TRANSFORMING EDUCATION, TRANSFORMING LIVES
Strategic Plan 2024-2029
University of Maryland College of Education
TRANSFORMING EDUCATION,
“Our strategic plan envisions a future where the College of Education is a key player in building a more equitable society for all.”
Dean Kimberly Griffin
LETTER FROM DEAN KIMBERLY GRIFFIN
Dear EdTerps community,
I am pleased to share with you Transforming Education, Transforming Lives, the University of Maryland College of Education’s new strategic plan. Aligned with the university’s strategic plan, Fearlessly Forward, this document outlines our college’s mission, values, vision, impact areas, and goals and objectives for the next five years, as we work to transform education for good.
Developed in collaboration with students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters, our strategic plan envisions a future where the College of Education is a key player in building a more equitable society for all. This plan will guide us as we leverage EdTerps’ strengths and expertise to address the grand challenges of our time. From bolstering the educator workforce; to promoting equity and social justice; to improving outcomes in literacy and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning; to facilitating civic learning and engagement to strengthen democracy, EdTerps have a crucial role to play in building healthier communities and a more just and equitable world.
Education is the foundation of a thriving society. I am proud of the important work the College of Education community does every day to increase knowledge, prepare and support the next generation of educators and leaders, and address pressing problems alongside our community partners.
I would like to thank all of the EdTerps whose wisdom, insights and hard work shaped the development of this strategic plan. Each member of our community is valued and essential to our work to transform education for good, in our local communities, state, nation and world.
Kimberly A. Griffin, Ph.D. Dean of the College of Education University of Maryland
OVERVIEW
The College of Education is a vibrant, dynamic community where impactful research, innovative programs and collaborative partnerships drive equitable and transformative change in schools and communities across the state, nation and world.
Our commitment to the public good is unwavering. We engage in research that spans education, counseling, human development and quantitative methodology, and leads to creative solutions to the grand challenges of our times. Through our research-to-practice partnerships, we bridge the gap between academic research and classroom practices. We play a pivotal role in shaping education-focused policy and legislation, such as the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.
At the heart of our work is a dedication to preparing the next generation of equityand culturally minded educators, counselors, psychologists, researchers, administrators, policymakers and leaders. To do this, we partner with school leaders, elected officials and other members of the education community to provide our students with experiential and community-based learning opportunities that equip them with the knowledge and skills to meet the evolving needs of modern classrooms and communities.
We foster a community that celebrates diversity and emphasizes the health and well-being of our students, faculty and staff. In doing so, we strive to ensure that everyone can thrive in an inclusive and supportive environment.
As part of a larger university ecosystem reimagining teaching and learning both inside and outside of the classroom, the College of Education stands as a beacon of excellence moving fearlessly forward to transform education for good.
MISSION
The University of Maryland College of Education is an action-oriented and equity-minded community transforming the fields of education, counseling, human development and quantitative methodology through impactful research, innovative teaching and mutually beneficial partnerships with schools and communities. We cocreate knowledge and advance the public good as we prepare educators, counselors, administrators, researchers and policymakers for leadership in schools and society.
VALUES
INNOVATION FOR TRANSFORMATION
We engage in bold, rigorous work to improve how we understand challenges, ask questions, reimagine solutions and take action.
JUSTICE AND EQUITY
We honor the dignity and humanity of every person and act to address systemic injustice and promote our collective well-being.
COLLABORATION WITH CARE
We cultivate and sustain relationships grounded in trust, reciprocity and respect.
VISION
The University of Maryland College of Education will be celebrated and widely recognized by local, regional and global communities for our research, teaching and partnerships. Our impact and expertise will lead to collaborations that influence policies, inform practice and advance broader social, civic and democratic goals for a healthy and equitable society for all. We will fulfill our vision with a firm commitment to intentionally build and foster a fearless EdTerps community grounded in care, belonging and equity.
OUR PROCESS
Strategic plans are community documents. We committed to a collaborative process that engaged students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters from across the college.
PHASE ONE / FALL 2023
A steering committee met weekly to craft our mission statement, values and vision. We explored our motivations, what attracted us to the University of Maryland and the College of Education, and what inspires us about EdTerps’ work. We also discussed our community’s strengths and the impact we aim to achieve. These conversations informed the initial drafts of our mission, values and vision. We continuously revised these statements and shared them with the College of Education Senate, leadership and broader EdTerps community.
