Dean’s Weekly Newsletter 4-17-2026

Published April 17, 2026

Dear Colleagues,

 

I have been especially aware lately of how much our students shape the life of this campus. Our recent Research Forum success offered one strong example of their hard work and potential. I have also appreciated the quieter moments: a student stopping by, a quick conversation in the hallway or on Prexy’s, a glimpse of the many ways they are learning and growing. It is exciting to see, and it speaks to the work faculty and staff are doing every day to help students develop into capable professionals.

 

April and May are busy in the Dean’s Office, but they are also exciting months. So much of what we have been building all year starts to come into focus. I want us to keep doing this work better by strengthening research and learning, opening more doors for students, growing our capacity, and continue building partnerships across Wyoming. I am grateful for your work and committed to supporting faculty and staff as fully as I can.

 

With this in mind, here is a list of updates from the week that I would like to share:

 

  1. WASA Spring Conference 
  2. SkillsUSA Wyoming Championships
  3. Wyoming FFA Convention
  4. Peer Mentoring Program Update
  5. WyoEd Undergraduate Research Program Launches Mentor Recruitment
  6. CTE and Ag Ed Recruitment Momentum
  7. Remembering Mina Bayne, former College of Education faculty member and associate dean
  8. UW Ag Ed Students Support Wyoming FFA Convention
  9. 2026 College of Education Awards

 

WASA Spring Conference and UW Casper 50th Anniversary: Yesterday, I traveled to Casper to attend the Wyoming Association of School Administrators Spring Conference, where I shared updates about the College of Education during a roundtable discussion. Mia Williams also represented the College, presenting her work on AI and teacher education. Leslie Rush, a member of WASA, was also in attendance.

In the evening, I attended the Awards and Recognition Banquet. During the banquet, I had the honor of announcing that the Myron Basom Memorial Superintendent Excellence Fund has been reimagined within the College of Education to further support the Myron Basom Leadership Award. This award now includes a $1,500 monetary award for the recipient. This year’s recipient is Superintendent Alex Ayers from CCSD #1, who was also named the 2027 Superintendent of the Year. Congratulations to Dr. Ayers.

 

SkillsUSA Wyoming Championships: Rob Hill and Lucas Dow, Professors of Practice in Career and Technical Education, attended the SkillsUSA Wyoming State Leadership and Skills Conference this week. The event brought together students, advisors, and industry partners from across the state and highlighted student achievement through a range of technical and leadership competitions. It was a pivotal event in Wyoming Career and Technical Education.

 

Wyoming FFA Convention: The College of Education Agricultural Education program was well represented at the Wyoming FFA Convention throughout the week supporting contests, officer selection interviews, awards ceremonies, and other convention operations. Laurel Rozema and Lane Jay helped manage the Junior High Ag Mechanics contest, and Amy Peldo, a recently retired Wyoming State FFA Officer, plans to join UW as an Ag Ed student this fall. Two other incoming UW students, Wyatt Strain and Louden Bremer, were presented with Ag Ed scholarships. What a great convention!

 

Peer Mentoring Program Update: College of Education peer mentors and mentees continue to meet throughout the semester to spend time together, explore campus and Laramie, and strengthen supportive relationships. One mentor, Josie Thomason, shared that she hopes to continue meeting with her co-mentor and mentees over Zoom next semester and find other ways to stay in touch. It is encouraging to see the program creating opportunities for students to stay connected, including when they are away from campus or participating remotely. The group plans to meet next week for breakfast check-ins to discuss how the program is going and put together a plan for the remainder of the semester.

 

 WyoEd Undergraduate Research Program Launches Mentor Recruitment: Following the success of the College’s inaugural Research Forum, Joe Schroer, Associate Lecturer in the School of Teacher Education, is now recruiting faculty mentors and project

submissions for the 2026-27 academic year. The pilot programwillsupport up to 10 undergraduate students in year-long mentored research experiences, with students contributing 2 to 5 hours per week and presenting their work at next year’s Research Forum. Faculty interested in participating are invited to submit project by June 1. Here is the link to submit: https://uwyo.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8uMzOTaEqlQqOXQ

More information about what kinds of projects are invited can be found here: https://shorturl.at/r4zqG

 

CTE and Ag Ed Recruitment Update: Recent outreach by our CTE and Ag Ed faculty at the ACTE Region V conference generated several promising connections for the College’s Career and Technical Education and Agricultural Education programs. Follow-up conversations are now underway with institutions and partners in Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, South Dakota, Arizona, and Montana, with opportunities ranging from student recruitment and campus visits to conference visibility. The update also highlighted a teacher internship model in Cherry Creek, Colorado, that may offer useful ideas as UW continues exploring ways to strengthen educator preparation pathways.

 

Remembering Mina Bayne, former College of Education faculty member and Associate Dean: We were saddened to recently learn of the passing of Mina A. Bayne. She held a long career in education, including service as a teacher, University Prep leader, full professor, and associate dean at UW. We extend our condolences to all who knew her and were shaped by her work. Here is the link to her obituary: https://www.montgomerystryker.com/mina-a-bayne/

 

UW Ag Ed Students Support Wyoming FFA Convention: Agricultural education students from the University of Wyoming recently helped lead the middle school agricultural mechanics competition at the 2026 Wyoming FFA Convention. During the event, UW students guided participants through a written test, shop tool identification, a measurement quiz, and a team activity. Nice work, and thanks to Lane Jay (a student in Ag Ed and center in the photo below) for sharing this update!

 

2026 College of Education Awards: We are pleased to recognize this year’s internal award recipients, including faculty, staff, and students whose work has contributed to teaching, research, advising, leadership, and service across the College.

 

  • Faculty Award for Outstanding Teaching: Barbara Hickman, Associate Professor of Educational Leadership ($750)
  • Faculty Award for Outstanding Research and Scholarship: Miriam Sanders, Assistant Professor of Secondary Math Education ($750)
  • Faculty / Staff Award for Service to the Educational Profession: Alison Mercier, Assistant Professor of Elementary Science Education ($750)
  • Award for Outstanding Advising: Jessie Marcolini, SMTC Director; Julianna Worden, CoESSC Academic Advising Professional ($750 each)
  • Staff Award for Outstanding Service to the College: Charlie Yarchin, CoESSC Office Associate ($750)
  • Award for Outstanding Contributions Toward Improving the Climate of the College: Levi Moore, CoESSC Academic Advising Manager ($750)
  • Outstanding Graduate Student Award for Significant Accomplishments: Melena Osborne, EdD in Mathematics Education ($750)
  • Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award for Significant Accomplishments: Darwin St. Clair III, BA in Secondary Math Education ($750)
  • John P. “Jack” Ellbogen Dean’s Fund Undergraduate Student Leadership Award: Shelby Williams, BA in Secondary Math Education; Joseph Kennah, BS in Agricultural Education, concentration Animal and Veterinary Science; Laynee Walker, BA in Elementary Education ($500 each)
  • Patricia McClurg Education Faculty Fellowship: Jihyun Lee, Associate Professor of Special Education ($7,000)

 

Congratulations to this year’s recipients! We will recognize them and other awardees across the College at the final College of Education meeting on May 4 in the Student Union Family Room.

Thank you for all you are doing during this busy stretch of the semester. I am grateful for the many ways faculty and staff continue to support our students, advance the work of the College, and represent UW across Wyoming and beyond. I hope you have a restful and productive end to the week.

 

Jenna