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Education Department Receives Perfect Accreditation Evaluation

Georgetown College’s education department has received a perfect evaluation from the Council for the Accreditation for Educator Preparation (CAEP) for the College’s bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. In recognition of this achievement, the College also received a 2021 Frank Murray Leadership Recognition for Continuous Improvement award from CAEP.

“This outcome is extraordinary—it is every institution’s dream to receive a perfectly clean reaffirmation from its accreditor,” said Acting President Dr. Rosemary Allen. “We earned that perfect outcome as a result of the tireless work of the entire Education team, and thanks to the experienced leadership of our Dean of Education, Dr. Jason Reeves.” CAEP is the sole nationally recognized accrediting body for educator preparation. In order to achieve accreditation, departments must pass peer review on five standards. The College met all five standards with no areas for improvement noted. The education department’s accreditation by CAEP is valid from Spring 2021 until Spring 2028.

Dr. Susan Dummer Receives Manning Award

Each year at Opening Convocation, Georgetown College students help award one faculty member with the John Walker Manning Distinguished Mentor and Teacher Award, which recognizes faculty who have shown a commitment to Georgetown College in their mentorship of students.

This year, Acting President Dr. Rosemary Allen awarded Professor of Communications and Media Studies Dr. Susan Dummer the John Walker Manning Distinguished Mentor and Teacher Award

Nominees for the award will have demonstrated excellence in guiding students in their academic journeys at the College. They are individuals who are always willing to go that extra mile to help a student and ensure his or her success. Students have a substantial voice in the Manning Award, which sets it apart from other such awards. This means the award always hold a bit of extra significance for its winners.

Speaking at Opening Convocation on the awarding of the honor, Dr. Allen said, “Dr. Dummer has earned the love of her students by giving them love when they need it, whether that love is the unconditional love of acceptance when she embraces a student for who they are or the tough love of someone who holds students accountable when that’s what they really need to grow. Her heart is huge, and it embraces everyone.”

Dr. Cassandra Simmons Delivers Collier Lecture

The Collier Lecture is one of the key academic lectures on the calendar each year at Georgetown College, and this year, the College was incredibly pleased to welcome one of its own to deliver it, Dr. Cassandra Simmons ’12.

Dr. Simmons (at right above) spoke in the newly redesigned Ward Room of Ensor LRC on “Racial Trauma and the Process of Healing”

After receiving her bachelor’s degree from Georgetown College, Dr. Simmons received advanced degrees in clinical forensic psychology. She is currently a Drug Abuse Program Coordinator for the Department of Justice – Bureau of Prisons and a licensed sex offender treatment provider.

Focusing in her areas of interest, which include multiculturalism issues, racial and historical trauma, and equity and inclusion, Dr. Simmons outlined clear steps in the process of healing from racial trauma.

Dr. Simmons also reflected on her own journey and how education became such a vital part of her life.

As a young person, school became a refuge for Dr. Simmons. Even at a young age, she understood the possibilities that an education would provide her. “I met Vice President of Athletics Mr. Brian Evans at a conference, and I just knew that if I could get that scholarship to Georgetown College, it would change my life,” said Dr. Simmons. “I emailed him constantly that year, and a year later, he offered me that scholarship. It really did change my life.”