GSEP Annual Dean's Report 2021–2022

PEPPERDINE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION AND PSYCHOLOGY DEAN’S REPORT

MISSION STATEMENT

University Statement

Pepperdine is a Christian university committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values, where students are strengthened for lives of purpose, service, and leadership.

GSEP Mission Statement

The Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP) is an innovative learning community where faculty, staff, and students of diverse cultures and perspectives work collaboratively to foster academic excellence, social purpose, meaningful service, and personal fulfillment. As a graduate school within a Christian university, GSEP endeavors to educate and motivate students to assume leadership roles in professions that improve and enrich the lives of individuals, families, and communities. GSEP embraces human diversity— which we believe to be the natural expression of God’s creation—in our work to advance learning and service. GSEP advances, sustains, and advocates for multicultural proficiency.

The strategies for accomplishing this mission are:

• Promoting discourse that values each member’s background, experiences, and perspective;

• Recruiting, retaining, and advancing diverse students, staff, and faculty;

• Developing curricular models for practice in educational and psychological environments; and

• Reaching out to broader communities to promote understanding and facilitate solutions to diversity challenges.

GSEP AT A GLANCE

Enrolled Students

Fall 2021 Total 3,626

2021–2022 Graduates 1,121

Psychology 900

Education 221

Age and Gender

Male 18%

Female 82%

Average Age 32 Years

Global Enrollment

31 Countries

6 Continents

47 US States

Alumni

Degrees Earned 25,005

Student Aid

GSEP Scholarships for FY22

$9,035,000

Scholarships Available 45

GSEP Discount Rate 11.14%

Average Amount of Aid for New GSEP Student Award Recipients

$7,035

$6 Million in Aid Available

Student Race/Ethnicity

Two or More Races 5.1%

Hispanic/Latinx 23.7%

Black 11.9%

Asian 11.8%

White 41.6%

Pacific Islander/Hawaiian 0.4%

Native American or Alaskan Native 0.3%

Unknown 5.1%

2021–2022 Dissertations

Dissertations Defended

63 PsyD 15 EdD 35 PhD 13

Source: GSEP Dissertation Tracking

Student Employees Hired Every Term 200

FORMER DEAN’S LETTER

Greetings GSEP Family,

It is my pleasure to share with you the final GSEP Annual Report of my tenure as dean of this illustrious body. The 2021–2022 academic year was negatively impacted by continuous challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, we managed cautiously and shifted operations where necessary.

The academic year ended with GSEP in a very healthy place academically, financially, and culturally. Though a couple of programs began to show signs of stress, this was offset by steady increased enrollment in other areas. Academically, the school’s national reputation was significantly bolstered by the efforts of many faculty, especially those of Thema Bryant-Davis, who was elected to serve as the president of the American Psychological Association, and Eric Hamilton, with his NSF Grant projects. The incorporation of the Optimal Engagement Immersion Pedagogy (OEIP) technology handsomely enhanced our programming. We held commencement on September 25, 2021, giving the graduates of the classes of 2020 and 2021 an opportunity to celebrate in person. We also celebrated commencement on May 21, 2022 across both the Education and Psychology Divisions with 801 graduates and nearly 10,000 guests. Fiscally, though national inflation reached record levels, GSEP surpassed the Seaver College enrollment. The fall 2021 official enrollment count was 3,626 students, a number unseen at the school in many years, if ever. The Pepperdine Business Collection System Historical Data report dated July 14, 2022 revealed GSEP’s revenue actual was $119,351,741 (334.61% increase over its FY15 revenue actual of $35,668,364). More students yielded increased expenses. Yet, the same report showed GSEP’s net contribution to Pepperdine was on target to be $48,048,093 compared with the $15,097,942 surrendered in FY15 (318.2%). Student scholarship spending increased from $5.2 million to $11 million.

Culturally, the increased enrollment necessitated an increase in the hiring of faculty and staff. This was a major challenge because of the Great Resignation prevalent within our national workforce. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in June 2022, 4.2 million employees in the United States voluntarily quit their jobs, representing 71 percent of all job separations, layoffs, and discharges. Nevertheless, the GSEP Offices of Administrative Affairs and Talent Management in collaboration with relevant departments rallied together and prevailed. Our GSEP family continued to be strongly supported through the Sacred Centering Bible study, PeppPray, and other programs.

Our community engagement remained strong through the work of Jamii, the Foster Grandparents Program, Urban Initiative 2.0, our work with the Union Rescue Mission, and the international doctoral delegation of more than 200 EdD and PhD students to Belize, Egypt, and the UAE. These and numerous other successes at GSEP would not have been possible without our people. Our faculty, staff, and students continue to be the lifeblood of our institution. Together they embody the Pepperdine University mission of purpose, service, and leadership, and they incarnate Christ’s love to a world in need.

This is a difficult letter to write, because it represents my final annual report as your dean. Effective August 1, I began serving as vice chancellor of advancement and professor of education at Pepperdine University. I have given my heart and soul to GSEP, so I am grateful that this new role affords me the opportunity to have a favorable, though perhaps indirect, impact on my dearly beloved GSEP.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my tenure as your dean. Through the many challenges, guided by the hand of God, we set a strategic plan and used it to inform our programming. We intentionally increased collaboration among the faculty, staff, students, alumni, board of visitors, and our external partners, and we attained unprecedented and unquestionable success. More importantly, many great relationships have been forged, and new horizons and vistas have been revealed. I pray that each of you will rejoice over what God has done through us and revel in His faithfulness to us, that you never forget to give Him all the glory, honor, and praise, for He alone is worthy. Though the road ahead for each of us is fraught with uncertainty, please know that you mean more to me than words can say. I will hold you close to my heart and will always keep you in my prayers.

