ON SEPTEMBER 1, at the request of Provost Tom Sullivan, I assumed the position of interim dean in the College of Education and Human Development. Let me first say that it is a privilege to work in this new role with the faculty, staff , and students of this college. Going forward, I plan to focus on four issues outlined by Provost Sullivan: the budget, fund-raising, recruitment and retention of excellent faculty, and faculty and staff morale. I also intend to further increase the diversity of our faculty, staff , and students and improve communication with inside and outside audiences.

We wish former Dean Darlyne Bailey well as she takes a half-time leave to cope with serious medical issues in her family. For the other 50 percent of her appointment, she will accept additional responsibilities in her role as assistant to University President Robert Bruininks.

I am excited to carry forward the college’s dedication to healthy human development across the lifespan, including the critical examination of a pipeline that leads from early childhood to a successful adulthood. One area of particular focus by University educators is science, technology, engineering, and math, also known as STEM, where career demand exceeds qualified college graduates. Understanding the complex issues of our times—climate change, energy sources, food safety—requires a general science literacy that recent assessments show to be lacking.

Our faculty members are collaborating with government, business, community leaders, and K–12 educators to develop a pipeline of STEM majors and future professionals. This requires building student interest by integrating science and math concepts throughout the curriculum, as at Mahtomedi High School (see “The Science of Shakespeare”), where CEHD faculty are developing curricula in concert with district educators including the superintendent—an alumnus.

Letting students shape curriculum is another way to spark curiosity. This inquiry based learning, featured in the story “Inquiring minds,” is a cornerstone of CEHD’s educator preparation programs as well as ongoing professional development programs, such as the Austin Teacher Partnership and summer Microscopy Camps. Both model the college’s dedication to pedagogy, content knowledge, and teacher development. A similar multifaceted approach begins at the undergraduate level with PhysTEC, a partnership with the Institute of Technology that encourages physics majors to pursue teaching.

In fact, most of the programs featured in this issue involve collaboration across the University, as well as across the community. Interdisciplinary collaboration is integral to successful STEM education and a strategy that our college is uniquely qualified to advance.

Sincerely,
 

Jean Quam, interim dean

PHOTO: Greg Helgeson