Message from the Interim Dean

School of Professional and Innovative Studies

I am energized by the appointment to serve as your Interim Dean for the 2011-2012 academic year. I have felt the positive energy within the School of Professional and Innovative Studies since my arrival in July 2011.

Prior to becoming Dean, I served Lake Erie College and the department in this position during the 2004-2005 academic year. While the challenges faced by the School of Professional and Innovative Studies are quite different at this time, the energy and enthusiasm continues to be at an all-time high.

We have many good things to report since settling into our new academic home in the Garfield Center in July 2011.

• We’ve introduced rich and relevant graduate courses during the M.Ed. Information Nights;
• The changes from the Ohio Department of Education affecting our programming are moving through the implementation phase;
• Elevated rigor and relevance within our undergraduate and graduate programming continue to be noted;
• Conversations with students continue to provide a student vision for the future;
• We are monitoring our position for continuous improvement throughout our instructional program.

During the first semester, members of the faculty completed the Department Program Review and our Coordinator of Campus Supervisors began the implementation of the new assessment tools for student teaching. All of these initiatives continue to contribute to the dynamic and powerful energy known as the School of Professional and Innovative Studies.

Members of our faculty have enhanced relevance within their classrooms, and that is noted by the conversations with students and faculty.

• Digital Backpacks, a relevant and rigorous new technology course, was introduced as well as the early childhood philosophy of Reggio Emilla.
• The collaborations within our county that began in the fall have grown and continue to produce outstanding opportunities for our undergraduate and graduate students.
• Connect the Dots, our most recent education community initiative, has grown with the support and assistance of the Lake and Geauga County Educational Services Centers. The networking opportunity has provided a forum for professional educators from Lake and Geauga Counties to discuss issues of interest to them at this time. For more information, please contact Mrs. Pam Martin, Coordinator of Campus Supervisors at 440-375-7385. Our graduate cohort is completing their research and is looking forward to graduation this spring. We look forward to the start of a new cohort in the summer of 2012. If you are interested in becoming part of the 2012 Graduate Cohort, contact the Admissions Office at 1-855-GO STORM and ask to speak with Dean Harris or contact the School of Professional and Innovative Studies directly at 440-375-7367.

Students (past, present and future) are welcome to stop by our office in Garfield Center. If you would like, schedule a time to meet with me or any member of the faculty and discuss your vision for the School of Professional and Innovative Studies. I am always looking for input and that "entrepreneurial spirit” that education needs to thrive in the 21^st century.

John R. Meehl
Interim Dean
School of Professional and Innovative Studies

Email the Dean with your comments or questions at jmeehl@lec.edu