PHASE TWO / WINTER 2024
Over 120 members of our EdTerps community gathered to share their ideas and discuss our vision for the college and what we would need to do to achieve it. EdTerps joined small groups to answer questions such as “What goals are we trying to achieve?” and “What strategies would allow us to reach our vision?” College leadership collected and reviewed responses to these questions.
PHASE THREE / SPRING 2024
The college leadership team formed four working groups to develop goals and objectives to support our vision. These goals and objectives are aligned with the strategic commitments outlined in the university’s strategic plan, Fearlessly Forward: we reimagine learning and education, we take on humanity’s grand challenges, we invest in people and communities and we partner to advance the public good.
The working groups used their expertise and the insights collected from our community to develop and refine the drafts of our goals and objectives to ensure they reflected the spirit and commitments of our EdTerps community. These drafts were carefully reviewed, reconsidered and revised based on feedback from the working groups, the steering committee, the College of Education Senate and the College of Education Board of Visitors.
We are proud of our process and its outcome, and we are confident that our collective efforts have provided a solid foundation for our college community to grow, excel and transform education for good.
TRANSFORMING EDUCATION FOR GOOD: IMPACT AREAS
Over the next five years, we will leverage the diverse strengths and expertise of our students, faculty and staff to tackle the most pressing grand challenges of our time. Our targeted and collective efforts will lead to significant outcomes that drive positive change in our society, especially in the following five impact areas:
THE EDUCATOR WORKFORCE
Schools face critical shortages and high rates of turnover for teachers, counselors, student affairs professionals and administrative leaders. It is essential to prepare a larger and more diverse pool of educators, ensuring they have the skills and support necessary to meet the evolving needs of all students.
EdTerps are committed to broadening the pathway to education careers. We demonstrate expertise and cutting-edge knowledge in the science of teaching and leading as we prepare the next generation of educators.
EQUITY IN DEVELOPMENTAL, EDUCATION AND MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES
Persistent societal inequalities are often amplified in educational environments, perpetuating cycles of inequality. To advance social justice, it is important to understand marginalization and oppression, inclusive and culturally engaging learning environments, and sites for policy and programmatic intervention.
EdTerps are engaged in research, interventions and practices aimed at eliminating inequities in schools and society, with an emphasis on supporting racially and ethnically minoritized populations, refugees and displaced youth, people with disabilities and multilingual learners.
LITERACY AND LANGUAGE
Far too many students face barriers that keep them from reading and writing at grade level. Increasing literacy rates and closing equity gaps in learning requires understanding how youth learn to read and write as well as how to effectively build the ability to comprehend and use language.
EdTerps research literacy and language acquisition and develop equity-minded strategies, curricula and interventions that ensure all youth are able to read and write.
STEM TEACHING AND LEARNING
Many students find math and science challenging and have limited access to innovative content, which can reduce their interest in STEM. Technological advancements create new and engaging opportunities to improve instruction in general, and math and science learning outcomes specifically, which is a priority across the state and nation.
EdTerps study how, when and where STEM learning happens. We broaden access to high-quality learning opportunities and examine how technology can advance teaching and learning.
CIVIC EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT TO STRENGTHEN DEMOCRACY
Multiple challenges interfere with participation in democratic processes and impact the ability to sustain and form connections within and across communities. Schools play a pivotal role in educating students about the democratic process and what it means to be a member of a global community.
EdTerps conduct research and prepare educators to facilitate learning about civics and the democratic process, make meaning of information and identify disinformation, and reinvigorate engagement in civic life.
OUR STRATEGIC COMMITMENTS
WE REIMAGINE LEARNING AND EDUCATION
We reimagine learning and education by integrating experiential opportunities with innovative teaching methods to create inclusive and dynamic learning environments that prepare culturally and equity-minded professionals to lead in schools and communities.
GOAL 1
Boost engagement with learning opportunities in the College of Education.
OBJECTIVES
• Generate and broaden access to new courses and degree programs aligned with societal needs and student interests.
• Encourage broader participation in the College of Education’s experiential learning opportunities.
GOAL 2
• Create innovative learning opportunities and preparatory pathways that support the educator workforce.