With unabashed love and gratitude, I remain, Sincerely yours

Helen Easterling Williams Vice Chancellor of Advancement Professor of Education Pepperdine University

TRIBUTE TO DEAN WILLIAMS

Helen Easterling Williams Dean of GSEP (2014–2022)

Helen Easterling Williams faithfully served Pepperdine University as dean of the Graduate School of Education and Psychology from 2014 to 2022. Following her service as dean, she stepped into a new role as vice chancellor at Pepperdine University while remaining a tenured professor of education among the GSEP faculty.

Under her leadership as dean, GSEP has made invaluable strategic advances in traditional and online instruction, achieved material enrollment expansion, strengthened scholarship support, and meaningfully advanced the University’s mission of service at the school. Williams created the Lifelong Learning Women’s Forum, sponsored the Margaret J. Weber Distinguished Lecture Series, launched Urban Initiative 2.0, partnered with the Diversity Council to provide multiple educational opportunities to the community, and represented GSEP through countless speaker events, conferences, and workshops that promoted diversity and equity. Having completed the Gallup CliftonStrengths Executive Leadership Training program, her talent for recognizing each individual’s unique giftings and strengths made her deanship one of inclusion and excellence.

Enrollment flourished under dean Williams, establishing GSEP as the largest among all the five Pepperdine schools. She revamped the Education Division, launching four master of science programs, as well as a PhD in Global Leadership and Change program, the first PhD doctoral program at Pepperdine University. The Psychology Division began offering a master of science in behavioral psychology (now master of science in applied behavior analysis), and the PsyD program received a 10-year reaccreditation by the American Psychological Association. She also spearheaded the installation of three fully online psychology programs using global education leader 2U as the online program manager. Since the Psychology Division did not have a presence in the online space, this innovation represented a new enrollment group that propelled GSEP’s revenue growth both online and in person. 2U reported that the online MA in clinical psychology program became the number

one online program of its kind in the world in fewer than five years. In addition, with the help of resources provided through alumni Jack Gershfeld (MA ’12) and Lisa Perrin (MBA ’92, EdD ’13), the three counseling clinics at West Los Angeles, Encino, and Irvine Graduate Campuses were upgraded with state-of-the-art technology making them HIPAA-compliant using secure cloud-based data storage. Optimal Engagement and Immersion Pedagogy, a new and unique classroom experience allowing synchronous, face-to-face, and virtual experience was established to enhance the online instruction experience. It was later expanded into virtual events to equitably support all students with access challenges.

During the eight years that Dean Williams led GSEP, she did so under truly unprecedented challenges and circumstances, yet with panache. Despite social unrest, wildfires, mass shootings, a global pandemic, worldwide tragedies, the death of beloved students and community members, and widespread racism, violence, and terror—she led with strength, empathy, and wisdom, looking to Christ as the author and perfecter of her faith. Always ready to offer encouragement and exhortation, her leadership encouraged the faculty, staff, and students of GSEP to continue to persevere. During the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, she led the transition from a combined instructional format (in person, hybrid, and fully online) to being fully online

in three days. She led the Pepperdine Foster Grandparent Program (FGP), which brought in an additional $350,000 in funding for a total of $1 million. The FGP provided food and home care supplies to more than 150 volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among her countless accomplishments at GSEP, Williams is a locally and globally recognized leader in higher education. She was named 2019 Executive of the Year by the Los Angeles Business Journal Women’s Council. She serves on multiple boards, including those of the LA5 Rotary Foundation and the Union Rescue Mission, providing her voice of wisdom and leadership in the community. She has delivered keynote speeches to audiences all over the United States and in China, Egypt, India, Iran, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates. A dedicated elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, affirmed by the 5th Episcopal District Annual Conference, she is not only a leader in education, but also a pastor and reverend to many. Her guiding scripture for GSEP was Psalm 23:1: “The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want.” As a woman of abiding faith, her dedication to justice and excellence and her commitment to our faculty, staff, students, and alumni continue to leave an indelible mark upon our community. With deep gratitude, we recognize her faithful service as dean of GSEP, and we look forward to her continued influence and work as vice chancellor and professor of education at Pepperdine University.

In addition to her many achievements as dean, the following are selected highlights of accomplishments during her tenure.

2014–2015

• Revised the hiring process at GSEP to ensure greater equity and inclusion

• Presented at the Diversity in Leadership Conference in Long Beach where GSEP received both the 2014 Nexus Award and the 2014 Commitment Award; received the Distinguished Panelist Award

• Established the annual GSEP Research Symposium

• Hosted the GSEP Celebration of Excellence honoring scholarship recipients and donors

2015–2016

• Honored by the United Negro College Fund and the mayor of Los Angeles with the Masked Award

• Awarded the Villager Award by the Afram Global Organization, Inc. and the 2016 Who’s Who Award by the National Council of 100 Black Women-Los Angeles Chapter

• Elected to serve as a member of the American Council on Education Council of Fellows board of directors

2016–2017

• Initiated the development of a new GSEP Strategic Plan

• Supported and enhanced the Executive Innovation Program, a systematic method for assisting doctoral students in completing their dissertations in one academic year

• Received the Association of Pan-African Dissertation Students Trailblazer Award at the organization’s awards luncheon

• Hosted the first GSEP staff retreat in Malibu

• Presented at the California Legislative Black Caucus Juneteenth Celebration at the state capitol in Sacramento where the Pepperdine GSEP efforts to index Freedmen’s Bureau Records were acknowledged

2018–2019

• Selected to be a John A. Widtsoe Foundation fellow

• Awarded the Community Pacemaker Award by mayor Eric Garcetti and the Kingdom Living Community Association

• Presented at the National Women’s Political Council in South Bay

• Honored by the Los Angeles Business Journal Women’s Council as 2019 Executive of the Year

