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Volume 4, Issue 2

Graduate Student Recognitions

Teacher of the Year AwardsProject Safety N.E.T.

Order of Pegasus Award RecipientsNational Urban Special Ed. Leadership Initiative

Program Rankings

Spotlight on CTE Graduates

Faculty Awards, Publications and PresentationsCalendar of Events

You’re Hired

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Funding for Exceptional Ed Grad Students

Features

Graduate Student RecognitionsCounselor EducationPatrick Mullen received the American Counseling Association Glen E. Hubele National Graduate Student Award, March 2014.

Andrew Wood, Counselor Education doctoral student, received the 2013-2014 Research Award from the Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling (ASERVIC).

Advised by Dr. Bryce Hagedorn, the UCF Master’s Ethics Team won second place in the American Counseling Association (ACA) Graduate Student Ethics Competition which was held in Alexandria, VA at the end of last year. The award will be presented on March 29, 2014 at the ACA Conference in Honolulu, Hawaii. Team members include Alina Soddiqui, Courtney Fyvolent, and Katelyn Foudray.

Exceptional EducationDr. Katie Miller received the Dissertation of the Year Award from the Research Committee of the Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children, November 2013.

Karin Fisher, a doctoral student enrolled in the Exceptional Education program, led a robotics team for kids with autism. Click here to view a video of the competition that was covered by Channel 6 News on February 18, 2014. The competition was held at the Arbor School of Central Florida.

12The Counselor Education Program is ranked nationally as #7 by U.S. News and World Report.

CFCS Program Rankings on the Rise

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44556

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The Exceptional Student Education Program is ranked nationally as #12 by U.S. News and World Report.

Exceptional Student Education

Counselor Education7

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During her last semester, Courtney Buzan has surely made her mark at UCF as indicated by receiving the Order of Pegasus Award. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Applied Meteorology from Embry Riddle University, Courtney decided to follow her passion of “people development” here at UCF. Courtney’s career interests are currently in student affairs and involvement, with an aspiration to move toward administration. With a holistic approach to graduate school in mind, Courtney secured a graduate assistantship with the Office of Student Involvement at UCF, connecting with over 500 campus-wide student organizations. She has also recently completed President Hitt’s Leadership Council program, which is highly selective and granted her opportunities that she otherwise would not have received.

Courtney was the only Master’s level recipient of the Order of Pegasus award. When asked about her knowledge of research, she stated the familiar slogan, “UCF stands for opportunity,” and the institution grants her the opportunity to conduct research everyday with the students by changing the variables needed to help each student succeed.

Stacey Hardin has many research lines that she is focusing on; such as, culturally responsive pedagogy, and instruction and curriculum in STEM areas. Her passion is, however, shedding light on females with emotional and behavioral disabilities, which is the topic of her dissertation. During her time at UCF, Stacey has worked with the TeachLivETM program under Dr. Lisa Dieker’s guidance. After graduation this summer, Stacey plans to continue working with the TeachLivETM program by building a partnership with Illinois State University where she has accepted a position as an Assistant Professor, starting fall 2014.

During a brief interview about the award, it was clear that Stacey was excited about the nomination, but it was more important to her that this recognition helped validate the importance of her work and that her research was not only important to her, but to others in the college and university. When asked about her achievements and the force that helps drive her, Stacey humbly replied that her daughter helped her get through the program by support-ing her the whole way through.

Order of Pegasus Award RecipientsSpring 2014 recipients of the UCF Order of Pegasus Award were announced, and two of the four graduate level awards went to scholars in the Department of Child, Family and Community Sciences. The Order of Pegasus Award is the highest honor that UCF bestows on students.

Courtney BuzanM.A. StudentHigher Education & Policy Studies

Stacey HardinPh.D. CandidateExceptional Education

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Grants Received

Drs. Lisa Dieker and Eleazar Vasquez were awarded two federal grants from the Office of Special Education Programs. Grant dollars, totaling $2,500,000 over a five year period, will be used to support doctoral students’ preparation, and master’s students seeking Autism Certification in Exceptional Education.

National Urban Special Education Leadership Initiative: A Model$2 million received from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs

The University of Central Florida will partner with the Urban Special Education Leadership Collaborative, Orange County Public Schools and Miami Dade Public Schools, both large urban districts in Florida, to implement a special program designed to redefine roles, strengthen competence, and provide adequate support for school leaders in the area of special education. The project will provide three major outcomes: (1) Development and implementation of a model program for an Education Doctorate (Ed.D.) degree with a specialization in Special Education Leadership for urban special education administrators; (2) Creation of a cadre of experts in special education urban leadership to act as a National Faculty which will aid in instructing the doctoral candidates and provide ongoing advice for the implementation and assessment of the initiative, (3) Graduation of 12 urban special education administration fellows with the Ed.D. degree to serve as leaders in their respective school systems as new members of the National Faculty which will form the core of a national network of urban special education leaders. This effort is designed to address the critical gaps between the traditional preparation of urban special education mid-level administrators and the skills, knowledge, and dispositions needed for full implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) of 2004. It will provide leadership development, mentoring and focused networking opportunities for mid-level special education leaders in urban school districts. The integrated curricula and practicum experiences will include cross-cutting work on the substantive content and strategies of high quality special education programs in urban settings. Particular attention will be paid to effective collaboration between special and general educators, families and the urban community. The program was funded initially in 2006 until 2011 and funded a second time in 2011 until 2014. The first grant supported 12 doctoral students and all 12 have since graduated - an amazing 100% graduation rate. Currently, 14 students are working towards completion of the educational doctorate with one person graduating Spring 2014. Six students are involved in dissertation work and are expected to graduate Fall 2014. Seven individuals are on track to complete course work during Spring 2014 and plan to complete comprehensive exams and dissertation prospectus in Summer 2014 with dissertation enrollment beginning Fall 2014. Dr. Suzanne Martin has been assisted on the project by Dr. Martha Lue Stewart, Dr. Katie Miller and doctoral candidate Jillian Gourwitz. Many faculty have assisted by serving on dissertation committees and their work is greatly appreciated.

Dr. Suzanne Martin

$2.5 Million in Fundingfor Graduate Exceptional Education

Dr. Lisa Dieker

Dr. Eleazar Vasquez

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Teacher of the Year AwardsCarolyn Rethswich, Exceptional Student Education master’s degree graduate, received a “2014 Teacher of the Year” award from The Galileo School in Seminole County.

Patricia Spencer, Exceptional Student Education master’s degree graduate, was awarded a “2014 Teacher of the Year” award from Timber Crest Elementary School in Volusia County.

Project Safety N.E.T. is a program designed to improve student learning and development (especially those struggling to learn) with a “safety net” of teams of educators, parents, and school personnel. The teams work collaboratively to assure that the whole child’s needs are addressed through a coordinated and efficient system of research and support. Collaboration among educational partners will include educators both within UCF and throughout Florida. Project Safety N.E.T. will effectively network educational teams within UCF with families across schools in central Florida.

The CEDHP faculty in collaboration with other UCF faculty, families, and educators within local school districts will serve as the research and development action team for this project. The program objectives will (a) address the academic and social needs of diverse students with and without disabilities; (b) co-develop additional, intensive intervention services for students with disabilities and those at risk; (c) refer and provide other related services available throughout the clinics in the CEDHP to participants, regardless of initial point of contact; and (d) develop a larger database of students, services, and results for enhanced research purposes. These objectives will enhance the research and services already provided to students by combining the efforts of the CEDHP Reading Clinic, the Counseling Research Center, and the Graduate program in Exceptional Student Education, specifically the development of the multi-disciplinary Intervention Specialist Certificate.

During the initial semester of funding, Project Safety N.E.T. will focus on the development of a coordinated intake service provision, data collection, and research agenda created among the faculty stakeholders, in collaboration with faculty of current clinics as they enhance intervention services. During the second and third semesters of funding, pilot implementation across clinics and courses will be initiated. Specifically, graduate and undergraduate teacher candidates at UCF will work collaboratively to assess, instruct and intervene with students in reading across tiers of instruction and intervention.

A multi-pronged approach is anticipated. Utilizing the TJEEI clinic space and Counseling Research Center, graduate students will use knowledge and resources to develop individual instructional plans. For students with current Individual Education Plans (IEPs) or those in need of more intensive instruction, graduate students enrolled in Exceptional Student Education will develop and implement individual specialized interventions. In addition, teacher candidates within special education will then assume case management and coordinate additional services, as needed (e.g., Counseling Research Center, Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, Clinic for Assistive Technology at COHPA, etc.) to meet the needs of the whole child on a case by case basis. Initial research data will be collected, aggregated, and reviewed for both continuous improvement and dissemination in professional journals.

Led by Drs. Mary Little, Taylor Wenzel, and Glenn Lambie in the Child, Family and Community Sciences Department, this project was funded for one year for $5000 by The Toni Jennings Exceptional Education Institute. The research project began at the end of January 2014. For additional information, contact Dr. Mary Little at www.Mary.Little@ucf.edu.

Network of Educational Teams Project Safety N.E.T.

Dr. Mary Little

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John Bonaccorso grew up in the town of East Setauket, New York, and in January 1973 he volunteered for military service. In 2004, he served as the Bravo Company Chief for Naval Mobile Construction-Battalion Fourteen, and was deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. While in Iraq in 2009, John was encouraged to finish his education degree. He soon contacted Dr. JoAnn Whiteman, Program Coordinator for Career and Technical Education in UCF’s College of Education and Human Performance, and he subsequently enrolled in classes from half way around the world. Eventually in 2011, John arrived on UCF’s campus in order to complete the program and on December 14, 2013, graduated from UCF with a Bachelor of Science degree in Technical Education and Industry Training. John desires to continue to work in the field of education as a mentor for students that are interested in the technical trades. He plans to use his military experiences and educational goals as catalysts in educating students for today’s trades and industries.