Sustain equitable learning environments that support diverse learners and advance educational justice.
OBJECTIVES
• Expand knowledge and use of culturally sustaining teaching approaches, universal design and inclusive pedagogies.
• Recognize and reward faculty for exemplary teaching and mentorship that engages equity-based principles and inclusive practices.
GOAL 3
• Implement structures to assess and promote progress toward teaching and learning goals that integrate inclusive curricula, enhance equity in outcomes and serve diverse communities.
Advance understanding and application of emerging technologies in teaching and learning.
OBJECTIVES
• Expand understanding about the promises and challenges of applying various technologies in educational and developmental contexts.
• Explore ways to leverage AI and data science to advance equity in education, counseling, human development and quantitative methodology.
• Ensure EdTerps’ expertise guides partnerships that encourage innovative and ethical applications of AI and emergent technologies in education, counseling, human development and quantitative methodology.
WE TAKE ON HUMANITY’S GRAND CHALLENGES
Committed to making a transformative impact on society, we create programs, research, scholarship and creative activities that equip our students, faculty and staff with the knowledge and skills to tackle humanity’s grand challenges.
GOAL 1
Accelerate scholarship that informs solutions to grand challenges in schools and society.
OBJECTIVES
• Strategically recruit and hire faculty that are pursuing new directions in education, counseling, human development and quantitative methodology, including applying and using technology, AI and data science across these fields.
GOAL 2
• Create spaces that facilitate engagement in rigorous, collaborative research and creative activities.
• Increase resources that support EdTerps’ efforts to pursue, secure and sustain external funding opportunities.
Become the go-to resource for research and programming that inform policy, transform practice and advance equity in education, counseling, human development and quantitative methodology.
OBJECTIVES
• Amplify communication and messaging about the real-world impact of the College of Education’s academic programs, scholarship and creative activities.
• Build EdTerps’ capacity to disseminate, communicate and translate their work.
GOAL 3
• Improve organization of and access to College of Education experts and information to create a more seamless experience for external stakeholders and audiences.
Prepare EdTerps to engage in and lead efforts to transform education for good.
OBJECTIVES
• Expand opportunities to explore grand challenges in education and human development, as well as their impact on society.
• Increase EdTerps’ agency and build leadership capacity to effect change and advance the public good.
• Promote opportunities to learn about diverse career pathways and opportunities that can impact youth, education and human development.
WE INVEST IN PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES
Our community is the foundation of our excellence. We support the work of our students, faculty and staff and foster a culture that encourages their growth and development, while also celebrating diversity and promoting holistic well-being so that everyone can thrive.
GOAL 1
Enhance faculty, staff and student diversity to better support and represent the communities we aim to teach, serve and engage.
OBJECTIVES
• Ensure all EdTerps, particularly those embracing marginalized and minoritized identities, succeed and thrive.
• Increase the racial diversity of students recruited to and successfully completing College of Education programs.
GOAL 2
• Foster a culture that celebrates diversity, practices inclusion and advances equity through scholarship, teaching and practice.
Foster well-being and a sense of belonging within the College of Education community.
OBJECTIVES
• Identify important factors in and opportunities to support well-being and community connections.
• Intentionally onboard and introduce new EdTerps to the College of Education and the University of Maryland.
GOAL 3
• Produce community activities and interventions that support holistic health and connection.
Unlock EdTerps’ potential, increasing their ability to achieve their goals and become leaders in their respective fields.
OBJECTIVES
• Strengthen infrastructure to promote excellence, retention and advancement.
• Expand access to and engagement in high-quality mentoring interactions and relationships.
GOAL 4
• Increase opportunities for intentional career exploration and professional development.
Create a validating and inspiring environment for EdTerps to interact, learn and work.
OBJECTIVES
• Advance plans to reenvision and renovate the Benjamin Building.
• Maximize and enhance physical spaces that optimize opportunities for innovation, connection and collaboration.
• Collaborate to coconstruct affinity spaces that reflect and support our diverse community and the populations we serve.
WE PARTNER TO ADVANCE THE PUBLIC GOOD
Building on long-standing partnerships and cultivating new ones, we advance opportunities for learning and cuttingedge research that drive innovative solutions for a more equitable, peaceful and sustainable world.