2019–2020

• Doubled online psychology program enrollment

• Led workshops at the Grace Hopper Women in Technology Conference in Orlando, Florida. Presented at the JPL/NASA Women in Stem Conference in Pasadena

• Presented keynote address for the Human Resource Development Conference at the University of Tehran-Iran Online

• Planned and executed the Urban Initiative 2.0 Event at the Ritz Carlton Marina del Rey featuring Cornel West of Harvard University, President Jim Gash (JD ’93), and four GSEP alumni from the 79th and Vermont location

Completed the Gallup Corporation CliftonStrengths 2.0 Accelerated Counseling Training Program and passed the subsequent qualifying exam

• Received award at the Women of Diplomacy Annual Conference from the Consul Corp of Los Angeles

• Joined the Union Rescue Mission board of directors

2020–2021

• Produced a revenue actual at GSEP of +/-90% over revenue projection for FY21

• Co-chaired the Pepperdine President’s Action Advisory Team

• Co-chaired the Vice President of Community Belonging and Chief Diversity Officer Search Committee

2021–2022

• Secured 30 new staff positions to support enrollment growth

• Led doctoral delegation to Egypt

• Served on the ACE (American Council on Education) Professional Development Committee and on the ACE Council of Fellows Finance & Development Committee

• Advanced the GSEP Oral History Project for the 50th Anniversary of GSEP

• Served as Keynote Speaker for Church Women United

• Delivered Keynote Speech for Association of Pan-African Doctoral Scholars

• Hosted the Urban Initiative 2.0 Community Dinner at GSEP with Cornel West as the keynote speaker

SPECIAL ACADEMIC PROGRAMS OFFERED AT GSEP

Margaret J. Weber Distinguished Lecture Series

• The theme for the 2021–2022 Margaret J. Weber Distinguished Lecture Series was “Christ in Action.” Each speaker provided insight from their professional and personal experiences on how God has redefined success in their lives and continues to make their work more effective, reliable, and lasting. The scholars and thought leaders welcomed by the GSEP community included: Fearless Leadership, presented by Sandy Heydt, founder and CEO, Heydt Marketing and development advisor, Space Perspective

• And There Are Many Obstacles, presented by Julianne Malveaux, dean of the College of Ethnic Studies, California State University, Los Angeles

• Be Not Afraid, Christ Is with You, presented by Josefina Castillo Baltodano, founder and executive director of the Executive Leadership Academy, University of California, Berkeley

Lifelong Learning Women’s Forum

Eight sessions were presented, each with its own topic and keynote speaker, for the 2021–2022 season of the Lifelong Learning Women’s Forum. In total, 226 attendees participated via Zoom to gain scholarly and innovative insights related to issues that shape our world. The monthly Lifelong Learning Women’s Forum events were founded by Kathy Danhakl (’02) and are endowed by the Danhakl family. The sessions were private virtual events, but a recording of all presentations can be viewed on the GSEP YouTube channel. The season’s events included:

• Living a Transformational, Not a Transactional Life, presented by Gimel Rogers (MA ’12, PsyD ’16), faculty and associate director Online MAP/MACLP Programs

• The Building Blocks of Wealth: It’s More Than Just Money, presented by Terri Spath, founder and chief investment officer for Zuma Wealth

• Hormone Health: What Are Your Hormones Trying to Tell You?, presented by Denise Pines, board of directors member, Federation of State Medical Board, with Julie E., health advocate and registered dietitian

• Positive Psychology: Strategies to Increase Happiness, Motivation, and Energy, presented by Jocelyn Clegg

• Expecting the Unexpected: A Conversation with Russ Kino, presented by Russ Kino, medical director, Saint John’s Health Center Emergency Services

• Autism Acceptance: Moving Beyond Awareness and Toward Allyship, presented by Lusineh Gharapetian, clinical assistant professor

• Creating Positive Interactions through Emotional Connection, presented by alumna and creator of the Emotional Connection process (EmC), Lola Gershfeld (MA ’05)

• The Letters of Hannah Whitman Heyde: Intimate Partner Violence and the Life of a 19th-Century American Woman, presented by Maire Mullins, Blanche E. Seaver Chair of English Literature, Seaver College

GSEP Annual Research Symposium

The school’s Annual Research Symposium is an opportunity for faculty and students to share their research and projects with one another as well as the broader professional and academic community. The symposium for 2021–2022, held in June 2022, featured Thema Davis (MDiv ’16), Shelly Harrell, and Daryl Rowe discussing “The Trauma of Racism.”

The event showcased more than 50 research efforts being conducted at GSEP.

University of California, Berkeley Leadership Academy

The goal of the Executive Leadership Academy is to help prepare future executive administrators for the new higher education world. The theme for the 2021–2022 academic year was “Leading in a Multicultural Environment,” which was chosen by the academy because members believe we are in an age of fundamental and accelerating change in higher education. In addition, they shared that among the major propelling forces are the constantly expanding capabilities of information technology and broadband communication, the forces of globalization, diminished public funding of higher education as a recognized public good to society, and rapid demographic change, especially in multicultural and multinational environments worldwide.

Hosted by the University of California, Berkeley, this event included a group of 474 fellow alumni that have previously graduated and are now moving forward in their professional careers. Many have advanced to positions as deans, provosts, chancellors, and presidents. Current GSEP staff Yas Hardaway, Renee Dorn (EdD ’13), Shanetta Weatherspoon (EdD ’13), Lonnie McNamee (MA ’13, EdD ’17), and Vanessa Jahn (’99) attended the event.

