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Qi Sun


Twenty-five members from Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling (EPC) were commended at the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (CEHHS) Faculty and Staff Recognition Ceremony on April 25, 2018.

To see photos from the event, please go to the “EPC at the 2019 CEHHS Faculty & Staff Recognition Ceremony” album on our EPC Facebook page.

Awards

Gary L. & Rebecca S. Blauser Endowed Faculty Support Award in Honor of Bob Rider, Dean
Awarded to recognize current and past accomplishments or future projects of one outstanding faculty member for excellence in teaching, research, and/or service efforts within any CEHHS area.

Jennifer Ann MorrowJennifer Ann Morrow
Associate Professor in Evaluation, Statistics & Measurement

“What I love most about working at UT is I get to mentor an amazing, diverse group of graduate students as they become more proficient in research methodology. A profound thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Blauser for their support for this award in honor of Dean Rider. Thank you!”


Helen B. Watson Faculty/Student Award for Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation
Awarded to a student and the faculty member who directed the outstanding doctoral dissertation within the departments of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies; Educational Psychology and Counseling; Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies; or Theory and Practice in Teacher Education.

Chris SkinnerChristopher H. Skinner
Professor in School Psycholgy

 

“I value this award because it recognizes collaborative research efforts. I spend a great deal of time working with students to develop their research skills. My time spent with Kala was the best of times.

It is nice that the college acknowledges these efforts and I hope there is even more emphasis placed on faculty mentoring their students in research.

I am humbled and scared (“Can I keep up with their dreams and aspirations?”) – when students like Kala come to work with me. I hope that they keep coming and pray that I can keep up.”

Kala TaylorKala Taylor
PhD Candidate in School Psychology

 

“I am honored to receive this award with Chris Skinner, professor, who has been my greatest academic advocate over the past five years. His dedication to mentoring me, writing with me, and teaching me has been invaluable to my career as a researcher and future psychologist. I am particularly delighted to receive recognition for this project, which is dear to my heart because of its potential to provide teachers with improved methods for presenting diverse learning material to their students.”


Recognition

Casey A. Barrio Minton
Professor & Program Coordinator for Clinical Mental Health Counseling

– Recognized under Presidents of National/International Professional Organizations for being President-Elect of Southern Association of Counselor Education & Supervision

– Recognized under Recipients of National/International Professional Awards for the American Counseling Association Fellow


Carolyn Blondin
Licensed Psychologist for the Korn Learning, Assessment & Social Skills Center

– Recognized under UT Faculty & Support Staff Service Awards for five years of service


Ralph G. Brockett
Professor in Adult Learning

– Recognized under UT Faculty & Support Staff Service Awards for 30 years of service


Beverly Cate
Accounting Specialist II

– Recognized under UT Faculty & Support Staff Service Awards for 25 years of service


Synthia Clark
Administrative Specialist I

– Recognized under UT Support Staff Awards & Certifications for the AECT Design & Development Competition Award


Lisa Crawford
Associate Director of the Center for Literacy, Education & Employment

– Recognized under Grants & Contracts Recipients as PI for the TDOE Summer Trainings, Tennessee Department of Education, $621,980


Stephanie Daniels
PhD Candidate in School Psychology

– Recognized under Grants & Contracts Recipients as PI for “Understanding students’ typing skills: Evaluating the effects and efficiency of a typing intervention for elementary school students,” Society for the Study of School Psychology, $5,000


David Fields
Program Manager/Event Manager of the Center for Literacy, Education & Employment

– Recognized under UT Faculty & Support Staff Service Awards for 10 years of service


Katherine H. Greenberg
Professor Emerita

– Recognized under Authors/Editors of Books & Assessments Published 2018-2019 for Greenberg, K. H., Sohn, B. K., Greenberg, N. B., Pollio, H. R., Thomas, S. P., & Smith, J. T. (2019). The phenomenological heart of teaching and learning: Theory, research, and practice in higher education. New York, NY: Routledge.


