SCHOOL OF EDUCATION COMMISSIONING SERVICE Mission & Vision

FRIDAY, MAY 7, 2021 2021 Commissioning Address DR. M.G. “PAT” ROBERTSON

Dr. M.G. “Pat” Robertson is founder, chancellor and CEO of Regent University. Robertson has achieved national and international recognition as a religious broadcaster, philanthropist, educator, religious leader, businessman and author. In addition to his significant role at Regent, he is the founder and chairman of the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) Inc., and founder of International Family Entertainment Inc., Operation Blessing International Relief and Development Corporation, American Center for Law and Justice, The Flying Hospital Inc., and several other organizations and broadcast entities.

Robertson is the son of Gladys Churchill Robertson and A. Willis Robertson, who served for 34 years in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate.

He entered Washington and Lee University in 1946, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. In 1948, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. After graduating magna cum laude from Washington and Lee University in 1950, Robertson served as assistant adjutant of the First Marine Division in combat in Korea and was promoted to first lieutenant upon his return to the states in 1952. He received a juris doctor degree from Yale University Law School in 1955 and a Master of Divinity degree from New York Theological Seminary in 1959.

Honors for his humanitarian efforts include: Lifetime Achievement Award, 2017 - 25th Silver Anniversary Movieguide Awards Winston Churchill Lifetime Achievement Award, 2013 - Faith & Freedom Coalition Hampton Roads Business Hall of Fame, 2009 New York Theological Seminary Distinction in Ministry Award, 2009 The State of Israel Friendship Award, 2002 - Zionist Organization of America, Chicago Cross of Nails Award for his work with The Flying Hospital, 2000 Defender of Israel Award, 1994 - Christians’ Israel Public Action Campaign One of America’s 100 Cultural Elite, 1992 - Newsweek Magazine Christian Broadcaster of the Year, 1989 - National Religious Broadcasters Man of the Year, 1988 - Students for America Humanitarian of the Year, 1982 - Food for the Hungry

Robertson is past president of the prestigious Council on National Policy. He has served on President Ronald Reagan’s Task Force on Victims of Crime, the Board of Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Robertson also founded and served on the Christian Coalition of America.

He and his wife, Dede, have four children, 14 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren, and reside in Virginia Beach, Virginia. School of Education 2021 Commissioning Ceremony  

Welcome ...... Dean Kurt Kreassig

Invocation...... Dr. Glenn Koonce

Introduction of Dr. Gerson Moreno-Riaño ...... Dean Kurt Kreassig

Congratulatory Remarks from Academic Affairs ...... Dr. Gerson Moreno-Riaño Executive Vice President Introduction of Dr. M.G. “Pat” Robertson ...... Dean Kurt Kreassig

Chancellor’s Commissioning Address ...... Dr. M.G. “Pat” Robertson Founder, Chancellor & CEO, Regent University Song- Blessed Assurance ...... Regent Singers

Recognition of Family and Friends ...... Dean Kurt Kreassig

Academic Awards Outstanding Graduate Award (M.Ed.) ...... Dr. Merv Wighting Outstanding Graduate Award (Ed.S.) ...... Dr. Jeff Pittman Outstanding Graduate Award (Ed.D.)...... Dr. Linda Grooms Outstanding Graduate Award (Ph.D.) ...... Dr. Linda Grooms Outstanding Faculty Award ...... Dean Kurt Kreassig Outstanding Staff Award ...... Assistant Dean Katie Goldman

Introduction of Commissioning Ceremony and Prayer ...... Dean Kurt Kreassig

Graduate Charge ...... Dean Kurt Kreassig

Prayer for and over Graduates ...... SOE Faculty

Song- The Doxology ...... Regent Singers

Benediction ...... Assistant Dean Katie Goldman

Message from the Dean On behalf of the School of Education and Regent University, I extend a sincere congratulations. It is an honor and privilege to have partnered with you over the years, and it brings us great joy to witness your faithfulness and diligence in successfully completing your degree. You have been exceptional representatives of the School of Education and I know that you will continue to serve as worthy ambassadors for the School of Education by building upon our reputation for innovation and leadership in your chosen fields.

