Dean's Weekly Newsletter 3-6-2026

Published March 06, 2026

Dear Colleagues,

 

I hope everyone is enjoying the warmer weather, while things are expected to cool down again. As we monitor the conclusion of Wyoming’s biennial budget session, we have several updates and reminders for faculty, staff, and students, including upcoming events, professional learning opportunities, and student-facing calls for participation:

 

  1. Today: Dean's Distinguished Speaker and Faculty Meet-and-Greet
  2. College of Education March Meeting
  3. WSUP Newsletter
  4. Staff Departure
  5. College of Education Awards Reminder
  6. College of Education Doctoral Student Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition
  7. American Indian Education for All Visit to Wind River Reservation
  8. ECTL Workshop Reminders
  9. Timber, Tools, and Trusses Workshop Opportunity
  10. Education Research Forum

 

Today: Dean's Distinguished Speaker and Faculty Meet-and-Greet: A final reminder that Dr. Jody Britten will present the next round of the John P. “Jack” Ellbogen Dean’s Distinguished Speaker Series today, March 6, from 11:00 AM–12:00 PM in the Union Family Room (2nd Floor). Her talk, “Beyond the Buzz: Generative AI as a Partner in Education and Instructional Practice,” will explore practical and strategic uses of generative AI in educational settings. Limited light lunches are provided. Afterwards, faculty are also invited to a meet-and-greet with Dr. Britten from 1:30 PM-2:30 PM in ED 117.

 

College of Education March Meeting: This week, we held the College of Education March Meeting, including an update on the new Center for Early Learning presented by Nikki Baldwin, Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Education, Lauren Carlisle, Wyoming Early Childhood Professional Learning Collaborative Senior Program Coordinator, and Amy Encinger, Assistant Professor in Early Childhood Education. We also received an update on a reorganization in the University’s Research and Economic Development Division resulting in COMPASS (Compliance, Proposals, Agreements, & Strategic Services). Special thanks to both of these groups for presenting on their important work.  Many thanks to Farell Rapp and her team!

WSUP Newsletter: The February edition of the Wyoming School-University Partnership's February Newsletter is available. Learn more about the WSUP's news and activities, such as a recent Lunch and Learn with Sheridan County #2's Superintendent, Scott Stults, by following this link: https://conta.cc/3OzgD7F

 

Staff Departure: Also featured in the WSUP Newsletter is the announcement that Nicholas Jesse, WSUP Senior Project Coordinator, will be departing to join the College of Business as the Manager of Career Services. During his time with WSUP, Nicholas played an important role in supporting a range of initiatives and projects that contributed to the partnership. His coordination, professionalism, and collaborative approach were greatly appreciated by colleagues and partners alike.

We are grateful for Nicholas’s service and the many contributions he made to the team. While he will certainly be missed within WSUP and the College, we are pleased that he will continue to serve the University of Wyoming in his new role. Please join me in thanking Nicholas for his work and in wishing him continued success in the College of Business.

 

College of Education Awards Reminder: Several College of Education award deadlines are approaching on March 31, including the 2026 College of Education Faculty, Staff, and Student Awards (8 awards of $750; nominations due March 31), the Patricia McClurg Faculty Fellowship (Associate Professor; 1 award of $7,000; proposals due March 31), and the Ellbogen Dean’s Fund Student Leadership Award (undergraduate students; 2 awards of $500; nominations due March 31). The Ellbogen Dean’s Fund Graduate Travel Award (Spring 2026; 4 awards of $500) is accepted on a rolling basis until awarded. Please click on the award titles to learn more about how to apply or submit a nomination.

 

Doctoral Student Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition: The School of Graduate Education and the College of Education invite PhD and EdD students to compete in the College of Education Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition on April 2 at 2:00 PM in Education Annex 229. Present your dissertation research in three minutes using one slide, connect with faculty and researchers, and compete for cash prizes. Please register by March 13, 2026, using https://uwyo.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_09EI8hsN6YyX674. Online students may participate via Zoom, and College-level finalists may be eligible to advance to the University-wide competition in September.

 

American Indian Education for All Visit to Wind River Reservation: We will host a language and cultural immersion visit to the Wind River Reservation on April 10, 2026, in collaboration with Ms. St. Clair and Dr. White Eagle. The group will depart the UW campus at 5:45 AM, arrive by approximately 9:15 AM, depart the Reservation by 4:00 PM, and return to UW by or before 7:30 PM. Between 8 and 10 spaces are available, and participants will be selected by the College leadership team. Letters of interest are due today, March 6, by noon to Alex Rickert (arickert@uwyo.edu), describing how the experience will enhance your teaching and/or research in the College of Education. Please consider applying.

 

ECTL Teaching Workshops Reminder: The Ellbogen Center for Teaching and Learning (ECTL) offers ongoing workshops and consultations for faculty and staff seeking professional development focused on teaching. I encourage instructors to review upcoming sessions and register early as offerings vary across the semester. Details and registration are available here: https://airtable.com/app1ilDuTYr5opDFG/shrpzYmLYHXdCZEH4.

 

Timber, Tools, and Trusses Workshop Opportunity: A reminder that the 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 from across the state and will include practical skill-building in timber framing, strategies for classroom application, opportunities to collaborate with fellow educators, and a tour of a working sawmill.
We are especially grateful to Neiman Sawmill for generously allowing us to use their facilities and for supporting this unique learning opportunity for Wyoming educators. 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

 

Education Research Forum Poster Proposals: We invite undergraduate and graduate students to submit poster proposals for the inaugural College of Education Research Forum on Friday, April 3, from 4:30–6:00 PM in the Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center Ballroom. Students are welcome to present research projects, literature reviews, pilot studies, action research, or significant course-based inquiry, and poster printing will be covered by the Dean’s Office. Proposals are due Monday, March 30 (midnight), and can be submitted here: https://tinyurl.com/EdResearchForum26. Academic poster development workshops will be offered during the final week of March, and all are welcome to attend the forum, even if not presenting.

Looking ahead, there are more events, student engagement activities, and recognitions of excellence to come until we reach graduation. I look forward to checking back in next week, before spring break, to report on the College of Education's impactful activities.  

 

With appreciation,
Jenna