Aaron Kohring
Director of the Center for Literacy, Education & Employment

– Recognized under Grants & Contracts Recipients as Co-PI for the TDOE Summer Trainings, Tennessee Department of Education, $621,980


Robert Kronick
Professor & Director of University-Assisted Community Schools

– Recognized under Grants & Contracts Recipients as PI for the University-Assisted Community Schools, United Way of Greater Knoxville via Catholic Charities, $125,000 of anticipated $375,000


R. Steve McCallum
Professor in School Psychology

– Recognized under Editors/Co-Editors of Peer Reviewed Publication for being Co-Founder and Consulting Editor of the Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment

– Recognized under Authors/Editors of Books & Assessments Published 2018-2019 for Bracken, B. A., & McCallum, R. S. (2018). Universal nonverbal intelligence test. Austin, TX: ProEd Publishing Company

– Recognized under Authors/Editors of Books & Assessments Published 2018-2019 for McCallum, R. S., & Bracken, B. A. (2018). Universal talented and gifted screener (UTAGS). Austin, TX: Prufrock Publishing Company


Merilee McCurdy
Associate Department Head, Associate Professor & Program Coordinator for School Psychology

– Recognized under Grants & Contracts Recipients as PI for “Understanding students’ typing skills: Evaluating the effects and efficiency of a typing intervention for elementary school students,” Society for the Study of School Psychology, $5,000


Lauren Moret
Assistant Professor in Evaluation, Statistics & Measurement

– Recognized under 2019 Chancellor’s Honors Awards for Excellence in Teaching


Jennifer Ann Morrow
Associate Professor in Evaluation, Statistics & Measurement

– Recognized under 2019 Chancellor’s Honors Awards for Excellence in Advising


Louis Rocconi
Assistant Professor in Evaluation, Statistics & Measurement

– Recognized under Grants & Contracts Recipients as PI for “Measuring quality in legal education: Examining the relationship between law school rank and student engagement,” Association of Institutional Research, $50,000


Blaine Sample
Coordinator I of University-Assisted Community Schools

– Recognized under UT Faculty & Support Staff Service Awards for five years of service


Mike Sass
East TN Teaching Coordinator & Team Leader of the Center for Literacy, Education & Employment

– Recognized under 2018-2019 Faculty & Staff Retirements, 1996-2018


Gary J. Skolits
Associate Professor & Program Coordinator for Evaluation, Statistics & Measurement

– Recognized under Editors/Co-Editors of Peer Reviewed Publications for being Co-Editor of The Qualitative Review


Qi Sun
Associate Professor & Program Coordinator for Adult Learning

– Recognized under Editors/Co-Editors of Peer Reviewed Publications for being Co-Editor of Adult Education Quarterly
– Recognized under Recipients of National/International Professional Awards for the Outstanding Service Award by The American Association of Adult and Continuing Education


Christine Tidwell
Administrative Specialist III

– Recognized under UT Faculty & Support Staff Service Awards for 15 years of service


Connie White
Associate Director of the Center for Literacy, Education & Employment

– Recognized under 2018-2019 Faculty & Staff Retirements, 1990-2018


Brian Wilhoit
Director of the Korn Learning, Assessment & Social Skills Center

– Recognized under UT Faculty & Support Staff Service Awards for 10 years of service



Adult Education

Cassandra earned an MS with the Adult Education program in 2017. She is originally from Atlanta, GA and currently lives in Knoxville, TN. We asked her to reflect on past experiences with EPC and discuss where she’s at now. Read her responses below.

Current Occupation

Accounting Specialist III
Office of the Bursar
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN

I currently work for the Bursar, Susan Forman, at UT Knoxville.

Accomplishments since Graduating

Greatest professional accomplishment since graduation has been the opportunity to work one-on-one with the Bursar to assist with daily duties of the position. I am beyond blessed to have a boss that completely supported me while I obtained my master’s. After finishing the program, I requested to learn more of the daily operations of the Bursar, and my boss has spent a great amount of time teaching me new programs, especially those in Banner. She continuously provides me opportunities to further my knowledge and enhance my career.

Personal Interests

My husband and I enjoy traveling and when we have the opportunity on the weekends we like to engage in short excursions and enjoy local culture. My parents are very close to my husband, I have to admit that he is their favorite child, and quite often they come with us on our trips. This gives us all the opportunity to spend quality time together, including going to church together on Sundays.

Accomplishments Earned as a Student

While conducting research for my final comps, I centered my topic on the transformative learning experiences of veteran students involved in combat. I have the upmost respect for the men and women who serve our country. My husband, father, uncle and great uncle are all Veterans. One of my greatest accomplishments was being able to interview a University of Tennessee veteran student that was an Army combat medic. To hear their experiences, how it related to their learning and helping others learn was one of the most rewarding experiences during my program.

What would you tell an incoming/current student?

Going into the program, my first thought was that I would come to know more about how adults learn so that it would help me create a successful learning environment in my position at the University of Tennessee. Teaching in the Atlanta Metropolitan School District gave me the experience to learn how culture and backgrounds influence learning, but only on a small scale. This program has introduced to me a worldly, holistic view of learning. Teaching at a public school system was just barely scraping the surface of what adult education would entail. After two years in the program, I have learned how the principles of adult education originated, how adult learning models and theories can facilitate learning, and how as individuals we can take all of our experiences and meanings and contribute to a successful learning environment both in and outside of the classroom.