I want to remind you of what you came to our School of Education to accomplish and why, and what lies ahead for you. The Lord has prepared you not just over these few years at Regent University in the discipline you studied, but for a lifetime of service to come. A repeated theme in the Bible is what the Lord told Peter - Each of you has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's grace (1 Peter 4:10). Each of you has the opportunity to serve and enrich the lives of those around you. So, as you move forward from Regent University, remember your gift of service and seek to share it with others for the Glory of God.

We would like to personally thank all spouses, parents, family members, and loved ones who have supported you along the way. We are keenly aware that your success is not always achieved alone.

Kurt Kreassig, Ed.D. Dean, School of Education

Reflection

In light of the challenging circumstances affecting the United States and many other nations worldwide, we remind you of God’s faithfulness and His declaration to all who trust in Him:

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13

Class of 2021   Jennifer Palazzari Elizabeth Bayless CANDIDATES FOR THE Dissertation: Recipe for success: Dissertation: Student perception DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN a phenomenological study of the online learning EDUCATION investigating factors community: A phenomenological contributing to success in a investigation of undergraduate virtual high school program. students in the distance learning James Allen environment. Dissertation: Impacts of Call Me Martinarose Lillian Polnitz Mister Mentorship Program on Dissertation: Effective Marquita Braswell the academic success of African instructional coaching: Dissertation: The recruitment American Males in higher secondary teacher perceptions of and retention of generation z education. how coaching activities influence teachers. classroom practices. Cheryl A. Bostrom Cary Austin Brown Dissertation: Culturally valid Kami Reece Dissertation: The relationship of assessment of the alphabetic Dissertation: Teacher perception spirituality in African American principle for early elementary of the impact of mathematics male graduates from a Hmong students learning English. instructional coaching. historically black university: a phenomenological study. Roger L. Dutcher Shawn Milton Jensen Roberts Dissertation: A phenomenology Dissertation: Exploring the Lauren Cave of parent and practitioner predictive relationship between Dissertation: PBIS tier on experiences with autism and K- school day start time, gender, implementation: is there a 12 education in Mongolia. school level, and standardized difference in referral rates, test results. suspension rates, and attendance Teneika L. Eve rates over time in a three-year Dissertation: Multimedia design: Kathryn Lee Whitney analysis amongst elementary adult culinary learners’ Dissertation: The effect of and middle school students? perception of recipe usability and personalized learning on student learner comprehension. achievement. Frances Cooney Dissertation: Teachers' social- Andrew Maynard Francis Kimberly Yontz emotional competencies and Dissertation: Mitigating Dissertation: Grade five teachers, perceptions of social-emotional destructive behaviors: examining professional development, and learning. the association between teaching common core math resilience and belongingness standards: a phenomenological Mandi Lorene Cumpston among active-duty navy study. Dissertation: A correlational personnel. study of elementary school CANDIDATES FOR THE teacher perceptions of the Nneka Greene DOCTOR OF EDUCATION relationship between the Dissertation: Mirror, mirror on DEGREE attributes of a teacher the wall: in search of ethnic evaluation system and the homogeneity in mentoring – a Chakira Handy Ashby evaluation system's quality and critical mixed methods study. Dissertation: A product of the impact on professional practices. environment: the effects of Briana K. Marker environmental and social factors Nancy Daniels Dissertation: Factors to prepare on recidivism as it compares to Dissertation: An exploration of Christians for service in public reciprocal determinism beginning teacher mentoring education. models in Virginia and their Jonathan Bare impact on retention. Dissertation: The student–faculty relationship among male M.Div. students. Ashley Symone Livingston Dissertation: Experiences and perspectives of teachers' Melissa Huffman Duckworth teaching low-income minority Douglas James Pietersma Dissertation: Race, age, and prior students in early childhood: a Dissertation: The lived educational attainment as phenomenological study. experience of homeschooling predictors of vocational program families and the transference of participation or completion in a Tonya Sheree Manago faith tradition: a narrative Virginia prison: a Dissertation: Parents' self- exploration. phenomenological study. perceived influence of high school athletic coaches on the Marian A. Redwine Jessica Lanette Ferguson academic success and character Dissertation: A portrait of Dissertation: Strategies of equity development of student-athletes. engagement: a mixed methods minded leaders to promote inquiry into the characteristics of academic achievement for Sonia T. March faculty and staff engagement African American students. Dissertation: Hope as a practice and the impact on spiritual among educational leaders and vitality on the Christian higher Maranda Miracle Daireis Hall its impact on organizational education. Dissertation: Fortnight, climate. screenager, and student Melina Reeves-Bartone resistance: a correlational Matthew L. Mac Kelly Dissertation: Factors influencing analysis. Dissertation: The Title IX the educational decisions of regulations: An examination of students in rural Appalachia. Eric Dante Henderson the rules and what they mean to Dissertation: Perceived self- higher education. Gloria Lenora Robinson-Sessoms efficacy and resourcefulness of Dissertation: Case study analyses student veterans with post- Ella Louise Moore of the free appropriate public traumatic stress disorder in Dissertation: Christian parents' education for parent advocates. higher education. perceived self-efficacy for discipleship and the practice of Elizabeth C. Rodriguez Jeanne Elizabeth Hopkins Christian discipleship of children Dissertation: Using an online The impact of college faculty of in the home. orientation to predict first-time professional development on online students’ readiness. course design, teaching and Yvette Carleen Motley assessment practices, Dissertation: A trend analysis of Jonita Renee Shabazz middle school suspension data of Dissertation: Equity in student Summer Jacobsen districtwide and school-based discipline: an examination of the Dissertation: Social media tools implementation of restorative disparities in school discipline for in instruction and the digital practices in Maryland. African American females in K- classification of middle school 12 public schools in Region II of teachers. Sherri Dale Hall Myers Virginia. Dissertation: Socialization of Carol Elaine Johnson homeschooled students. Jeffrey Thomas Shivak Dissertation: Exploring the Dissertation: An exploration of impact of restorative justice Michael Jon Pelloni experiences from a lay practices on students' sense of Dissertation: Analysis of the little perspective concerning the academic, social, and emotional lions learning lab to improve behavior of physicians: an self-efficacy in a small, rural, teacher recruitment and ethnographic collective case northern Virginia school division. retention. study.

