Dean's Weekly Newsletter 8-29-2025

Published August 29, 2025

Dear Colleagues,

Welcome back to campus! Each fall semester feels like turning over a new leaf; with new experience and knowledge, we build upon what came before us. As we step into a new academic year, I want to encourage each of you to bring your best selves to the work ahead. The College of Education has been buzzing with activity all summer long, and our faculty, staff, and students continue to demonstrate leadership and excellence across Wyoming and beyond. Below are highlights of recent accomplishments, important updates, and time-sensitive announcements to keep in mind as we launch into the fall semester together.

Summer Highlights
Our colleagues have been actively engaged throughout the summer, continuing to lead and support critical work across the state. Here are some highlights:
 
  • Law and Leadership Conference 2025: In partnership with the Wyoming School Boards Association and the UW College of Law, the College co-hosted the 2025 Law and Leadership Conference at the Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center. More than 130 school board members, superintendents, and district leaders participated in two days of professional development focused on legal updates, leadership strategies, and emerging issues in K-12 education. The event also provided rich opportunities for networking and collaboration among Wyoming education leaders. Special kudos to our colleague, Barbara Hickman, Associate Professor of Educational Leadership, for her leadership at this event. 
 
  • TeacherCon 2025: Co-hosted with the Wyoming Department of Education, TeacherCon brought together hundreds of educators statewide on August 4–5 at the Gateway Center. The event featured dynamic keynotes, more than 40 breakout sessions, interactive exhibits, and an awards dinner. The theme, “Honoring our past, examining our present, and imagining our future,” set the tone for two days of collaboration and reflection on the teaching profession and education in Wyoming. It is an honor to have partnered with the WDE on such an exciting initiative. 
 
  • 307 Principal Leadership Conference: And, as the third event of a busy week, on August 5–6, the College joined with WDE to co-host the second annual 307PLA Conference. Over 40 districts participated, with sessions ranging from Principal Action Research presentations to mentor program training. The event featured Dr. Douglas Reeves’ keynote on Fearless Leadership and underscored the momentum behind strengthening leadership pipelines across Wyoming schools. Colby Gull, TEI Managing Director and WSUP Director; Barbara Hickman; and Margaret Hudson, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership, were instrumental in making this event a success.
 
  • Wyoming Teacher Mentor Corps (WTMC): This summer marked the launch of the fourth annual Summer Mentor Institute, which welcomed new mentors from across the state into a 15-month program designed to support early-career teachers. The Wyoming Teacher Mentor Corps (WTMC) is a statewide initiative that equips experienced educators to mentor and support early-career teachers. Since its launch, the program has trained 57 mentors—with 17 more currently in training, who have collectively supported approximately 85 new teachers across Wyoming. Through Summer Institutes, Fall Retreats, and the Teacher Action Research Project Fair, WTMC provides both professional learning and recognition, including the designation of College of Education Mentor Fellows. While it is too early to measure long-term statewide retention impacts, early data and teacher success stories demonstrate that WTMC is making a real difference in strengthening teacher support, development, and retention across the state. I want to mention Colby Gull for his leadership, as well as the contributions of Tiffany Hunt, Assistant Professor in Special Education, and Leslie Rush, Wyoming Excellence Chair in Literacy.
 
  • Rural Teacher Corps (RTC): Dr. Alison Mercier represented UW and Wyoming at the Rural Schools Collaborative’s National Summit, where she shared successes of the Wyoming Rural Teacher Corps on a national panel. As part of the new Rural Educator Ecosystem Community of Learners, the Wyoming RTC continues to prepare and support future rural educators, strengthening the pipeline of teachers committed to Wyoming’s rural schools. Excellent work!
 
Recent Updates

  • New Faculty and Staff: We are excited to welcome new (or recently hired) faculty and staff to the College this fall:

  • Jeffrey Anderson, Wyoming Excellence Chair in Special Education
  • Lucas Dow, Professor of Practice in Career and Technical Education
  • JP Han, Assistant Professor in Elementary Mathematics Education
  • Tracy Spies, Fisher Family Professor in Literacy Education
  • Candice Lackman, Office Associate, Science and Math Teaching Center
  • Julianna Worden, Academic Advising Professional, Student Success Center
  • Charlie Yarchin, Office Associate, Student Success Center

  • Frequently Asked Processes: Attached is a reference guide outlining frequently asked processes at the College level.  This document is a work in progress, and we will continue to update it as new inquiries arise and as University-level policies and guidelines evolve. School Directors will provide clear guidance on procedures and policies specific to the School level.