The one thing that has remained constant is I have always viewed educators as individuals who love learning. This still remains true in higher adult education, but I have a new respect for adult educators. It is those in this field who love learning on a level that they have invested a great deal of time and research to help adult education learners. I realize that this program was never about changing the way we think because of curriculum, it was allowing us as individuals to be presented with new ideas, concepts, and experiences to help us facilitate our own learning. Everyone has a story, a journey, that has brought them to this program. We all have vast backgrounds, experiences, ideas, concepts, and thoughts that can contribute to learning. The key of this program was allowing us to come to our own understanding of what all of it meant for us individually.

How did your experiences as a student help you in your professional/personal life after graduation?

One learning experience that was particularly important to me was studying the movements in adult education in Cathy Hammon’s, clinical assistant professor, course “Survey of Adult Education”. It was interesting to see how adult education developed over time from the works of Socrates and Plato, to the modernist view of adult education. During my undergrad, I researched the Renaissance period due to its rich history of literature and art that resonated during that time. It was in Hammon’s course that I would learn the influence of that particular era on modern andragogy in practice. In humanistic adult education, what really stood out to me was one of the thought leaders; Martin Luther. As a Christian, my religion came from the Protestant Reformation initiated by Martin Luther. During my adolescent years, I learned about the Protestant Reformation but did not connect it to humanistic adult education. This was a very personal moment for me in the adult learning environment; to connect my religion to adult education. All of a sudden, I was able to connect something that is a very deep, personal belief for me to its importance in adult education.

Did you end up where you thought you would?

Currently at my position at the University of Tennessee, I have been putting into place the ideas and concepts that I have learned in this program. During Qi Sun’s, associate professor, course, “Facilitating Change in the Educational Environment”, we learned that we can take a look outside the box if we have a barrier in the educational environment to understand the reasons why an individual views change as positive or negative. By understanding how the individual views their experiences and how they have resonated with their critical reflection of their experience, we can facilitate a successful learning or workplace environment. On a daily basis, we come across individuals that seem to create a barrier in the workplace or learning environment. At first, it may seem easy to be discouraged. However, putting in place the concepts and ideas I have learned in this program helps me understand why others view certain aspects as positive or negative from their experiences.

“This program has a been a road; there were some smooth stretches, bumpy rides, some curves, some twists, some obstacles, but it was all leading to somewhere. A destination unlike any other, not a specific destination, but one that encompassed knowledge all along the path. It was not about where I was going, a specific mark; it was about the journey, about what I learned. This program was never about finding answers, it was about losing the questions and finding your own learning. One important aspect that I have learned in this program is that learning is life-long, it is a continuous journey. It does not stop because we reach a certain age or we graduate. All the lessons in life that are accumulated from the time of birth, are on-going and every experience contributes to our overall learning.”


Fourteen members of EPC were commended at the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences Faculty and Staff Recognition Ceremony on April 25, 2018.

To see photos from the event, please go to the “EPC at the 2018 CEHHS Faculty & Staff Recognition Ceremony” album on our EPC Facebook page.


Awards

CEHHS Board of Advisors Faculty Support Award
Awarded to recognize current/past accomplishments or future projects of one outstanding faculty member for teaching/research/service efforts in any area within CEHHS.

Gary Skolits

Gary Skolits
Program Coordinator & Associate Professor in Evaluation, Statistics & Measurement

 

“It truly was a special privilege to be recognized in my role as an EPC faculty member. The nomination by faculty peers alone was a special honor to me; the subsequent commendation at the college level will always remain a highlight of my faculty career.”


Helen B. Watson Outstanding Faculty Research Award
Awarded to a full-time faculty member or team within the departments of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies; Edu­cational Psychology and Counseling; Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies; or Theory and Practice in Teacher Education.

Louis RocconiLouis Rocconi
Assistant Professor in Evaluation, Statistics & Measurement

“It is a tremendous honor to be selected for this prestigious award. I am truly humbled to receive recognition for my research and grateful to be a part of this esteemed department and college.”


Louie M. & Betty M. Phillips Faculty Support in Education
Awarded to a faculty member in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences related to the preparation of teachers involved in K-12 education. This award serves to highlight outstanding research and teaching efforts.

Melinda GibbonsMelinda Gibbons
Program Coordinator & Professor in Counselor Education

“I am humbled and honored to be recognized for my research and outreach activities. I am also happy to have the opportunity for others to learn about the need for this type of engaged scholarship.”