Angerina Jones Aaron M. Perez Chaundria Lynn Smith Dissertation: Closing the Dissertation: An investigation of Dissertation: Factors that pedagogical gap: a look at the student and staff perceptions of motivate or inhibit assistant recruitment practices of African standardized testing principals to pursue the urban American teachers participation at a blended/online principalship. high school that serves at-risk students.

Tamara D. Smith-Moyler Yomeka Gaffney Lakishia Banister Dissertation: The impact of the Carrie Elizabeth Gantt Jill Glover Bauserman co-teaching relationship on Kimberly Ann Gegner Alessandra Fernandez Bautista elementary special education teachers' self-efficacy for LaWanda Ramona Gray Amy Belcher teaching mathematics. Sandra Michelle Hale Janine Price Bell Shawnese Moore Preuitt Harden Vanessa Dale Bell-Spence Barbara M. Sutton Chastity L. Hylton Michelle Elizabeth Benard Dissertation: A qualitative study Duasiane' Benjamin of teachers' perceptions of Jocelyn Anne Jones Kyi Benkowitsch workplace support while Joseph Klein Heather Lynn Bergeron experiencing grief. Jon Kramer Brent David Bland Maria Therese Mandis Terry L. Taylor Ashlyn R. Bolton Kia Ericka Mccardell Dissertation: Interpretative Bridget Nicole Bowles phenomenological analysis of John McDaniel Laura Lucia Bowman the spiritual journey of single Kimberly Moore male non-ministry students. Faye Stone Brandon Warren Carlos Moore Danielle Brewer John Troyer Kerrie Gaston Osborn Michelle R. Brown Dissertation: Accomplishing Mandy J. Payne John R. Brunschwyler purpose: mission alignment in Sarita Evett Phillips Christian higher education Rachel Kristine Bull Sharonda B. Ragland institutions. Craig Andrew Campbell Teresa A. Ritzel Heather D. H. Cannarella Ashley M. Savage Natasha Caulder CANDIDATES FOR THE Natasha Sayed Kathryn Chandler EDUCATIONAL SPECIALIST Valerie Scott-Dixon Hannah Choi DEGREE Kelly Anne Simpson-Maksem Carolyn Marie Christopher Nanette Lee Solomon-Gaines Elliott Ryan Cobbins Joscelyn Renee Akadi Sarah M. Tainow Pauline Bundy Collins Shar-Reese Alfred Anita Tawiah Sheila T. Concepcion Rachelle Andrews-Mobley Joi Angel Tramuel Melanie Connors Carla Beale Kimberly D. Tucker Lori LeAnne Corbett Natasha Beene Shane Underwood Sasha Corrodus-Odom LaTonia N. Bills Kimberly Waite-Cooper Candace R. Crawford Brian Kwame Dadson Mercedes Buck Chonita Walker Adam L. Davis Vernita DeSha Burnett Alicia Regina Williams Astrid Aileen D'Meza Allison Case Ana Luz Williams Brickell Lee Dotson Brittany Farmer Cobbin Syreena Reneice Williams Ivonne Myriam Draper Robert Crumpler Margaret D. Wilson Ryan Dunbar Gina Suzanne Cruz Scott Zimmerman Claire Talbot Eddins Jacqueline Cuellar-Spring Cecelia Ann Edic Traci Dill Yuriko Karena