College of Education and Human Development

College of Education and Human Development
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5229 USA
Main office:  (269) 387-2960
Student services: (269) 387-3474

History from 2010 to present

2010

  • Groundbreaking takes place for the new Sangren Hall to be completed in 2012.
  • Dr. John J. Wheeler replaces Dr. Gary Wegenke as dean.

2011

  • In 2011, the Michigan Association recognized graduates of the physical education program in the Department of Human Performance and Health Education as the Elementary and Secondary Physical Education Teachers of the Year for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.
  • The Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation was changed to the Department of Human Performance and Health Education, approved by the Board of Trustees.

2012

  • In January, Dr. Van E. Cooley replaces Dr. John J. Wheeler as interim dean.
  • The new Sangren Hall is completed.
  • In October, Dr. Walter Burt is named interim dean after the death of Dr. Van E. Cooley.
  • The Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology was presented Western Michigan University’s Excellence in Diversity Award in the College and Department category.
  • The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education accredits the undergraduate Athletic Training Professional Program through the year 2022.
  • In 2012 Tracy DeMars in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Educational Studies launched a successful Michigan Test for Teacher Certification test preparation program that includes workshops, tutoring and financial support to cover fees for taking the practice test online.

2013

  • The Master of Arts in career and technical education in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences as of fall 2013 are available as a primarily online graduate program, joining the first primarily online undergraduate programs at WMU in family science and child and family development.
  • In 2013, The College of Education and Human Development launched a teaching with technology project with Apple to pilot the use of iPads in field-based teacher education courses.
  • In September of 2013, the U.S. Department of Education announced a new, nearly $5 million grant to Western Michigan University's educational leadership team of the Department of Educational Leadership, Research and Technology, to continue to improve the line of work with school principals.
  • For the 2013 fiscal year, the Department of Human Performance and Health Education received $1.75 million in external funding awards. This amount accounted for 57 percent of the total awards received by the College of Education and Human Development and 7 percent of the total awards received by Western Michigan University.
  • In July, Dr. Ming Li replaces Dr. Walter Burt as dean.
  • In Fall 2013, "The Living Room," a 1-hour Michigan radio show, created and hosted by Allison Downey, recently won the Excellence in Broadcasting Award from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters for the special interest and cultural programming category.
  • Western Michigan University's impressive 2013 class of Woodrow Wilson Michigan Teaching Fellows, led by project director Marcia Fetters include peace corp veterans, a doctor of economics and an ornithologist.
  • In 2013, a new master's in the arts in teaching program in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Educational Studies was approved for math and science. Students in the program receive a master's degree and teacher certification.
  • In spring 2013, Jeffrey Jones and Dini Metro-Roland in the department of Teaching, Learning and Educational Studies, were awarded the National Endowment for the Humanities—Enduring Questions Grant ($21,365) to develop and teach a course titled "What is Human Flourishing?"

2014

  • Established the Educator Preparation Governing Council, an overarching structure responsible for overseeing all the educator preparation programs across four colleges in the institution. It is a policy-making and review body with oversight of any matter related to the preparation of PK-12 education professionals at WMU. Its ultimate goal is to improve the quality of educator preparation programs and the learning of our students. The establishment of the EPGC is both significant and historical as it is first time in the history of WMU, we have a coordinating body in educator preparation.
  • Fully complied with all NCATE accreditation standards and gained continuous accreditation.

2015

  • Started to offer a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership program in the Dominican Republic.
  • Offered an administrative training academy in the Dominican Republic to 60 public school principals.
  • Started a 3+2 Counseling Psychology program with Dillard University in New Orleans. This program will begin with the first two Dillard undergraduate psychology students admitted to begin an MA degree in in CECP in the summer I of 2015. Their initial coursework in CECP at WMU will be a part of completing their 4th year of undergraduate degree studies with Dillard. The students will then complete a second year at WMU and be able to receive their MA in Counseling Psychology at the conclusion of their 5th year of studies.

2016

  • Developed and launched a Future Educators Program in collaboration with the Kalamazoo Public School and Kalamazoo Promise. Six KPS‐Promise students who have been admitted into WMU and wish to pursue a teaching career will each receive $5,000 scholarships annually to complete the program. Starting Fall 2016. The purpose of the program is to recruit high school and college students to the field of education from underrepresented, socioeconomically disadvantaged, and for educationally at risk families in Kalamazoo.
  • Developed and launched an innovative Ph.D. in Education and Human Development program. Following a master-apprentice model of doctoral preparation, this program combines the coursework-focused model of doctoral education primarily used in the US with the research-focused model of doctoral education embraced by European nations.
  • Developed and launched a number of new master’s programs, including MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MA in TESOL), MA in Teaching with a Concentration in Teaching Chinese (MAT in Chinese Teaching), MA in Educational Leadership – K-12 Principal with a concentration in Interscholastic Athletic Administration, Certificate in Early Childhood Special Education, Certificate in Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports, and Accelerated Graduate Degree Programs (i.e., 3+2) in the Child Life Education and Family Life Education emphases of the MA in Family and Consumer Sciences.