Recognition

Casey A. Barrio Minton
Professor in Counselor Education

– Recognized under Presidents of National/International Professional Organizations for being President-Elect of Southern Association of Counselor Education & Supervision


Pamelia Brott
Program Coordinator & Associate Professor in School Counseling

– Recognized under Recipients of National/International Professional Awards for National Career Development Association Fellow


Synthia Clark
Administrative Specialist I

– Recognized under UT Support Staff Service Awards for five years of service


Stephanie Cowherd
Associate Director of Center for Literacy, Education & Employment

– Recognized under Grants & Contracts Recipients for the TN DHS-DRS, Tennessee Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services, $797,060


Lisa Crawford
Associate Director of Center for Literacy, Education & Employment

– Recognized under Grants & Contracts Recipients for the Coordinated School Health Events, Tennessee Department of Education, $270,759
– Recognized under Grants & Contracts Recipients for the Partners in Education (PIE) Conference Support, Tennessee Department of Education, $1,308,909
– Recognized under Grants & Contracts Recipients for the TDOE Summer Trainings, Tennessee Department of Education, $621,980


Melinda M. Gibbons
Program Coordinator & Professor in Counselor Education

– Recognized under Recipients of National/International Professional Awards for the Counseling Vision & Innovation Award from the Association for Counselor Education & Supervision
– Recognized under Chancellor’s Honors Awards for Research & Creative Achievement


Craig Howard
Assistant Professor of Instructional Technology

– Recognized under Recipients of National/International Professional Awards for the Distance Learning Best Practice Award from the Association for Educational Communications & Technology Division


Robert Kronick
Professor in Counselor Education & Director of University-Assisted Community Schools

– Recognized under Authors/Editors of Books & Assessments for Community Engagement: Principles, Strategies, and Practices
– Recognized under Authors/Editors of Books & Assessments for Wicked Problems and the Community School Solution
– Recognized under Recipients of National/International Professional Awards for Counselor Education of the Year from American Mental Health Counseling Association


R. Steve McCallum
Professor for School Psychology

– Recognized under Editors/Co-Editors of Peer Reviewed Publications for being Co-Founder & Consulting Editor of Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment


Gary Skolits
Program Coordinator & Associate Professor of Evaluation, Statistics & Measurement

– Recognized under Editors/Co-Editors of Peer Reviewed Publications for being Co-Editor of The Qualitative Review


Qi Sun
Program Coordinator & Associate Professor in Adult Learning

– Recognized under Editors/Co-Editors of Peer Reviewed Publications for being Co-Editor of Adult Education Quarterly
– Recognized under Recipients of National/International Professional Awards for the Outstanding Service Award by The American Association of Adult and Continuing Education


Duren Thompson
Instructional Designer & Program Coordinator

– Recognized under UT Support Staff Service Awards for twenty years of service


Lisa Yamagata-Lynch
Program Coordinator & Professor in Instructional Technology/Learning Environments & Educational Studies

– Recognized under Recipients of National/International Professional Awards for the Distance Learning Best Practice Award from the Association for Educational Communications & Technology Division


Eighteen members of EPC were commended at the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences Faculty and Staff Recognition Ceremony on April 27, 2017.

To see photos from the event, please go to the “EPC at the 2017 CEHHS Faculty & Staff Recognition Ceremony” album on our EPC Facebook page.


Awards

College Senate Departmental Staff Award
Recognizes a departmental-level non-exempt staff person who has provided exceptional contributions to his/her department (going above & beyond job expectations to accommodate students and faculty, contributing to a positive and supportive work culture and environment).

Apirl Phillips

 

April Phillips
Administrative Coordinator III

 


Helen B. Watson Faculty/Student Award for Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation
Awarded to a student and the faculty member who directed the outstanding doctoral dissertation within the departments of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies; Educational Psychology and Counseling; Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies; or Theory and Practice in Teacher Education.

Dareen BasmaDareen Basma
PhD in Counselor Education (’16)

Bob KronickRobert Kronick
Professor in Counselor Education

“Working with Dareen Basma was an incredible experience. Her dissertation is a work of art. Her position at Carnegie Mellon speaks to her personal and professional acumen. The award is an affirmation of her work.”



Helen B. Watson Outstanding Faculty Research Award
Awarded to a full-time faculty member or team within the departments of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies; Educational Psychology and Counseling; Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies; or Theory and Practice in Teacher Education.

Robert WilliamsRobert L. Williams
Professor in School Psychology

“I deeply appreciate the initiative of close colleagues in transmitting information regarding my work to the College Senate for consideration for the two awards I received.”


John H. Tunstall Outstanding Faculty Award
Awarded to an outstanding faculty member who is involved in the preparation of teachers, administrators, or others entering the field of education. The faculty member shall have a distinguished record in teaching, research, or community service or any combination of the three.