Edwards Sandra Donati CANDIDATES FOR THE MASTER OF EDUCATION Gabriela Escobar Kamil Donawa DEGREE Joanna Espinosa Latoria T. Dorsett Sharday Ewell Jennifer Nicole Evans Sarah Maria Alspaugh Jarid Fagin David Nathanael Eveland Karen Grace Amos Amanda L. Fiel Jessica Ford Elick Arp Robert Flanigan Jacquiline Jeannine Foster Jerome Nowell Ashton Lesley Steven Garnai Dalton Gatlin Magdalene Mason Kelsey Q. Sinclair Suzan Beth Gibson Kelly McGaha Karen Skinner Jessica Lauren Goad Grace Mcguire Heather Marie Slivecky Thelma Alexandria Gray Amanda Ruth McIlwain Kelly Anne Smalley Jenny Rae Greene Christopher M. McKeaney Ami F. Smith Natalie Rose Griffin Colleen Anne Marie McVey Cheryl Smith Andrea F. Grindea Lacey Alanna Meneide DeMarcquis Smith Amanda Guerrieri Lindsay J. Meredith Evelyn Kristine Smith Christina Hairgrove Nichole B. Minot Jashima L. Smith Alisha Hamilton Scott Patrick Murphy Justin Jacoby Smith Whitney Hargraves Kelsey Murray Nathan Allan McLeod Smith Leroy Harper Jr. Sara Kathryn O'Malley Terrion Demetrius Smith Ronald D. Harrison Jr. Scott O'Neal Cindy Renee Snead Kristen Nicole Hilferty Stephanie Kathleen O'Neil Lauren Ashley Speight Brenda Lee Hines Brian Osborne Dorinda Stagg Aaron Householder Vance Lamont Page Kathleen Marie Starman Dana Howald Kimberly Harris Palmer Meghan Fleming Streit Rebecca Lauren Innamorato Howard Anwar-Saeed Paras Caroline T. Striepe Meghan Jackson Melanie Parks Shanai Monique Sykes Natasha Benet Jackson Thomas Allen Pear Brian Taylor Michael Jakubowski Regina Michelle Perez Danielle Taylor Brittney James Thomas A. Peters Kiana LaVonda Taylor Kimberly R. James Tiffanie Peterson-Webb Justice Telfare Bryant Christopher Jefferson Marvella Phillips Deborah Thompson Rashad Jones Anca Potoan Riccio Zenilda Alicia Thompson Teresa Jordan Gabriel Powell Crystal Jean Torbush Caitlin Kearney Faith Nicole Pyrch Raymond Trac Mikaila Keller Fauzia Rafiq Elizabeth Merrill Trigg Kristin Anne Kidd Janice Irene Riley William C. Turner Gee-Won Kim Lauren Rimando Jacob Vaughn Ashley R. King Erica Marie Rivers Laurie Ann Waller Katherine Karen Kivlin Lauren Nicole Robinson Sharon Flanary Wallin Erin S. Knapp Kirstie Robison Jamie Ann Weaver-Denning Alexandra LaFratta Lauren Salas Anthony Quinn Wheeler Rebecca Marie Lepper Joshua C. Sanders Lisa B. Wiertel George Lias Caleb Sears Nathan Wiles Wendy Maldonado Shahnaz Sepehrband Marvin Wilhite Karie Miller Mallory James Seymore Desiree S. Wilson Michael Harrison Mangan Gretchen Hilary Shahriari Rebecca Karen Wong Jenny March Kevin Maurice Shepherd Jr. Alysia Younce Alice O. Marshall Nashonda Sherrod Grace Yusckat Reza Aaron Marvashti Jeffrey Lloyd Shildt Amelia Zarate Tammy Lynn Mascolo Stephanie Elizabeth Shook Kyle Mason Tulsa D. Silver

