This event is a wonderful example of industry partnership in action. Please share this link with a CTE teacher near you:
https://tinyurl.com/yzrv9ce8

 

Employment Opportunities: Torrington Middle School in Goshen County School District #1 is currently hiring for two positions: English Teacher (Grades 6–8) and Special Education Teacher. The district offers a four-day work week, a starting salary of $56,856 (third highest in Wyoming), and paid coaching and extracurricular opportunities. Students preparing to enter the workforce, particularly those interested in middle school settings, are encouraged to explore these openings. Additional details and application information are available at: https://goshen.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx

 

Call for Nominations: John P. “Jack” Ellbogen Dean’s Fund Student Leadership Award: The College of Education is now accepting nominations for the John P. “Jack” Ellbogen Dean’s Fund Student Leadership Award. Faculty and staff are encouraged to nominate students who demonstrate strong leadership qualities and meaningful contributions to the College and broader community. Nomination materials must be submitted to Jake Orr (jorr2@uwyo.edu) in the Associate Dean’s Office by 5:00 PM on March 31, 2026. Learn more and access the call for nominations at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19eRTrvf53s5FpOVqzV5POPofQ2iZKOFY/view

 

Lorraine Males Recommended for Appointment as Full Professor with Tenure: Wyoming Excellence Chair in Mathematics Education: Lorraine Males was selected as the finalist for the Wyoming Excellence Chair in Mathematics Education, and extending her the offer triggered an expedited review to hire her with tenure at the rank of full professor or associate professor. Votes on her case were cast by tenured School of Teacher Education faculty, the School Director, and the College Reappointment, Tenure, and Promotion Committee. Based on the overwhelming support from all levels of review to hire her with tenure at the rank of full professor, I am pleased to have submitted my final recommendation to the Office of Faculty Affairs to hire Lorraine Males with tenure at the rank of full professor. Thank you to everyone who voted for responding in a timely manner and for making this expedited review possible. 

 

Strategic Plan Meetings Underway: The "Mission/Vision Penultimate Draft" sessions of the College of Education Strategic Plan meetings, led by Associate Deans Pete Moran and Alan Buss, are now underway. The first Group A meeting was held on Tuesday, February 17, and the Group B meeting will be held today, February 20, at 12 PM in EA 229. All faculty and staff are invited to participate and help shape the next draft of the College’s strategic plan.

 

Call for Expressions of Interest: Wind River Reservation Day Trip: The College of Education invites faculty and staff to submit expressions of interest for a day trip to the Wind River Reservation on April 10, hosted by Ms. St. Claire and Dr. White Eagle, who visited the College last semester. Additional details are available in the attached call document. Letters of interest (approximately one page) should be submitted to ed.dean@uwyo.edu by noon on March 6, 2026.

 

Distinguished Speaker Series: Jody Britten: The College of Education Special Education Program Faculty, in partnership with the Office of the Dean, will host Jody Britten on Friday, March 6, as part of the John P. “Jack” Ellbogen Dean’s Distinguished Speaker Series. Her keynote, “Beyond the Buzz: Generative AI as a Partner in Special Education and Instructional Practice,” will explore practical and strategic uses of generative AI in educational settings. More details about her presentation will be shared soon.

 

Upcoming Candidate Visits: 

February 24: Wyoming Excellence Chair in Special Education, John Wheeler
February 25: Assistant Professor in Counseling, Regin Dean
February 27: Assistant Professor in Higher Education Administration, Julia Davis
March 3: Assistant Professor in Counseling, Amanda Tracy
March 5: Assistant Professor in Counseling, Zachary McInerney

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There is great work happening across the College, on campus and throughout Wyoming, and the momentum continues to build. As the legislative session progresses and our spring initiatives move forward, I appreciate the focus and energy each of you brings to this work.

 

If you have updates or accomplishments to share, I am always excited and proud to share them. I wish everyone a good weekend and look forward to connecting again next week. Go Pokes!

 

Jenna