CEHHS participates in UM-Dearborn Spring Open House

Jonathan Larson, academic advisor, gave information to prospective students
and their parents about all programs offered by CEHHS

DEARBORN, MI. - The UM-Dearborn Open House on Saturday, April 22, 2017, was a whirling success! The spinning wheel always draws in a crowd of prospective first-year and transfer students as they spin the wheel to win a prize.  Students learned about CEHHS degree programs in Education and Health and Human Services from advisors Lindsey Tarrant and Jonathan Larson.  Health Professions Advisor Tahnee Prokopow was inundated with students interested in a variety of health professions and professional school admission requirements.

Tahnee Prokopow, health professions advisor, received many visitors
interested on health professions requirements

Ten simulated college classes were offered at the Open House. Two CEHHS faculty taught classes including Dr. Natalie Sampson, For the Health of It, and Dr. Martha Adler, I Can Read with My Eyes Shut:  Deconstructing Learning to Read.  Dr. Sampson led an exciting class exploring the role of public health in addressing some of society's greatest challenges ranging from chronic disease management to protecting residents during oil spills. Dr. Adler used the Dr. Seuss book to engage students through interactive learning experiences to explore the development of reading comprehension.

Dr. Patricia Wren, the new Department Chair of Health and Human Services, and Dr. Susan Everett, Department Chair of Education, met throughout the day with prospective students and their families, answering questions about the full range of academic programs, course requirements, and career options that await students in CEHHS. 

Dr. Patricia Wren, Department Chair of Health and Human Services
answered questions from prospective students and their families

Lindsey Tarrant led the CEHHS informational session giving an overview of the undergraduate degree programs and certificates. She shared resources and information about important student support services such as prospective student advising.

CEHHS faculty and staff look forward to seeing many of the attendees beginning their experiences at UM-Dearborn in the summer and fall.

CEHHS Faculty Member Dr. Susan Everett Promoted to Full Professor

Chancellor Little and the UM-Dearborn community commend Dr. Susan Everett, Chair of the Department of Education, within the College of Education, Health, and Human Services for her recent promotion to full professor. Thank you for your hard work and commitment to excellence!

To view Dr. Everett's faculty profile including her research interests, click here.

UM-Dearborn CEHHS Integrated Science Education Faculty Member Chris Burke And His Students Highlighted In Detroit Public Schools Briefing

CEHHS students work directly within local schools to gain invaluable experience creating science curriculum for classrooms. This week, University of Michigan-Dearborn Faculty Member, Chris Burke and his Early Childhood Education Students Studying Integrated Science were mentioned in the Detroit Public School's weekly "Featured School" post. 

Read full length Detroit Public Schools post HERE 

University of Michigan - Dearborn Students mentioned at 02:10

“Extreme” Community Ties

“The ties are extreme with the community when it comes to Neinas,” Principal Russell says. “Our community support is phenomenal.”

DTE Energy recently provided winter warmth through the contribution of winter coats for students, and families can depend on weekly food donations from Forgotten Harvest. Help is literally just around the corner with community partners like Courage Church and E&L Supermercado, the local grocery store whose building and parking lots wrap partially around the school campus just over the fence from the school garden.

Additionally, the Southeast Michigan Stewardship Coalition, and the University of Michigan-Dearborn are among the partners in the science curriculum.

The university has a wide range of connections to the school, with one University of Michigan-Dearborn professor even holding weekly summer college classes and developing project-based activities at Neinas. Projects include movable garden beds and mini-irrigation systems that will eventually be used on the rooftop garden.

Even when the university partners are not on site for one of their repeat visits, the young students have perpetual reminders gearing them to higher educational aspirations. The desks in second grade teacher Deidre Davis’ classroom – where a student-led, math lesson was being delivered in Spanish and English, are each named for a state university.

In writing, fourth grade students receive regular visits from reporters and editors at Bloomberg News to work on writing projects. Students gain exposure to jobs within the newsroom while building a rapport with those professionals. This experience ends with a culminating annual trip to the service’s high-tech Southfield newsroom.

Weathering The Storms: CEHHS Prof Sampson Works To Address Climate Change In Detroit

Read full article HERE

How does a city grappling with how to thrive in the present day begin to think about what it will look like 50 years down the road?

That was a question the Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice (DWEJ) wanted answered when it assembled the Detroit Climate Action Collaborative (DCAC) in 2011, a largely volunteer initiative to bring government, industry, academia, and the community together to address the effects of climate change on the city.