  • Nikki Baldwin’s Wyoming Early Childhood Education Work: Nikki Baldwin, Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Literacy, and the Wyoming Early Childhood Outreach Network (WYECON) are strengthening early childhood education and kindergarten transitions statewide through initiatives like the annual Kindergarten Summit, play-based curriculum training, and community partnerships. See the attached outreach report for details.

  • Student Recognition: Cambree Miller: Cambree, a senior Agricultural Education major, was selected by the National FFA Organization to serve at the FFA Experience booth during the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis. Nice work, Cambree!

  • Student Recognition: Emma Daly: Emma, also a senior in Agricultural Education, was chosen as an NAAE #TeachAg Ambassador, with her official term beginning October 1, 2025. Congratulations, Emma!
     
I am proud of these two students for their work to promote Agricultural Education in Wyoming and beyond.

Announcements

  • College Meeting Next Week: Our first College of Education Meeting of the semester will take place on Tuesday, September 2, from 12:00–1:00 PM in the Union Family Room. The agenda includes a welcome, introductions of new faculty and staff, college announcements, a discussion of the climate assessment survey, and an Ombuds presentation. We look seeing faculty and staff in person and our Casper faculty on Zoom. 

  • Dean's Fall Welcome: Join us for the College of Education Dean’s Fall Welcome on Monday, September 15, from 4:30–6:30 PM at the Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center Ballroom. This annual gathering celebrates the power of teachers and will feature Allyson Fertig (UW Cowgirl Basketball, Elementary Education ’25), Allison Vandal (Mrs. Wyoming AmeriCAN, Elementary Education ’11), and a panel of current education students: Silas Boyd, Hilde Ball, and Sarah Turner. The event is open to all and includes a free barbecue dinner. A shareable flyer is attached; please distribute! 

  • Ellbogen Center for Teaching and Learning: Ellbogen Center for Teaching and Learning (ECTL) offers excellent professional development in teaching and learning.  From teaching and learning academics and learning communities to on-demand workshops, drop-in instructor support, and comprehensive online resources, the ECTL supports faculty across all disciplines. Anyone with a teaching role is highly encouraged to take advantage of these resources. https://www.uwyo.edu/ctl/index.html

  • IRB Information Session: The Institutional Review Board office will hold an information session next Thursday, September 4, from 12–1 PM in Education Annex 211. A Zoom option will be available for Casper faculty. Come learn more and ask questions about this important step in the research process. Please reach out to Courtney McKim (cmckim3@uwyo.edu), CLAD School Director, for more information.

  • Academic & Administrative Calendars: Updated University of Wyoming Academic and Administrative calendars for planning are available here: (Academic) https://www.uwyo.edu/acadaffairs/_files/docs/ay-calendar-25-26.pdf | (Administrative) https://www.uwyo.edu/acadaffairs/_files/docs/academic-admin-calendar-25-26-final-8-25-25.pdf

  • Podcast Club Launch: Building on last spring’s Book Club, the College is launching a Podcast Club this fall, organized by Jonathan Carrier, Assistant Professor in Higher Education Administration, and Leslie Rush. Sessions will take place every two weeks at noon (with Zoom options for remote participants), beginning September 4. Here is the link to sign up: https://uwyo.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aWXrD9y3zy0APbM

  • Dr. Alfred Tatum Talk: On September 10, 4–5 PM, in the LRCC / Zoom, Dr. Tatum, renowned literacy scholar, will present “Shattering the Literacy Hierarchy: No More Reading at the Bottom of the Well”. Thanks to Cindy Brock, Wyoming Excellence Chair in Literacy, for making the announcement. Here is the Zoom link: https://uwyo.zoom.us/j/91267691056

  • District Residency Connections Fair: On October 9, 2025, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM, in UW Union Ballroom, College of Education students can network with Wyoming district leaders, explore student teaching opportunities, engage with PK–12 classroom resources, and learn about current and future job openings. A free lunch panel will be included. See the attached flyer for details.

Thank you for reading these updates and announcements. They are an important glimpse into the careful, driven activity of our College to prepare the best educators, leaders, and counselors and serve the state of Wyoming. The semester ahead promises to be both active and rewarding. Let us carry forward the momentum of the summer and make the most of the 2025-2026 academic year. 

Have a good Labor Day weekend!
Jenna