GOAL 1
Activate EdTerps’ engagement in policymaking, programs and advocacy efforts that improve individual and societal outcomes.
OBJECTIVES
• Cultivate collaborations with government and community stakeholders that are aligned with the College of Education’s areas of focus.
• Expand curricular and cocurricular opportunities for high-quality student civic and community engagement experiences.
GOAL 2
• Recognize and reward EdTerps’ involvement in impactful community and civic partnerships to advance individual outcomes and the public good.
Establish long-term relationships to support school improvement and develop the educator workforce.
OBJECTIVES
• Establish and cultivate both new and existing strategic institutional partnerships with early childhood programs and PK-20 organizations and institutions.
• Formalize sustainable and mutually beneficial partnerships based on shared resources and governance.
GOAL 3
• Incentivize sustainable partnership efforts through policy, rewards and recognition.
Become a local and global leader in impactful, sustainable and mutually beneficial Research-Practice Partnerships (RPPs).
OBJECTIVES
• Build infrastructure that scales capacity to establish and sustain RPPs.
• Incentivize, recognize and reward faculty actively engaged in equity-centered RPPs.
• Connect and collaborate with current and prospective partners to codesign and develop RPPs.
MOVING FEARLESS FORWARD: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLAN
A strategic plan is only as effective as the strategy to implement it. The College of Education’s strategic plan will serve as a grounding document that guides our work over the next five years, informing both our short-term and long-term initiatives and priorities.
Each year, we will select three to four goals from the strategic plan to focus on and prioritize in our work.
In the 2024-2025 academic year, the working groups will reconvene to identify metrics to track as we reach our vision. We will consider metrics similar to those used for assessing progress toward Fearlessly Forward wherever possible. The College of Education’s Assessment Office will play a key role in helping us develop a strategy to track and share our progress with students, faculty and staff.
Each year, our winter retreat will focus on a specific aspect of the strategic plan. We will use this time as an opportunity to build community and deepen our shared understanding of our goals, as well as to explore how each member of the EdTerps community can help implement them.
We aim to be strategic yet flexible, adapting our plan and programs to meet evolving state, national and global needs in education, human development, and mental health and well-being.
MISSION, VALUES AND VISION STEERING COMMITTEE
Doug Anthony
Visiting Professor, Department of Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership
Diksha Bali
Graduate Student Representative
Aaron Bobik Director of Development, Office of Advancement
Lucas Butler
College of Education Senate Chair
Christy De Leon
Academic Advisor, Office of Student Services
Andew Elby
Professor, Department of Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership
Yewon Lee
Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education
Jioni Lewis
Associate Professor, Department of Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education
Adrienne Mayo Brown Director of Administrative Services, Department of Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership
Jaden Mikoulinskii
Graduate Student Representative
Bryant Rivera Cortez Undergraduate Student Representative
Rachel Romeo
Assistant Professor, Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology
Emily Schuster
Writer/Editor, Office of Marketing and Communications
Christy Stuart Research Professor, Department of Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education
GOALS WORKING GROUPS
WE REIMAGINE LEARNING AND EDUCATION
Janis Cornell-DeMoss Director, Office of Student Services
Elizabeth Gotwalt Director, EdTerps Learning Academy
Steve Pragel Director, Educational Technology Services
Ebony Terrell Shockley Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies and Educator Preparation
WE TAKE ON HUMANITY’S GRAND CHALLENGES
Lucas Butler Chair, College of Education Senate
Natifia Mullings Director, Office of Marketing and Communications
Laura Stapleton Chair, Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology
Ana Taboada Barber Associate Dean for Research, Innovation and Partnerships
WE INVEST IN PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES
William Liu
Chair, Department of Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education
Doug Lombardi
Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Graduate Studies
D. Hakim Scott Assistant Dean for Finance and Administration
Kurt Sudbrink
Assistant Dean for Development, Office of Advancement
Mary Taylor-Lewis Diversity Officer
WE PARTNER TO ADVANCE THE PUBLIC GOOD
Segun Eubanks Director, Center for Educational Innovation and Improvement
Jonathan Malone Director, Maryland English Institute
Nihat Polat Chair, Department of Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership
Lena Morreale Scott Director, Civic Education and Engagement Initiative