“Understandably, a lot of people don’t have the time and the resources to be thinking about climate change, but, as a society, I don’t think we have a choice in the matter,” said Natalie Sampson, University of Michigan-Dearborn assistant professor of health and human services. “It’s exciting to see [DWEJ Policy Director] Kimberly Hill Knot and the environmental justice community pick up this topic and run with it.”

Sampson sits on the DCAC steering committee and chairs the public health work group. She hopes to get decision-makers to think about how public health and climate change are connected. With climate change, southeast Michigan will likely experience increased temperatures and more heavy precipitation events. This has implications for health—think of how heat waves can trigger respiratory issues or how flooded basements can expose people to waterborne diseases.

“The core mission of public health fits in with getting ready for these events,” she said. “If we have these extreme weather events, what does that mean for some of the city’s most vulnerable residents? If we’re behind on this issue, we’re going to further amplify disparities.”

DCAC has led focus groups and community outreach activities to make sure their work reflects the needs, resources, and knowledge of Detroiters and the DCAC’s partners. Across the city, many related community development and environmental initiatives have been underway for years.

To address climate change, Sampson said, “We have to think about how we can put systems in place to support citywide efforts, as well as the good work that is already happening in Detroit’s neighborhoods.”

The DCAC is working on a climate action plan that will begin to address those needs in ways that reflect existing research. The plan—similar to plans developed in more than 600 cities nationwide—will document the city’s current greenhouse gas emissions levels and detail strategies on how to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

DCAC published initial accomplishments in the Michigan Journal of Sustainability and will release the climate action plan this spring. The group also plans to continue to work with its many partners and Detroit residents to raise awareness of climate change and its impact on the city.

Attention: Wannabe-Student-Teachers! Come to an MTTC Prep Session Fridays @ 1:30pm or Wednesdays @ 4:30pm

How Does Climate Change Affect Public Health? Check Out CEHHS Professor Natalie Sampson's Work In Detroit To Find Out

How does a city grappling with how to thrive in the present day begin to think about what it will look like 50 years down the road?

Check out full article HERE

That was a question the Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice (DWEJ) wanted answered when it assembled the Detroit Climate Action Collaborative (DCAC) in 2011, a largely volunteer initiative to bring government, industry, academia, and the community together to address the effects of climate change on the city.

Natalie Sampson

“Understandably, a lot of people don’t have the time and the resources to be thinking about climate change, but, as a society, I don’t think we have a choice in the matter,” said Natalie Sampson, University of Michigan-Dearborn assistant professor of health and human services. “It’s exciting to see [DWEJ Policy Director] Kimberly Hill Knot and the environmental justice community pick up this topic and run with it.”

Sampson sits on the DCAC steering committee and chairs the public health work group. She hopes to get decision-makers to think about how public health and climate change are connected. With climate change, southeast Michigan will likely experience increased temperatures and more heavy precipitation events. This has implications for health—think of how heat waves can trigger respiratory issues or how flooded basements can expose people to waterborne diseases.

“The core mission of public health fits in with getting ready for these events,” she said. “If we have these extreme weather events, what does that mean for some of the city’s most vulnerable residents? If we’re behind on this issue, we’re going to further amplify disparities.”

DCAC has led focus groups and community outreach activities to make sure their work reflects the needs, resources, and knowledge of Detroiters and the DCAC’s partners. Across the city, many related community development and environmental initiatives have been underway for years.

To address climate change, Sampson said, “We have to think about how we can put systems in place to support citywide efforts, as well as the good work that is already happening in Detroit’s neighborhoods.”

The DCAC is working on a climate action plan that will begin to address those needs in ways that reflect existing research. The plan—similar to plans developed in more than 600 cities nationwide—will document the city’s current greenhouse gas emissions levels and detail strategies on how to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

DCAC published initial accomplishments in the Michigan Journal of Sustainability and will release the climate action plan this spring. The group also plans to continue to work with its many partners and Detroit residents to raise awareness of climate change and its impact on the city.

Study for the MTTC this Friday, 10/10 at 1:30pm in rm 252!

Happy First Anniversary CEHHS!

The College of Education, Health and Human Services Celebrated its 1st Anniversary this past week! 

Check out our Health and Human Services Department and its new programs!