Faculty and Staff of the School of Education  

Marissa Ash, M.Ed. Selig Fellow Jason Baker, Ph.D. Professor Paul Carr, Ed.D. Program Chair, Professor Rachel Copeland, M.Ed. Certification/Licensure Official Donald Finn Jr., Ph.D. Program Chair, Associate Professor Andrea Francis, MBA Graduate Assistant Katie Goldman, Ed.D. Assistant Dean Linda Grooms, Ph.D. Professor John Hanes Jr., Ph.D. Associate Professor Sheila. Hill, Ed.D. Program Chair, Assistant Professor Jiuhan Huang, Ed.D. Associate Professor Elizabeth. Hunter, Ed.D. Program Chair, Assistant Professor Glenn Koonce, Ed.D. Program Chair, Associate Professor Kurt Kreassig, Ed.D Dean Diane Morgan Administrative Records Coordinator Deanna Nisbet, Ed.D. Program Chair, Professor Jeffrey Pittman, Ph.D. Program Chair, Associate Professor Ashley Rombs, M.Ed. Selig Fellow Brenda Vaughan, MM Coordinator of Field Placements Mervyn Wighting, Ph.D. Program Chair, Professor

The Regent University School of Education: History

The School of Education was formed in 1980 with approximately 16 students and three full-time faculty members. The school initially enrolled mostly students interested in Christian school education. The interests changed when the university introduced programs geared toward practicing public school teachers and administrators as well as using more convenient formats such as weekend courses and online instruction. Today, the majority of students seeking advanced degrees are public school employees. The school has since grown to serve 1200 degree-seeking students each year and offers 23 distinct areas of study ranging from master’s level through Ph.D. The school employs 12 full-time faculty members.

Our mission states, “The School of Education, through its commitment to excellence in teaching, research and service, provides a biblically based, Christian education to equip men and women in mind, heart, and character for lives of educational service and transformational leadership.” The faculty believe that curriculum is enhanced by the infusion of Judeo-Christian values found in Scripture, especially in cultivating our students as ambassadors of hope and compassion. Our vision is that our graduates portray a lifestyle that ignites change because of their commitment to these eternal values.

We give God thanks for His faithfulness for over forty years of service to the Regent community, including our alumni and students and the sectors in which they serve, especially education. Our impact has gone throughout the world. With His help, we have proved that we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength (Philippians 4:13).

“I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me.”

PHILIPPIANS 4:13 Mission & Vision

The mission of Regent University is to serve as a leading center of Christian thought and action, providing excellent education from a biblical perspective and global context in pivotal professions to equip Christian leaders to change the world.

The vision of Regent University is to be the most influential, Christian, transformational university in the world.

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