College of Education and Human Development
2024 Donor Impact Report
Dean Dr. Donna Ploessl
“Thank you for empowering the future of education and human development! The faculty and staff of the College of Education & Human Development extend our genuine gratitude for the impact your generosity has on our programs. Your unwavering commitment to our mission enables us to continually advance the quality of education we provide. Thanks to your support, we’ve been able to expand our scholarship offerings, opening doors for talented students across disciplines such as counseling, family and consumer sciences, hospitality and tourism, human development and family studies, retail merchandising and teacher education. Your contributions also directly support our efforts to enhance learning environments, allowing us to renovate and update facilities with state-of-the-art technology and resources. This ensures that students in our programs are well-equipped for success in their future careers. Additionally, with your support, we are proud to have launched the University’s first doctoral program, further solidifying our commitment to academic excellence and leadership in education. Together, we are not just shaping individual lives, but the future of education at the University of Montevallo. We are extremely grateful for your ongoing dedication and belief in our vision to make a lasting difference in the world of education.”
Highlights
Department of Teaching, Leadership, and Technology Report
The College of Education and Human Development at the University of Montevallo continues to demonstrate its commitment to academic excellence and leadership development. This year marked a significant milestone with the launch of the University’s first doctoral degree in educational leadership, designed to prepare the next generation of educational leaders to meet the evolving challenges in schools and communities. Alongside this program, our faculty have been recognized for their research, leadership and dedication to student success. Below are key highlights of the recent achievements within the Department of Teaching, Leadership, and Technology (TLT):
Faculty Contributions to Research and Knowledge Sharing
- 26 Presentations: TLT faculty presented at various international, national and state conferences, sharing insights and research with peers and practitioners from around the globe.
- 6 Peer-Reviewed Publications: Faculty had six articles accepted for publication in prestigious peer-reviewed journals, contributing to the body of knowledge in the fields of education and leadership.
Faculty Awards and Leadership Roles
- Dr. Alisha Wheeler: Recipient of the Ernest Outstanding Commitment to Teaching Award, recognizing her dedication to high-quality teaching and mentorship.
- Dr. Cheng Hua: Appointed Editor for the National Council on Measurement in Education (NCME), reflecting her expertise and leadership in the field of educational measurement.
- Dr. Amy Samuels: Honored with the G. Pitchy Smith Multicultural Educator of the Year Award for her outstanding contributions to multicultural education.
Special Events and Student Engagement
- ASL Expo: Dr. Frances Courson hosted the second Annual ASL Expo, a cornerstone event for the Deaf Education program at UM, showcasing the importance of American Sign Language and inclusive education.
- Future Falcon Day: Dr. JiJi Davis organized a special Future Falcon Day at UM for Montevallo Middle School students, inspiring young learners to pursue higher education.
- KDP Spring Initiation: Dr. Frances Courson led the Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) Spring Initiation, welcoming a new cohort of future educators into this prestigious international honor society.
- GUJC Cultural Recognition Luncheon: Drs. Amy Samuels, Alvin Taylor and Greg Samuels hosted this event, fostering cultural awareness and celebrating multicultural education.
- Deaf Education ASL Forum: Dr. Frances Courson spearheaded the second annual Deaf Education ASL Forum this summer, attracting over 500 participants and reinforcing the importance of inclusivity in education.
Hosting Conferences
The College proudly hosted the Spring NAME Conference, bringing together leaders in multicultural education to discuss best practices and innovative strategies for advancing teaching in schools and communities.
Commitment to Professional Development
Our faculty participated in various professional development opportunities, ensuring they remain at the cutting edge of educational practice. These include:
- Exploring Today’s Classroom Summit
- Higher Education Literacy Summit
- Alabama Achievement Consortium Conference
Our Commitment to Future Educators and Leaders
With the addition of the doctoral program in educational leadership and continued faculty excellence, the College of Education and Human Development is committed to preparing future educators and leaders to thrive in an ever-changing world. Through groundbreaking research, innovative teaching and community engagement, we are building a brighter future for students, schools and communities.
Thank you for your continued support in making these achievements possible. Together, we are shaping the future of education and making a meaningful impact on society.
Department of Consumer and Human Sciences Report
The College of Education and Human Development is proud to highlight the outstanding achievements of our counseling students and the significant events hosted by the department. Our commitment to preparing highly skilled and dedicated counselors is reflected in the success of our students and the partnerships we maintain with professional organizations. Below are key highlights from the 2023-2024 academic year:
Student Success in Professional Development and National Examinations
- Conference Presentations: Seven of our counseling students had the opportunity to present poster sessions at the Alabama Counseling Association Conference, while one student represented the College on a national level, presenting a poster session at the American Mental Health Counselors Association. These experiences showcase our students’ ability to engage with professionals in the field and contribute to ongoing conversations about mental health and counseling practices.
- 100% Pass Rate on the National Counselor Exam: All students who took the National Counselor Exam (NCE) during the 2023-2024 academic year passed, a testament to the rigorous preparation and high standards upheld within the program.
- 100% Employment Rate: Every student who graduated during the 2023-2024 academic year has secured employment in a counseling or counseling-related position, reflecting the program’s effectiveness in preparing graduates for meaningful and impactful careers.
Hosting Professional Conferences and Building Networks
The Department of Consumer and Human Sciences has continued to foster relationships with key organizations in the field, hosting two important professional gatherings this year:
- The Alabama School Counseling Association: This event brought together school counselors from across the state to discuss the latest trends and best practices in supporting students’ academic and emotional well-being.
- The Alabama Association of Family & Consumer Sciences: We also welcomed members of this association to campus, providing a forum for professionals to explore advancements in family dynamics, consumer sciences, and their implications for communities and education.
A Commitment to Excellence and Impact
The achievements of our students and the hosting of significant professional events reflect our unwavering commitment to the field of counseling and human development. Our programs are designed to prepare students not only to pass exams but to excel in their careers, making a difference in the lives of individuals, families, and communities.
FCS
- Through Foundation funding, we are able to offer academic scholarships to incoming and current students, purchase materials and technologies for student use in the FCS major and support faculty professional development.
- During our Honors Day Program in April 2024, the FCS program awarded over $77,000 in scholarships for the 2024-2025 academic year.
- FCS hosted the Alabama Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (ALAFCS) annual professional development conference in April 2024. FCS faculty and students attended.
- FCS Education graduates maintained 100% pass rate on EdTPA.
- FCS faculty members serve on local high school advisory boards ensuring on-going communication between high schools and the FCS program.
- Carolina Bell (Out of the Box Gifts & More), alum and entrepreneur, discussed the value of planning the merchandise assortment with the Retail Planning class.
- Alum Kristine Lively (Chicken Salad Chick marketing manager) spoke to the retail merchandising majors about the value of marketing in the current retail environment.
- John Coleman (Graham & Company) and Michael Gee (co-owner of the Pants Store) spoke with Dr. Donna Bell’s retail planning class on finding and securing the right location for a business.
- Kayley Cook (McWane Science Center) spoke to human and development and family studies majors about hands-on learning science experiences.
- Madison Johnson (M4A) discussed direct services for birth to adults in Dr. Laura Bloom’s program administration class.
- Kathleen Hlavaty (One Op) spoke to Dr. Joelle Smith’s family life education class on the process and importance of evaluation for CFLE.
- Sydney Burton (LA Times) spoke to the hospitality and tourism event planning class.
- Lindsey Culver (Jurassic Quest) discussed hospitality management for attractions with Withrow Newell’s hospitality and tourism majors.