Office of Student Success Student Welcome! (9/10-9/17)

Event running:  9/10/14 - 9/17/14

CEHHS Dean Janosky to Speak at Children's Summit, Sat. 9/20

Register Now! Saturday, September 20, 2014 University of Michigan – Dearborn 19000 Hubbard Drive, Fairlane Center North, Quad E Sponsored by: Child’s Hope Great Start Collaborative Wayne Save Our Children Coalition University of Michigan - Dearborn

Highlighted Summit offerings... Keynote:  Janiva Magness, “Becoming a Miracle: Our fate does not have to be our destiny” National Spokesperson-Casey Family, Ambassador –Foster Care Alumni of America Ms. Magness is both a Detroit native and a product of childhood hardship.  Ms. Magness, a renowned blues singer, will share her success in overcoming her childhood hardships.  Her presentation will inspire Summit participants. Plenary:  Cara Weiler, LMSW “The Ingredients to Raising Resilient Children” Ms. Weiler is a state licensed social worker and is affiliated with the Children’s Trauma Center.  Ms. Weiler provides education and training to encourage trauma-informed system change in agencies and communities. She will present practical concepts/supportive factors for fostering resilience, highlight the effects of unaddressed trauma, and identify components of best practice models that could contribute to the development of a resilient child. Panel:  Youth United Chairs:  Brittany Horton, DWMHA; and Danita Echols, MSW, Foster Care Alumna & Advocate Our panel of young adults will share their experiences and what has enabled them to overcome the obstacles that have threatened their growth and development.  This presentation by young adults who have been in foster care is an opportunity for conference attendees to witness the hope and optimism these panelists convey. *Panel Moderator: Janiva Magness Summit 2014 Schedule 8:00a Registration/Networking/ Breakfast 8:45a Welcome - Dean Janosky, UM-D Remarks - Thomas Karnes, Exchange Clubs of America 9:15a Keynote – Janiva Magness 10:30a Break 10:45a Plenary – Cara Weiler, LMSW 12:00p Break 12:15p Panel – Youth United 1:00p Adjournment *Program MC - Brenda Baker-Mbacke'

New Life for Old Textbooks: CEHHS prof ships resources to colleagues overseas to increase access to academic materials

Muna Al-Siyabi will return to her home country this summer as the first Omani instructor at Sultan Qaboos University with a master’s degree in early childhood education and a focus on special education.

It’s a distinction that brings certain benefits. For starters, she’ll become a leading advocate for children with special needs.

There is a downside, though.

“[Because] special education is a new major in Oman, we don’t have resources on the subject yet,” said Al-Siyabi, who earned her master’s degree this spring from University of Michigan-Dearborn. “None of the resources discuss new trends in teaching or educating young children with disabilities.”

She wanted to purchase additional materials to take back with her; but Kim Killu had a different idea. 

The UM-Dearborn professor of special education recently moved offices and purged a glut of teaching and learning resources in the process of relocating. That stockpile, along with materials from retiring professor Belinda Lazarus, now will travel back to Oman with Al-Siyabi.

Al-Siyabi plans to use the materials as an instructor at Sultan Qaboos.

“I am planning to advocate for children with special needs and these resources will be one way to increase my awareness about different issues related to special education,” she said. “Looking at different researches done in special education will give us guidelines about how we are going to teach individuals with disabilities.”

Sharing resources with colleagues abroad is nothing new for Killu. She often ships materials to friends and former classmates in Africa and South America who have limited access to academic materials.

“I think it’s important for us to share what we have here and pass it along to other people who don’t have access to what we have,” Killu said. “Textbooks are useful, older journals, assessment instruments, curriculum materials—they can use that in their courses.”

Killu says professors use these resources to provide more current information to their students, which helps in the classroom as well as in clinical experiences.

That’s how Al-Siyabi plans to use her new materials. They’ll serve as a starting point as Al-Siyabi and her students conduct their own research.

“I would like to work with my students to apply some research-based practices in teaching children with disabilities,” she said. “We will use the data we collect to help us make recommendation on how we can provide good services for young children.”

"CEHHS Heads" Take 2nd Place in MHealthy Scavenger Hunt

L to R: Catherine, Karen & Raechel

On Wednesday, August 6, the CEHHS Heads - a staff team comprised of Karen Claiborne, Raechel Espinoza, and Catherine Parkins - earned 2nd place in the first annual UM-Dearborn MHealthy Scavenger Hunt.  Taking place on the central campus, teams had 45 minutes to decipher clues, reach specific destinations across campus, and take photo evidence that the group had visited the location.

The CEHHS Heads power-walked and sprinted from the organic community garden to the bridge over the Rouge River on the Henry Ford Estate grounds, and to most buildings on campus in order to complete the scavenger hunt.

Karen stands on her head!

At the event's conclusion, the CEHHS Heads found themselves in a three-way tie for 2nd place, which called for a physical challenge tie-breaker.  Karen recorded the fastest time with 7.2 seconds as she zoomed through the horizontal rope ladder to clinch 2nd place for the team!