FACULTY ACHIEVEMENTS

THEMA BRYANT (MDIV ’16)

Thema Bryant, professor of psychology and director of the Culture and Trauma Research Lab at GSEP, was elected the first president of the American Psychological Association (APA) under the age of 50, and the fourth Black woman to hold the role. The APA is the leading scientific and professional organization representing the field of psychology in the United States. The 2021 election was open to APA members—which includes more than 122,000 clinicians, consultants, educators, researchers, and students.

“This historic vote means a lot to me as it is an endorsement of my platform, which centers around addressing trauma, loss, and inequities,” said Bryant. “As a trauma psychologist, I felt this was the right time for me to lead as we seek to address both COVID-19 recovery and racism, as well as other forms of oppression. This is a significant moment for Pepperdine because of its foundational values of seeing faith and scholarship in partnership rather than in opposition, especially as I continue to highlight the role that faith, spirituality, and religion play in the realm of mental health.”

As the organization’s president, Bryant serves as chair of the APA Council of Representatives and board of directors. Under the guidance of her presidential platform, “Thriving in a Post Pandemic World: Applying Psychological Science to Enhance People’s Lives,” her leadership will focus primarily on addressing trauma and loss; attending to inequities and injustices; rebuilding communities; promoting holistic psychology in relation to the body, culture, and spirituality; and incorporating the expressive arts.

CARRIE L. CASTAÑEDA-SOUND

Carrie Castañeda-Sound was the 2021–2022 president of the American Psychological Association’s Division 35, the Society for the Psychology of Women. She also guest co-edited “Feminist Liberation with Latinx Women,” a special issue of the journal Women & Therapy. With Marlene Cabrera (MA ‘15, PsyD ’20), she co-authored the journal’s article “Mujerista Psychology: A Case Study Centering Latinx Empowerment in Psychotherapy.”

WEINA CHEN (MA ’14, P hD ’21)

Weina Chen, along with Jennifer MiyakeTrapp and Kevin Wong, published “Cultivating Connection and Social Presence Through Activities in Virtual Language Classrooms” in the 2022 edition of the California Association for Bilingual Education’s journal Multilingual Educator She collaborated with faculty and staff on eight conference presentations and served in leadership roles with multiple professional organizations, including the TESOL International Association.

KAY DAVIS (E dD ’86)

Kay Davis was the 2021 winner of the Pepperdine Howard A. White Award for Teaching Excellence. Davis’s courses are academically rigorous and her commitment to student success is unparalleled. She strives for mastery and inspires her students to push themselves to think critically and creatively.

JAMES DELLANEVE AND SANTOR NISHIZAKI

James Dellaneve and Santor Nishizaki were featured in the Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, PsychologyToday, and the Boston Globe regarding their recently published work Working with Gen Z: A Handbook to Recruit, Retain, and Reimagine the Future Workforce after COVID-19

REYNA GARCIA-RAMOS

In March 2022 Reyna García-Ramos was elected to serve as the secretary of the California Association of Bilingual Teacher Education. She is working with faculty across the state on issues related to bilingual authorization, dual-language instruction, and the recruitment of bilingual teachers. She is excited to contribute to the organization and join forces with colleagues at other colleges and universities to examine bilingual training programs and use this experience to shape the bilingual authorization program for GSEP.

LUSINEH GHARAPETIAN

Lusineh Gharapetian was elected to the board of directors for the California Association for Behavior Analysis (CalABA) in 2021. She served as the conference chair for the 41st annual Western Regional Conference on Behavior Analysis and is a member of CalABA’s equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) committee and the fiscal committee. In her first year as co-chair of the conference in 2022, she established an award to recognize individuals making significant contributions to the advancement of EDI in the applied behavior analysis field.

SUSAN HALL

In collaboration with student Jessica Burns, Susan Hall received the 2021 Poster Award for Translational Research from APA’s Division 53: Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology for their poster, “Comprehensive Table of Risk Assessment Tools Used in Emergency Departments with Pediatric Patients.”

JUDY HO

Judy Ho coauthored I’ll Give It to You Straightish: What Your Teen Wants You to Know. with teenager and podcast host Max Dubrow. The book provides science-driven clinical insights and parenting strategies for parents of teens, with a focus on Gen Z.

LAURA HYATT (MBA ’99, E dD ’03)

Laura Hyatt coauthored seven contributions to various publications, including “Emergence and Sensemaking in Complex Global Systems: Practical Implications for Leaders Post-COVID-19” in Crisis and Chaos and Organizations: The Coronavirus and Lessons for Organizational Theory. Hyatt also presented work at the sixth annual GSEP Research Symposium 2022, the American Educational Research Association 2022 Annual Meeting, and the 20th annual Hawaii International Conference on Education. She was also invited to serve on the review board for the Journal of Leadership Education .

CARY MITCHELL (’76)

Cary Mitchell’s cowritten article, “The Relationship of Trauma History, Substance Misuse, and Religious Coping to Trauma Symptoms among Homeless Men in Residential Treatment: A Preliminary Study,” was published in the Archives of Psychiatry Research. Mitchell also presented his work “Justice System Involvement and Mental Health Symptoms Among Homeless Persons” at the annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association. Mitchell’s work has been instrumental in obtaining grant support for GSEP’s wellness and mental health treatment programs at the Union Rescue Mission, and Angeles House, the mission’s bridge housing program for families experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles.

