Getting to Know: Professional Studies and Applied Sciences

Q: What are your chief responsibilities as Dean of the School of Professional Studies and Applied Sciences (PSAS)?

I am responsible for the supervision of faculty and staff of two departments –

Professional Studies: Education, Counseling, Psychological Sciences, and Social Work,

Applied Sciences: Human Performance, Family and Consumer Science, Rangeland, and Military Science Leadership.

In addition, I oversee issues related to accreditation for the institution, assessment related to that accreditation, and finally, for all matters relating to undergraduate coursework. In this area, I am also responsible to review and approve all course substitutions, independent studies and incompletes for undergraduate students.

Q: How has the recent reorganization of CSC schools and departments affected the departments in the School of PSAS? How will the reorganization benefit Chadron State College and students?

The two new departments in the school were created by merging existing departments. The two new departments and the schools were able to easily come together and from the start worked to ensure that students were the focal point of any changes. It has been interesting to note that when these groups came together some new courses and potential programs began to be discussed. While it might not seem that Counseling and Equine Studies have much in common, at the very first meeting, the idea of courses in Equine Therapy emerged with faculty in both Range and Counseling now working to see what is involved in creating this option. I believe that students in all the programs in the School of PSAS will see a number of positive results of the reorganization.

Q: What common threads do you find in the diverse departments comprising the School of PSAS?

The new departments are connected in a number of ways. Education and Psychological Sciences are both interested in issues related to teaching and learning. HPER and FCS are interested in issues around nutrition and community health and well-being. All of these programs are now able to work on them within their departments. All the programs in PSAS also address the frontier and remote nature of CSC. Having Rangeland join the school has tended to intensify the recognition of how our geography impacts who we are and what we do. I believe that putting these groups together really ties the teaching, research, and service of the school to the CSC mission which is to “enrich the quality of life in the region by providing educational opportunities, research, service, and programs that contribute significantly to the vitality and diversity of the region.”

Q: How do you stay informed of the needs of the faculty and staff in the School of Professional Studies and Applied Sciences? 

This has been interesting. For me, it involves getting out of my office as much as possible and into the offices and classrooms of the PSAS faculty. I also have established meetings with the Department Chairs to go over current issues and needs. We meet monthly as a school and I try to get to the department meetings each month. As Dean Margetts mentioned in his Q&A, I appreciate the opportunity to meet with each faculty and staff member annually to review their professional activities and goals. Finally, I keep my door open and invite faculty and staff to visit with me at any time if they have questions, concerns, or need assistance.

Q: How do you keep in touch with student learning and achievements in the departments?

Having been an educator most of my life, issues of teaching and learning have been the focus of what I do. I returned to school to get my doctorate because of an interest in how quality professional development impacts improved student performance. I really enjoy the conversations I have with faculty about what they are doing in the classroom. I also enjoy hearing academic success stories through emails from faculty and students. I often am pleasantly surprised to find out about these achievements in the student newspaper or in the news sections of the CSC webpage. Finally, I love being invited into classrooms to observe lessons. I have been known to pop into classrooms out of curiosity when I pass by a room and observe some interesting activities. I have always loved being a student, and now I get to learn more about new content areas (and not have to worry about taking a test on it). I also try to talk to as many students as possible in every discipline in the school. With faculty and classrooms in four buildings across campus I get to wander a lot, and my hope is that students feel free to talk to me when they see me on campus.

Q: How does Chadron State keep students abreast of technological and regulatory changes in the fields of Professional Studies and Applied Sciences? 

The easy answer to the technology question is that we do this through specific coursework. But that is only part of what we need to do. Modeling effective use of technology within the discipline is also required. Trying to stay ahead of the curve on technology is a challenge to everyone, but I know we do our best to stay current in this area. The regulatory changes are really critical. CSC is an institutional member and Nebraska is a state member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA). One of my additional duties is to ensure that the college is in compliance with SARA regulations, one of which is to accurately inform students of any regulatory changes in their area of study. Because education, counseling, and social work have state certification requirements, the Professional Studies Department has a certification officer who works with educators and counselors. Social Work has a director who performs the same service for its students.

Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of your work as CSC Dean?

It has to be the people at CSC. The faculty and staff are focused on student success. The other Deans and the Vice President for Academic Affairs are collaborative and everyone shares a desire to do what is best for the students, faculty, and staff. I really enjoy the fact that due to our size it is easy to know everyone. I enjoy going to student events and being able to recognize the students from PSAS, and to see the faculty there to support them. CSC has created a caring and supportive community and it has been a pleasure to be able to become a member of that community.