School of Education and Human Development

School of Education and Human Development University of Southern Maine External Advisory Council Meeting Minutes January 24, 2014

Present: Linda Ward, David Chute, Norrie Crocker, Catherine Martin, Elizabeth Standen, Tom Lafavore, Deb Ledoux, Allen Lampert, Kevin Doran, Mike Brady (guest), Angela Marzilli, Bethany Connolly, Kim Blenk, Jamie Cluchey, Kelly Hasson, Jill Blackwood, Denise D’entremont, Sarah-Jane Poli, Kim Warren, Jean Whitney, Jeanne Whynot-Vickers, Joseph McDonnell, Glenn Cummings, Jeff Porter, Joy Halligan, Christopher Howell, Sandy Prince, Ruth Dater, Faye Gemeiner, Colleen Pleau and Jack Sutton via skype.

Welcome/Introductions: Sarah-Jane opened the meeting welcoming everyone and gave the overview of the agenda. A few minutes was taken for introductions.

Dean Joe McDonnell gave opening remarks:  A huge problem for USM is the decline in enrollment and a projected 14 million budget deficit next year.  The University is going through a radical re-thinking as to how to right ourselves.  A Direction Package advisory committee has been established. The committee includes faculty, staff, students and external partners who will begin to look at the issues. They will be looking into the following: o What are our signature programs o What could be a signature program o What can we work collaboratively with others across programs o What programs should we keep o What programs should we let go  Community engagement is extremely important.  How do we become as productive as we can? o SEHD use to have 5 department heads. We now have 1 chair (Walter Kimball) o Jean Whitney has taken on the position of Associate Dean in addition to her Director of Educator Preparation position. o There is a lot of overlap in courses that students could take together. o We have too many faculty for the number of students. The University has put together a retirement package.

Jean Whitney stated:  A Leadership Team has been formed with the goal of figuring out a new structure for ourselves.

1  Before Christmas a survey was conducted of the faculty to find out what their support needs are. The faculty are committed to their students, their programs and with continuing strong partnerships with schools.  Our work for the next year is to continue to look at the overlap & how we can combine courses.

Southern Maine Partnership: Glenn Cummings stated:  The Southern Maine Partnership is up & running again.  There is so much support from Districts.  The Southern Maine Partnership had a sold out event last week.  The next dinner meeting is from 4p – 6p on March 5th at the Glickman library. The topic will be on teacher evaluation.  The role of the SMP is to reach out to school districts & get them together to talk. What’s on your mind as educators?

Donating To SEHD Scholarship Fund: Kim Warren stated:  Currently 46% of the Advisory Board has made a monetary donation.  The last activity raised almost $3,000 for the endowment fund.  Kim distributed the Annual Fund 2013-2014 form & the endowed scholarship form to the Advisory Board members. There are also instructions for giving via the USM online portal.

Tour: The Advisory Council members were given a tour of the Osher Map Library.

Proficiency-based Diplomas II: SEHD’s endowed Community Scholarship Fund Raising Event  The Scholarship Committee is in the process of developing this second event.  It is being held from 4p – 6p in the Talbot Lecture Hall at Luther-Bonney on the Portland campus.  Registration is $25  The feedback from the 1st event is that the participants want to listen to people who are actually doing this.  The following is a report summary on the 1st event per Kim Warren: o 122 attendees o 11 organizations, 8 of them school districts o $3,050 raised from registrations o The cost was approximately $400 for food & facilities set-up. o The revenue was split between the principle account & the interest account of the SEHD Community Scholarship. o We now have over $32,000 in the principle account & the interest account generates nearly $80 a month.

2 o This allows for at least one additional $1,000 scholarship awarded annually.

SEHD Scholarship Report: Given by Kim Warren  2013 – 2014 Summary o 54 students received awards last year o $99,500 scholarship funds were awarded o The average award amount was $1,600 o Priority was given to internship students attending at least ½ time & receiving some type of financial aid.  We received 4 new scholarships this past year which will generate 12 – 15 new scholarships every year. o Almery R. & Kathleen L. Hamblem Scholarship. $100,000 generates (5), $1,000 scholarships annually o Joseph A. & Nellie Elkins Hamblen Scholarship. $100,000 generates (5), $1,000 scholarships annually. o Margaret E. Johnson Hill Scholarship for Elementary Education. $20,000 generates (1) $1,000 scholarship annually o Alden W. & Marian Hall Mitchell Scholarship. $67,000 generates (3) $1,100 scholarships annually.

Adult & Higher Education: A very enthusiastic Mike Brady, Professor & Program Coordinator, spoke about the Adult & Higher Education program.  Began in 1972  Mike was hired in 1984  1970’s -> Public school focus  1980’s -> Expansion of the curriculum  1990’s -> Experimented in “Distance Education”  2000’s -> Addition of “Higher Education” to the program title & transition to online learning.  1st program at USM to deliver Master’s program online  Graduates work in 4 general sections: o Public schools (State of Maine Certification) o Business & industry o Community non-profit agencies o Higher education  Salient Characteristics of the Program o Courses as “Learning Centers” o Reflective Practice. o Integration of Professional Education & Liberal Arts.  Kim Warren gave a review of her Action Research Project.

3 o The project was on the early experience of students after they transfer to USM o She did her research via survey & interviews o Transfer students have a hard time getting engaged. They want to get engaged, but time & transportation get in the way.  3 program alumni reflected on their experiences in the program. o Kevin Doran -> Loved his classes. He stated that the program changed the direction of his life. o Norrie Crocker -> The program changed my life. o Alan Lampert -> The program opened up opportunities for me.