ADEL NAJDOWSKI

Adel Najdowski published the second edition of A Workbook of Ethical Case Scenarios in Applied Behavior Analysis, a book about teaching play skills to individuals with autism, a book chapter about women faculty in behavior analysis using values-based living to thrive, a paper reviewing the use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in the context of applied behavior analysis services, and three additional studies related to teaching individuals with autism. Najdowski also served on the board of directors for the Behavior Analyst Certification Board and on the board of editors for the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis

ED SHAFRANSKE

Ed Shafranske generously served as GSEP Faculty Association president for the 2021–2022 academic year. He also gave a major plenary address, “Beyond the Usual: Best Practices in Clinical Supervision” at the Massachusetts Psychology Association Training Conference and was the featured speaker at the 45th annual Symposium on Psychoanalysis, Spirituality, and the Modern World at the Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute and Society. His chapter, “The scientific study of positive psychology, religion/spirituality, and mental health” was published in the Handbook of Positive Psychology, Religion, and Spirituality.

ERLANGER TURNER

Erlanger Turner cowrote the chapter “The State of Black Mental Health: Understanding Disparities Through the Lens of Critical Race Psychology,” in Critical Race Studies Across Disciplines: Resisting Racism through Scholactivism and “Confronting Anti-Black Racism and Promoting Social Justice: Applications through Social Media” in Making Black Lives Matter: Confronting Anti-Black Racism. He was the 2021 Emerging Professionals Contributions to Service awardee from the Society for the Psychological Study for Culture, Ethnicity, and Race. He is an advisory board member for the Sesame Street Racial Justice Initiative and an associate editor for African Americans in Psychology: A Series of the Oxford African American Studies Center.

JENNIFER VAUGHN

Jennifer Vaughn published her article, “Agentic and Receptive Hope: Understanding Hope in the Context of Religiousness and Spirituality Through the Narratives of Salvadoran Youth,” in Religions The study explored how hope is shaped and empowered by ideological and relational contexts. In addition, she presented her research about the health of young children of immigrants’ as part of a symposium titled, “Children of Immigrants Making Meaning During Expanded Immigration Enforcement: Unequal Citizenship, Discrimination & Family Separation” at the 2022 Society for Research in Child Development Special Topic Meeting. In May 2022, Vaughn also received the 2021 Provost Research Grant for her research on the impacts of immigration enforcement on young children of immigrants’ physical and mental health.

KEVIN WONG

Kevin M. Wong published seven peerreviewed journal articles during the 2021–2022 academic year on topics related to language learning through educational media, blended teaching and learning, and critical, humanizing pedagogies for language learners. His work was featured in the Journal of Educational Psychology, Computer Assisted Language Learning, TESOL Journal, Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, and System. Wong was a finalist for the Spencer Foundation’s Racial Equity Grant, and secured a Provost Grant for a pilot study on critical narratives in multiracial children’s storybooks, which was presented at the annual American Educational Research Association conference. In his first year as the MA in TESOL chair, Wong secured a number of global partnerships, added specializations and a research capstone to the MA in TESOL program, and spearheaded a TESOL fall research symposium.

NOTEWORTHY EVENTS

California Association for Bilingual Education Conference

The Pepperdine chapter of the California Association for Bilingual Education (CABE) participated in the organization’s joint delegate assembly and annual conference, held virtually.

CABE Pepperdine Chapter leaders recommended names of 2 eligible MAT candidates for Teacherships and Janet Lee, MAT SS Candidate was selected from nominations from across the state. The Teachership award came with free registration to the CABE 2022 Annual Conference, recognition at the conference, and an award of $2,000 to pursue the Bilingual Authorization.

2022 Meet the Schools

The 2022 Meet the Schools K–12 virtual event was held in partnership with Pepperdine’s Teacher Preparation Program. The event consisted of a five-person K–12 administrator panel and 12 school/district breakout sessions. Nearly 100 attendees participated in the program.

Commencements

On May 21, 2022, GSEP held two commencement ceremonies to celebrate and honor the year’s graduates. The Education Division ceremony hosted 205 graduates, and approximately 3,000 guests. The commencement speaker and honorary degree recipient was Ambassador Chesley Sullenberger, who is best known for the exceptional courage and judgment he displayed in 2009 when he and his crew safely guided US Airways Flight 1549 to an emergency water landing in New York City’s Hudson River, during what has been called the “Miracle on the Hudson.”

The Psychology Division ceremony celebrated 596 graduates, and an estimated 6,500 guests. The commencement address was given by alumnus Edrick Dorian (PsyD ’03). Dr. Dorian oversees the Behavioral Sciences Services division of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) as the organization’s chief police psychologist. His team of substance abuse counselors, a dietitian, and fellow police psychologists provides training, therapy, and crisis support for the department’s personnel.

SPECIAL COMMUNITY PROGRAMS OFFERED BY GSEP

Sacred Centering

Sacred Centering is a monthly devotional gathering of GSEP faculty, staff, students, and alumni who join together to pause, focus on God’s sanctity, and allow for the renewal of their collective spirits. With its hybrid format, Sacred Centering connects community members from across campuses, regions, and modalities. During 2021–2022, offerings included:

• The Spiritual Practice of Slowing, led by Vanesa Jahn (’99), GSEP cultural attaché

• Lectio Divina, led by Zac Luben (’05, MDiv ’14), associate chaplain and Parker King, graduate student minister

• God’s Ultimate Gift: The Birth of Jesus, the Christ Child, led by Weina Chen (MA ’14, PhD ’21), GSEP visiting instructor

• Prayer: Connecting to God’s Success, led by Parsa Pekar, adjunct psychology faculty

• Irish Prayer, Karen Magner (MA ’00, EdD ’10), manager of admission and enrollment for the online psychology programs

• The Suffering Son, led by Mirtha Eckles, GSEP client technologies analyst

Remembering Your Faith, led by Michael Eagle (EdD ’20), alumnus

• Embracing Interruptions, led by Charles Gross, (MA ’07, PhD ’19), alumnus

Pepp Pray Guideposts

On a monthly basis throughout the academic year, members of the GSEP community contributed to the school’s PeppPray service, offering an encouraging email, called GSEP Guideposts, to the GSEP community. These posts focus on a Bible passage and point to God’s love, promises, and truth. Past guideposts can be viewed at: gsep.pepperdine.edu/studentlife/spiritual/sacred-centering/guidepost/

