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