Message From the Dean: September 2022

Dear SOE Billiken Alums,

The start of the fall 2022 semester is finally here and I sense a real positivity and optimism here on campus. It is truly a gift for me to work and serve on a beautiful college campus, where I am graced with the opportunity to be part of new excitement and enthusiasm each and every year! I know that many of our Billiken alums are also working in school settings and lucky enough to feel a similar energy and renewal each autumn.  

In this newsletter, we are again pleased to share updates about our programs and events that highlight the good work that our faculty are doing.  

We are very happy to share the news that our SOE recently unveiled the new name for the master of arts in teaching with the alternative teacher certification pathway: St. Louis Teaching Fellows @ SLU. We celebrated the arrival of the members of the third cohort with an energizing ceremony as they began the program in June.  

The SOE continues to grow and we are pleased to announce new members to our SOE team in 2022. First, we highlight three new faculty members who joined the School this fall: Darnell Leatherwood, Jeannine Butler and Robert Vogelaar.  Also, we are delighted to introduce Alexandra Boyd, who joined the School of Education to lead our public charter school partnerships.

On the research front, there is good news to share as well. We begin with a story about Christa Jackson, and the new iSCORE institute that she launched to provide underrepresented students opportunities in the STEM fields. In addition, we are excited to share the news that the School’s PRiME Center secured a three year grant renewal. This additional funding will allow continued growth and outreach activities of the center at least through the year 2025.

And finally, SLU’s Homecoming and Family Weekend returns this year September 23-25.  We hope you’ll be able to join us!

As always, please let us know if there are ways we can support you better or communicate with you more effectively. Please stay healthy and safe, and we look forward to seeing you on campus!

Best wishes,

Gary W. Ritter, Ph.D.

Dean, School of Education