• Trusting God’s Plan and Purpose, written by Lonnie McNamee (MA ’13, EdD ’17), assistant dean of faculty development and administrative affairs and visiting professor of education

• A Heart of Gratitude, written by Terrance Cao, senior certification manager, Teacher Preparation Program

• In This Season: Celebrate with One Another, Think of Others, and Praise the Lord, written by Renee Dorn (EdD ’13), director of alumni relations

• Love Thy Neighbor, written by Natasha Thapar-Olmos, associate professor of psychology

• The Lord Is My Shepherd; I Shall Not Want, written by Aimee Gregory, education student. She included an original art piece with her Guidepost

• Seeking Wisdom, Bo Waltz, financial-aid advisor

• A Prayer for Perseverance, Erika Kercheval, executive assistant to the dean

• Practice Your Patience Quotient, Christina Krespis, psychology student

• Seek Justice, Love Kindness, and Walk in Humility, Mirtha Eckles, client technologies analyst

• Childlike Faith: Confidence, Assurance, and Hope, Keven Wong, assistant professor of education

Urban Initiative 2.0 Community Gathering

GSEP’s Urban Initiative 2.0 seeks to link community partners committed to understanding and addressing the mental health and educational issues of the underserved in Los Angeles and around the world. On March 11, 2022, our community gathered and were inspired by the keynote speaker, Cornel West, and celebrated GSEP’s own Thema Bryant’s election as president of the American Psychological Association under the age of 50, and the fourth Black woman to hold the position.

At the event, GSEP also honored two GSEP alumni trailblazers from the original 79th and Vermont Pepperdine campus who exemplify the GSEP Urban Initiative mission, Pat Bankhead (MS ’75) and Earl McDowell (MA ’79). The program also highlighted the 6,953 persons of color from current and legacy programs to receive degrees from Pepperdine since its inception.

Foster Grandparent Program

On July 15, 2022, the Foster Grandparent Program at Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP) held the Golden Gala to celebrate the program’s 50 years of service to students, community organizations, and more in the Los Angeles area. The event was emceed by actress and voice-over artist Janora McDuffie and featured a keynote from Dean Williams and a performance from Broadway actress and singer Kuper Walker.

For the 2021–2022 program year, the program supported 153 volunteers who served 156,496 hours at 19 schools and community-based organizations located across Los Angeles County. Through the volunteers’ commitment to service, more than 5,800 youth and their families were positively impacted

Over the last several years, the program has grown substantially through expanded grant funding, community partnerships, and volunteer participation. Shanetta Weatherspoon (EdD ’13), who is the third executive director in the program’s history, quickly mobilized at the start of the pandemic to equip grandparent volunteers with technology skills to continue to serve students safely through virtual environments. The program provided volunteers with 131 laptops and more than 215 hours of IT training sessions through partnerships with the CTA Foundation, RevComm Consulting, and the GSEP IT support staff. The program continues to provide IT support in order to implement hybrid service to the community.

DIVERSITY AND BELONGING AT GSEP

Diversity and Belonging at Work

In collaboration with Wisdom Labs, the GSEP Diversity Council presented an in-depth conversation with Shelly Harrell, GSEP faculty member and licensed psychologist. Harrell led 65 GSEP faculty, staff, and students through a guided practice on diversity and belonging at work and illuminated how mindfulness and compassion practices can create cultures of well-being. A recording of this presentation can be viewed on Vimeo.

GSEP Student Body

White 43%

Unknown 3%

Two or more races 5%

Hispanic/Latinx 20%

Black/African American 8%

Asian/Asian American 12%

GSEP Cultural Heritage Page

Created in collaboration with the Diversity Council and Alumni Relations, the site celebrates the diversity of our GSEP community through commemorating holidays, nominating GSEP professionals, and providing resources.

CAREER SERVICES

Career Programs

Handshake: Handshake, Pepperdine’s career portal, provides access to employment listings (including student employment), events, resources, and appointments. All Pepperdine students are provided with Handshake accounts and continue to have access as alumni.

• Self-marketing documents (e.g., resumes) reviewed/approved on Handshake by GSEP Career Services: Total for 2021–2022: 519

• Education and psychology employment opportunities posted on Handshake: Total for 2021–2022: 18,942

Jobscan: Jobscan is an AI-powered online platform designed to help optimize resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles for applicant tracking systems.

• Total GSEP users since 2020: 259 (For 2021–2022: 34)

• Total GSEP scans since 2020: 1,103 (For 2021–2022: 340)

MentorWorks Talent Accelerator Platform: MentorWorks Talent Accelerator Platform (TAP) provides all interested students and alumni with a free online, self-paced, job-search prep course specifically built with job seekers of all levels in mind. Currently the platform is integrated into the Social Entrepreneurship and Change curriculum and promoted to recent graduates who are still seeking employment.

Emsi-BurningGlass: Emsi BurningGlass uses a sophisticated analytics platform to access labor market insights, academic program insights, and other real-time data sets. In May 2022 GSEP Career Services initiated this partnership in collaboration with GSEP Enrollment and Marketing and the Graziadio Business School.

JAMII: Communities of Practice: Jamii is a Swahili term for “community.” The Jamii Communities of Practice programs are designed to provide up-to-date insights on career trends in education and psychology, while building a professional network of students, alumni, and industry leaders. GSEP Career Services and Alumni Relations partner to host a Fall #Jamii Career Webinar Series, consisting of moderated Q&A panels, and a Spring #Jamii Career Connect Series, consisting of interactive learning sessions.

