INTELLIGENTSIA Chris Colwell, EdD
Head of the Class In the latest National Council on Teacher Quality report, “Teacher Prep Review: Program Diversity and Admissions 2021,” Stetson’s Elementary Education program placed in the top 5% (59 out of 1,256 institutions) nationally for admission standards and diversity. The report by NCTQ, a nonprofit research and policy organization that works to modernize the teaching profession, analyzed the diversity of elementary-teacher preparation programs by comparing the diversity of the teacher candidates enrolled in the program to the diversity of the state teacher workforce and local community where the program is located. NCTQ also evaluated the elementary education programs’ admission standards, including SAT/ACT performance, audition expectations and applicants’ GPA. In 2019, research published in Sage Journals’ “Review of Educational Research” showed that Black students and Latino/a students scored higher on standardized tests and had more positive behavioral outcomes when they were assigned to a teacher of the same race/ethnicity. “The education department’s strategic plan has a focus on program diversity and recruiting a diverse teacher workforce,” said Chris Colwell, EdD, Stetson Department of Education chair and associate professor. “The national recognition of the work that the entire Stetson community supports in identifying, recruiting and graduating talented and diverse educators is a wonderful achievement.” — Sandra Carr
8
STETSON | Spring 2021
DID YOU KNOW? This winter, Stetson University College of Law inducted Richard O. “Dick” Jacobs and Madison M. Mosley Jr., PhD, into its Hall of Fame. Jacobs is a 1967 graduate of Stetson Law who in 2016 created (with his wife) the Dick and Joan Jacobs Environmental Law Externship Fund to provide financial assistance for students to pursue the “dirty hands, wet feet” experiences. This year, he launched the Stetson Environmental Tax Policy Writing Competition for students to develop innovative tax law policies to fund solutions for sea level rise. Also, his vision for Stetson Law continues to expand, with the creation of a Center for Environmental Justice now underway. Mosley is a 1992 graduate of Stetson Law who earlier had received a doctorate in library science from Florida State University in 1980. Mosley’s most prolific work was as an executive board member of the Florida Library Association. Mosley was considered a leader in the field who made significant contributions to libraries and librarianship. He mentored many students and other librarians throughout his service to Stetson, the community and the profession. Mosley continued those efforts until his unexpected death in 2005 at age 55.
