College of Education to Host 2015 Education Summit

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Posted on February 20, 2015

Joy Washington

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The College of Education at the University of South Alabama will celebrate 48 years of teaching, research and service during its Founders Day and Education Summit with keynote speaker Dr. Gregory Fitch, executive director of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education. University faculty, staff and students are invited to attend this event free with USA identification.

The Founders Day and Education Summit will be held Tuesday, Feb. 24, from 8:30 a.m.-1p.m. at the USA Mitchell Center in Room 1101.

“We are proud to celebrate Founders Day 2015,” said Dr. Richard L. Hayes, dean of the College of Education. “The USA Education Summit will address the accomplishments and challenges around improving post-secondary attainment for all students.”

The event will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. followed by a 9 a.m. welcome from Hayes and Martha Peek, superintendent of the Mobile County Public School System. At 10:30 a.m. a panel discussion featuring educational leaders will begin. The members of the panel are USA President Dr. Tony G. Waldrop; Chancellor Dr. Mark Heinrich, Alabama Community College System; Spring Hill College President Rev. Gregory F. Lucey; and Bishop State Community College Dean Dr. Latitia McCane, Instructional Services.

Fitch will give the keynote speech at 9:15 a.m. on the “Role of Post-Secondary Education in Improving Educational Attainment for All Students.” He will focus specifically on challenges educators face in preparing students for post-secondary success. In addition, Fitch will speak on the importance of continuous support from all stakeholders to ensure students graduate ready for a career, college and life.

Fitch has served in chancellor and president roles in three community college systems and as the founding president of the Utah College of Applied Technology, which was an institution established to promote economic development through the creation and support of a qualified workforce.

Fitch holds a Ph.D. in administration, curriculum and instruction from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a master’s degree in English from Emporia State University and a bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in sociology and education from Washburn University in Topeka, Kan.

The 11:30 a.m. session will feature Peek and Vice Chancellor Dr. Charles Nash, University of Alabama System. At noon, a “Call to Action” session featuring a panel discussion with high school and college students will be facilitated by Mobile Area Education Foundation CEO Carolyn Akers.

As part of ACHE’s statutory responsibility, work is being done on a five-year statewide plan for higher/postsecondary education. Overall, ACHE serves as a conduit to improve communication, support educational interest at all levels and partner with business and industry to serve citizens of the state.

The College of Education is the fourth largest college at the University of South Alabama with about 1,726 undergraduate and graduate students. About 85 percent of the professionals employed in Mobile and Baldwin county public schools hold at least one degree or certificate from the University.

In 1967, the USA Board of Trustees unanimously voted and formally announced the establishment of the College of Education. Dr. J. Howe Hadley served as the first dean followed by Dr. George E. Uhlig, now retired.

Educators and the general public can register for the Education Summit at http://www.maef.net/uncategorized/education-summit-2015/.

The event is sponsored by the Mobile Area Education Foundation, the Mobile County Public School System and the University of South Alabama.

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