The Fall 2021 #Jamii Career Webinar Series were held monthly, engaging approximately 216 participants. Topics included: “Publishing Your First Article or Book,” “Careers with a Cause: Social Impact Pathways,” and, in partnership with the Pepperdine Student Veteran Affairs office, “From Classrooms to Careers: Career Transitions for Pepperdine’s Military-Connected Community.”.

The Spring 2022 #Jamii Career Connect Series attracted an estimated 384 participants. Topics included: “Higher Ed Teaching: Getting Your Foot in the Door”; “Top Secret Career Paths: Landing Government Jobs in the CIA, FBI, and Federal Bureau of Prisons”; and Specializations in Psychology: Pursuing Your Own Niche.”

Career Design Sessions and Document and Social Media Consults: Career design sessions support students and alumni with clarifying their professional purpose, creating a job placement strategy, and developing an action plan. Document and social media consults provide custom feedback on resumes/CVs, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles, as well as guidance on online career tools, including Handshake, PeppConnect ,and Jobscan. During the 2021–2022 academic year, GSEP students took advantage of 552 such sessions and consults.

Alumni Careers

• Public School Districts

• Intervention Services

• Government

• Therapy Centers

• Private Schools

• 501(c)(3) Community Services

• Faith Organizations

• Publicly Traded Companies

• Recruiting Agencies

• Medical Centers

• Law Firms Real Estate Firms

• Consultants

• Treatment Centers

• Healthcare

• Higher Education

STUDENT SERVICES

The Student Services Office restructured the advising area of the department to provide more oversight and student support, including hiring an additional academic advisor to the Education Division. The team also supported the students with the transition back to on-campus operations. Additionally, the office also partnered with the Office of Student Accessibility, Office of International Student Services, Student Health Center, Counseling Center, Student Care Team, and the RISE program in an expansion of student services.

The GSEP Writing Support team served students with 2,320 appointments last year; it completed 112 writing presentations in classes, relaunched its dissertation boot camp, offered its Virtual Open House to introduce its services to new and returning students, and initiated the “Jumpstart Your Writing” series with monthly webinars.

New Tech Initiatives

Students in the popular clinical psychology programs received an upgrade to their record keeping with the successful integration of Tevera, a platform for tracking student hours in practicum and reporting on their progress,

Psychology students in the doctoral program now enjoy the use of a telehealth system for interacting with clients.

In collaboration with the virtual initiatives team, GSEP implemented audio and visual improvements, enhancing the experience of all virtual event attendees.

Hands-On Counseling

To provide both practical experience to Psychology Division students and serve the community with affordable counseling, GSEP manages counseling clinics in West Los Angeles and Irvine. The clinics offer high-quality, individualized psychological services and support to the Pepperdine and external communities. Master’s- and doctorallevel interns staff the clinics with training and supervision by licensed psychologists. Evaluations and therapy plans are specifically tailored for individual clients, who pay based on a sliding scale according to annual income and number of dependents. The clinics are not revenuegenerating entities and are subsidized by the Dean’s Excellence Fund.

STUDENT ENROLLMENT AND ACADEMIC PURSUITS

Fall 2021 Enrollment

3,626 Students

956 New Students

5 Doctoral Programs

15 Master’s Programs

1,934 In person

1,676 Online

Doctoral Programs and Program Chairs

• EdD in Educational Leadership, Administration, and Policy | Ebony Cain

• EdD in Learning Technologies | Jennifer Miyake-Trapp

• EdD in Organizational Leadership | Laura Hyatt

• PhD in Global Leadership & Change | June Schmieder-Ramirez

• PsyD in Clinical Psychology | Edward Shafranske

Master’s Programs and Program Chairs

• MA in Clinical Psychology (evening) | Carrie Castañeda-Sound

• MA in Clinical Psychology (daytime) | Stephanie Woo

• MA in Clinical Psychology (online) | Natasha Thapar-Olmos, Robert deMayo, Stephanie Woo

MA in Clinical Psychology (with Latinx Communities) | Miguel Gallardo

MA in Psychology | Robert deMayo

• MA in Psychology (online) | Natasha Thapar-Olmos, Robert deMayo, Stephanie Woo

• MA in Social Entrepreneurship & Change | Stephen Kirnon

• MA in Teaching | Reyna García Ramos

• MA in TESOL | Kevin Wong

• MA in Psychology (online) | Natasha Thapar-Olmos, Robert deMayo, Stephanie Woo

• MS in Applied Behavior Analysis | Adel Najdowski

• MS in Applied Behavior Analysis (online) | Adel Najdowski

• MS in Leadership in Higher Education | Jennifer Miyake-Trapp

• MS in Learning Design and Technology | Jennifer Miyake-Trapp

• MS in Leadership in Pre-K to 12 | Jennifer Miyake-Trapp

• MS in Organizational Leadership and Learning | Jennifer Miyake-Trap

Pepperdine University Teacher Preparation Program and MA in Teaching

The MA in Teaching Program (MAT) admitted 101 students in fall 2021, its largest cohort in 10 years. The program awarded more than $51,000 through endowed scholarships and internal funds, which have been used to pay down student debt for 15 MAT candidates that completed their program in the fall of 2021 and summer of 2022. The awards were announced at the graduate capstone symposiums.

GSEP ALUMNI UPDATE

GSEP Alumni - 22,616

Alumni Giving

The GSEP Alumni Committee reviews all Give a Gift of Education (GAGE) applications for scholarships to newly admitted students. For 2021–2022, $153,000 was provided through the program to 120 applicants.

