Message from Dean Heather Lattimer

WHAT. A. YEAR. IT. HAS. BEEN.

Throughout this tumultuous year, I have been exceedingly grateful and proud to be part of the SJSU Lurie College of Education community. When we transitioned to “shelter in place” in March, our faculty and staff did a remarkable job of quickly pivoting to support our students and community partners. There was an immediate recognition of the multi-layered impacts that the pandemic would bring and a deep commitment to caring for our community.

Our team organized online teaching workshops for our faculty and K12 partners, provided laptops and mobile devices to students who otherwise wouldn’t have access to remote learning, hosted community building events, made phone calls to check in on the well being of students and colleagues, strengthened our outreach efforts to prospective students and their families, and raised funds to support students who were at risk of not being able to continue in their degree read through the pages that follow, I believe that you will also

programs as a result of lost incomes due to the economic downturn.

As we’ve witnessed the societal inequities and structural injustices that have been laid bare and exacerbated by COVID-19, our core educational mission at Lurie College has taken on even greater urgency. In January, our college unanimously adopted a bold, forwardlooking strategic plan. The plan affirmed our priorities as a college with the statement found on the front cover of this report, and pushed us engaged, culturally sustaining, interdisciplinary, and holistic. The racial justice movements that have gained momentum across the country this year have further strengthened our resolve and pushed us to examine and reform racist and unjust policies, practices, language, and norms that persist within our own systems. I’m grateful for our students, faculty, staff, and alumni who have repeatedly demonstrated their commitment to working for educational equity and racial justice.

In the midst of multiple global crises, our college has also successfully earned full accreditation renewal from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing; launched new degree, scholarship, and residency programs; increased our student enrollments and faculty research activity; and strengthened our community engagement.

It has been a challenging and unpredictable year, but as you to pursue new initiatives that would make our work more community

find reason for gratitude, pride, and hope in the work of our Lurie College students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

With appreciation --

Heather Lattimer, EdD Dean and Professor SJSU Connie L. College of Education