CEHHS Staff Honored

Four CEHHS staff members were recently honored at the 2013-2014 Chancellor's Staff Recognition Awards Ceremony.

Congratulations to Joann Otlewski, a team member on the Degree Audit Project, and recipient of the Exceptional Team Award.  Congratulations also goes to service award recipients Karen Claiborne (25 years), Carolyn Williams (15 years), and Catherine Parkins (5 years).

CEHHS Welcomes Lori Petrick, Assistant to the Dean

Please join us in welcoming Lori Petrick to CEHHS as the Assistant to the Dean.

Lori started her career at the University of Michigan-Dearborn in 1996, during which she has held administrative positions at the Henry Ford Estate and Natural Sciences. Since 2008, Lori has been the administrative specialist for the Department of Language, Culture, and Communication in the College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters, which is comprised of 28 full- time faculty, 40 part-time faculty, five disciplines and an internship program.

Lori has been a Staff Senator since 2010 and has served as the chair of the Campus Morale and Engagement committee.  In addition, she has also served in the Campus Ambassador program,  Go Blue Goes Red, and several faculty and staff search committees.

Welcome to CEHHS, Lori!

CEHHS Welcomes New Doctoral Students

On Friday, June 20, the College of Education, Health, and Human Services Ed.D program hosted a reception and orientation for its sixth cohort.  Cohort Six was greeted by Dean Janine Janosky, several members of the CEHHS Department of Education faculty, and students from previous cohorts.

L-R: Dr. Susan Everett, Macell Myers,
Zeinab Sobh-Ahmed & Kellie Hughes 

Presentations from the Ed.D program directors, the Mardigian Library, Financial Aid, and Student Services culminated in a meet-and-greet with students and faculty in the Michigan Rooms in Fairlane Center South.

Cohort Six will begin coursework this Fall 2014.  Welcome to UM-Dearborn and CEHHS, Cohort Six!

Ed.D Students' Publications & Presentations

John Branch, Cohort Three, has been recently published as an editor in Cased-based Learning in Higher Education.  

Aaron Kinzel, Cohort Five, presented "The Importance Of Education Within the Criminal Justice System" at the Toledoans for Prison Awareness for their second-annual prison awareness week.

Congratulations, John and Aaron!  Learn more about our Ed.D program and our students by visiting the program page as well as the Ed.D Facebook Group.

New Directors Named in CEHHS

Recently, Dean Janosky announced and named the following director-level positions within the College of Education, Health, and Human Services.  This move helps organize administrative duties within the college.

• Martha Adler - Director of Field Placement for the college
• Bonnie Beyer and Chris Burke - Co-Directors of the Ed.D. and Ed.S. programs.
• Stein Brunvand - Director of Master Degree Programs

Please join us in congratulating the faculty on their new positions!

Welcome New CEHHS Faculty!

The College of Education, Health, and Human Services is pleased to welcome new tenure track faculty to the unit!

Dr. Natalie Sampson is our first tenure track hire within the Department of Health and Human Services. Dr. Sampson holds a Ph.D. from U of M-Ann Arbor’s Department of Health Behavior and Health Education in the School of Public Health, a M.P.H. from Portland State University’s School of Community Health, and a B.S. from U of M-Ann Arbor’s School of Natural Resources and the Environment. Natalie’s research focuses on a variety of environmental planning issues, including climate change, freight transport, land use, and water infrastructure— primarily as these topics relate to public health and environmental justice. Over the last several years, she has collaborated with diverse community partners to conduct and translate research as part of U of M’s Detroit Community-Academic Urban Research Center and the Environmental Health Sciences’ Community Outreach and Engagement Core. Natalie also has experience in instructional development, and recently worked as a graduate teaching consultant with U of M’s Center for Research on Learning and Teaching.

The Department of Education is pleased to hire Mr. David Hill, who is currently a doctoral candidate in the Program of Special Education, in the Department of Instruction & Learning, at the University of Pittsburgh. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education from Middle Tennessee State University, a Master of Education in Special Education & Disability Services from the University of North Florida, and a Master of Studies in Law from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.  Mr. Hill spent 11 years in K-12 education as a National Board Certified Teacher and administrator working with students with intellectual disabilities, autism, emotional disturbance, and learning disabilities.  Mr. Hill has been involved with multiple research projects involving reading interventions for students with intellectual disabilities and he served as a Task Development Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment.  David’s dissertation focuses on reading interventions for students with intellectual disabilities and is scheduled for defense in mid-June.