Lauren Moret

 

Lauren Moret
Assistant Professor in Evaluation, Statistics & Measurement

 


John H. Tunstall Outstanding Staff Award
Awarded annually to a staff member who has executed their duties in an exemplary manner in support of those programs which prepare “teacher, administrators, or others entering the field of education.”

Synthia ClarkSynthia Clark
Administrative Specialist I

“Being part of Let’s Talk QUAL with with Lauren and Duncan has been such a pleasurable and rewarding experience! This initiative has pushed my design, research, and presentation skills.


Louie M. and Betty M. Phillips Faculty Support in Education Award
Awarded to a faculty member in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences related to the preparation of teachers involved in K-12 education. This award serves to highlight outstanding research and teaching efforts.

Robert Williams

Robert L. Williams
Professor in School Psychology

“I deeply appreciate the initiative of close colleagues in transmitting information regarding my work to the College Senate for consideration for the two awards I received.”


Recognition

Casey A. Barrio Minton
Associate Professor in Counselor Education

– Recognized under Editors/Co-Editors of Peer Reviewed Publications for being Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Counselor Leadership & Advocacy
– Recognized under Presidents of National/International Professional Organizations for being President-Elect of Southern Association of Counselor Education & Supervision
– Recognized under Recipients of National/International Professional Awards for Arthur A. Hitchcock Distinguished Professional Service Award from American Counseling Association


Synthia Clark
Administrative Specialist I

– Recognized under Support Staff Awards and Certifications for UT Employee and Organizational Development Certificates in Customer Relations and Communications


Gail Cope
Center for Literacy, Education & Employment

– Recognized under 2016-17 Faculty & Staff Retirements (1977-2017)


Lisa Crawford
Associate Director of Center for Literacy, Education & Employment

– Recognized under Grants and Contracts Recipients for the Tennessee Department of Education Regional Educator Summits, SCORE, $281,672


Melinda M. Gibbons
Program Coordinator & Associate Professor in Counselor Education

– Recognized under Editors/Co-Editors of Peer Reviewed Publications for being Associate Editor of Professional School Counseling Journal


Aaron Kohring
Director of Center for Literacy, Education & Employment

– Recognized under UT Support Staff Service Awards for fifteen years of service


Robert Kronick
Professor in Counselor Education & Director of University-Assisted Community Schools

– Recognized under Chancellor’s Honors Awards for the Excellence in Academic Outreach


R. Steve McCallum
Professor for School Psychology

– Recognized under Editors/Co-Editors of Peer Reviewed Publications for being Co-Founder & Consulting Editor of Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment
– Recognized under Authors/Editors of Books and Assessments for Handbook of Nonverbal Intelligence (2nd ed). New York: Springer.
– Recognized under Recipients of National/International Professional Awards for Distinguished Alumni Award from University of Georgia


S. Wayne Mulkey
Clinical Professor & Co-Program Coordinator in Rehabilitation Counseling

– Recognized under Chancellor’s Honors Awards for the Extraordinary Service to the University


April Phillips
Administrative Coordinator III

– Recognized under 2016-17 Faculty & Staff Retirements (1983-2017)


Shawn L. Spurgeon
Program Coordinator & Associate Professor in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

– Recognized under Presidents of National/International Professional Organizations for being Board of Directors of National Board for Certified Counselors
– Recognized under Presidents of National/International Professional Organizations for being Past-President of Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision


Qi Sun
Program Coordinator & Associate Professor in Adult Learning

– Recognized under Editors/Co-Editors of Peer Reviewed Publications for being Co-Editor of Journal of Research and Theory


Barbara Thayer-Bacon
Program Coordinator & Professor in Learning Environments & Educational Studies/Cultural Studies of Educational Foundations

– Recognized under Editors/Co-Editors of Peer Reviewed Publications for being Editor-in-Chief of Studies in Philosophy and Education
– Recognized under Authors/Editors of Books and Assessments for Relational Ontologies. New York: Peter Lang Publishers.
– Recognized under Chancellor’s Honors Awards for the Excellence in Advising Award


Laura S. Wheat
Assistant Professor in Counselor Education & Coordinator of Grief Outreach Initiative

– Recognized under Chancellor’s Honors Awards for the Extraordinary Community Service Award


Connie White
Associate Director of School & Family Programs for Center for Literacy, Education & Employment

– Recognized under Grants and Contracts Recipients for the Tennessee State Personnel Development Grant, Tennessee Department of Education, $2,332,268
– Recognized under UT Support Staff Service Awards for twenty-five years of service