Donations in 2021–2022 - $4,705,239 from 760 alumni

School of Education Alumni - 6,155

GSEP Alumni Race/Ethnicity

Caucasian - 48.9%

Mexican American - 1.4%

Other Hispanic Latinx - 9.7%

Asian - 8.6%

Puerto Rican American - 0.1%

American Indian or Alaskan Native - 0.6%

Pacific Islander - 0.3%

African American/Black - 8.4%

Unknown/Other/Not Listed - 21.9%

GSEP Alumni Relations has been collaborating with Career Services, Office of Admissions, Student Services, and Marketing to provide programs and promote projects to benefit our GSEP community.

In addition to our student/alumni roundtables and Zoom unions, Alumni Relations has engaged GSEP alumni to participate in programs such as our GAGE Scholarship Committee, Academic Program Information Sessions, and #Jamii Career Webinars.”

Renee Dorn (EdD ’13) Director of Alumni Relation

DEAN’S EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM 2021–2022

Helen Easterling Williams

Former Dean and Professor of Education

Robert deMayo

Associate Dean of Psychology and Professor Psychology

Farzin Madjidi, (MBA ‘88, EdD ‘91) Interim Dean 2022–2023 Professor of Leadership

Lonnie McNamee (MA ’13, EdD ’17) Assistant Dean of Faculty Development and Administrative Affairs

Natasha Thapar-Olmos

Assistant Dean of Online Psychology Programs and Associate Professor of Psychology

Stephanie Woo

Assistant Dean of Online Psychology Programs and Professor of Psychology

Erika Kercheval

Executive Assistant to the Dean

Shanetta Weatherspoon (EdD ’13) Executive Director, Foster Grandparent Program

Yas Hardaway

Executive Director, Career Services

Luke Phillips

Executive Director, Marketing and Enrollment

Michelle Blas (MA ’12) Senior Director, Student Success

Hairong Gi Senior Director, Finance

Vanessa Jahn (’99) Cultural Attaché

Laura Galloway

Director, Development

Renee Dorn (EdD ’13) Director, Alumni Relations

Farzin Madjidi was appointed interim dean of GSEP effective August 1, 2022. As a member of the Pepperdine community, from a graduate student, to a faculty member, to associate dean of the Education Division, he has been an exceptional scholar and practitioner in leadership, technology, and diversity.

After serving as the inaugural assistant dean of online psychology programs, Natasha Thapar-Olmos stepped down from her position to serve as associate professor and PsyD research coordinator. Stephanie Woo joined the dean’s executive leadership team as the new assistant dean of online psychology programs.

Under the leadership of Robert deMayo, the Psychology Division continues to be a model of constructive initiatives promoting justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion and initiating important antiracism efforts across all its programs. The division is engaged in meaningful dialogue and collaborative planning to ensure that the curriculum will provide students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes they need to serve diverse communities experiencing the trauma of racism and other forms of oppression.

GSEP BOARD OF VISITORS 2021–2022

Our Board of Visitors generously support our school, enabling us to carry our University vision and mission. We are grateful for each of their contributions.

Betty Uribe (MBA ’00, EdD ’12) (Chair)

Yolanda Aguerrebere (MS ’83, EdD ’09)

Fereshteh Amin (EdD ’06)

Evelyn Booth (MA ’15)

Shreyas Gandhi (MBA ’98, EdD ’09, PhD ’20)

Jacqueline Macias (EdD ’16)

Claudette McLinn (MS ’83, EdD ’06)

Mariellen Pepperdine Ostwald (’00, MA ’01)

Richard Sherman

Earnestine Thomas Robertson (’69, MA ’73, EdD ’03)

Amanda Wickramasinghe (EdD ’16, PhD ’20))

Marilyn Wright (MA ’89, PsyD ’95)

Farshid Zanjani (EdD ’14)

Board of Visitors Scholarship Recipients

Abeni Carr: In 2019 Abeni Carr launched her nonprofit, Haven’s House Youth Services, a multifunction organization aimed at meeting the educational, residential, and supplemental needs of students, specifically those experiencing housing instability and human trafficking. She holds a BA in English from California State University, Northridge, an MA in education from California State University, Los Angeles, and an MA in educational leadership from California State University, Dominguez Hills.

Jeannette Hutton Pugh: Jeannette Hutton Pugh currently works full-time at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center as associate director, Academic and Leadership Search in its Human Resources and Organization Development department. She holds a BSE from Princeton University and an MSE from the University of Pennsylvania.

FINANCIAL SUMMARY 2021–2022

Revenue FY15 to FY22 - 251%

Expense Savings Actuals vs. Budget FY15 and FY22

GSEP established various student aid scholarships to assist students with their financial needs and to award those with excellent academic performance and/or community service.

Revenue Increase from FY15 to FY22

Revenue

GSEP experienced a 243% increase in total revenue from the 2014–2015 academic year (FY15) to the 2021–2022 academic year (FY22).

• 83% increase from FY15 to FY22 (psychology in-person programs) and 62% increase from FY15 to FY22 (education in-person programs), representing a 74% revenue increase from FY15 to FY22 in in-person programs.

• 2,216% increase from FY18 to FY22 (online psychology programs), with the MA in Clinical Psychology program bringing in more than half of the total revenue of the online psychology programs for FY22.

Expenses

As we increased our revenue by triple percentage points, our savings increased even more. GSEP has been operating on a lean budget, consistently spending even less than our allotted expense funds. In fact, in FY22, we slightly underspent our budgeted expense by $0.7M vs. FY15 $0.5M.

Net Contribution to the University

As a top contributor from Pepperdine University’s five schools, GSEP’s net income helps fund the institution. GSEP’s in-person education and psychology programs brought in 56 precent more income in FY21 than FY15, and including the net revenue from our online psychology programs, GSEP’s net contribution increased by 100 percent.

Student Aid

From FY15 to FY22 GSEP has consistently increased our student aid available. For 2021–2022, the school had more than $9 million available to students.