Spotlight on Career & Technical Education Graduates

John Bonaccorso

Kaitlyn Brooker is a native of Pietermaritzburg, South Africa where she lived on a sugar cane farm until the age of nine. By way of Chicago, she eventually moved to Orlando in 2000, and in 2009 enrolled at Valencia College and later through the Direct Connect program, matriculated at UCF where she received degrees in Psychology (Bachelor’s) and Career Technical Education (Master’s). According to Kaitlyn, earning her master’s degree is “one of her proudest accomplishments”. Now, as a Student Services Advisor at Valencia College - East Campus, Kaitlyn aspires to become a faculty member focusing on student success initiatives.Source: Laura Knight, The Grove (March 2013), Valencia College

Kaitlyn Brooker

Jaime Magnetico is now the Program Manager for Respiratory Therapy at Seminole State College. Jaime completed her degree in Career and Technical Education at UCF and previously was employed as the Director of Clinical Education for Concorde Career Institute in Orlando.

Jaime Magnetico

You’re Hired!Check out the list of 2014 CFCS graduates that accepted positions at universities across the country.

Counselor EducationJennifer Greene -Texas State UniversityCatherine Griffith - University of Massachusetts, AmherstDaniel Gutierrez - University of North CarolinaKristopher Hall - University of San DiegoPatrick Mullen - East Carolina UniversityDiandra Prescod - Texas State UniveristyRenee Sherrell - St. Joseph’s UniversityMelissa Zeligman - Georgia State University

Exceptional Student EducationStacey Hardin - Illinois State University

Congratulations2014 Graduates

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Faculty Update: Awards, Publications, & Presentations

Publications & Presentations

Awards

Oliver EdwardsDr. Oliver Edward’s article entitled, “A Brief Model for Graduate Teaching and Mentorship” was featured in the UCF Faculty Focus newsletter (Volume 12).

Glenn LambieSherrell, R. S., & Lambie, G. W. (in press, 2014). A qualitative investigation of college students’ facebook usage and relationship satisfaction: Implication for college counselors. Journal of College Counseling.

Lambie, G. W., Ascher, D. L., Sivo, S. A, & Hayes, B. G. (in press; July, 2014). Counselor education doctoral program faculty members’ refereed article publications. Journal of Counseling & Development.

Mullen, P. R., Lambie, G. W., & Conley, A. H. (2014). Development of the Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling Self-Efficacy Scale. Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development, 47(1), 62-78.

Matthew MarinoMarino, M. T., Gotch, C., Israel, M., Vasquez, E. III, Basham, J. D., & Becht, K. (2014). UDL in the middle school science classroom: Can video games and alternative text heighten engagement and

Dr. Dalena Dillman Taylor won the American Counseling Association Best Practices Award, March 2014.

Dr. Eleazar Vasquez received a “2014 Reach for the Stars” Award, given by President Hitt, Spring 2014.

Dr. Mark Young received the Distinguished Mentor Award from the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES), October 2013.

Dr. Andrew Daire received the 2013 Organizational Service Award from the European Branch of the American Counseling Association at the EB-ACA Conference held in Bad Herrenalb, Germany.

Dr. Grant Hayes was recognized as an American Counseling Association Fellow, March 2014.

Dr. Martha Lue Stewart received the 2014 UCF Woman Making History at UCF Award from the Executive Board of the UCF Center for the Success of Women Faculty.

learning for students with learning disabilities? Learning Disability Quarterly. doi:10.1177/0731948713503963.

Coy, K., Marino, M. T., & Serianni, B. (2014). Us-ing Universal Design for Learning in synchronous online instruction. Journal of Special Education Technology, 29(1), 63-74.

Basham, J. D., Smith, S. J., Greer, D. L., & Marino, M. T. (2013). The scaled arrival of K-12 online education: Emerging realities and implica-tions for the future of education. Journal of Educa-tion. 193(2), 51-60.

Stacy Van HornChristmas, C., & Van Horn, S. (February 6-9, 2014). Integrating Spirituality into Group Work: Applying the SPARC Group Model. Presentation at the Association for Specialists for Group Work (ASGW) Conference, Orlando, FL.

Van Horn, S., Mullen, P., & Lawson, D. (February 7, 2014). Crisis Management in Schools. Invited presenters at the University of Central Florida Sixth Annual Counseling Conference, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL.

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The Counselor Education program received

renewed accreditation status by the Council for

Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs

(CACREP).

Accreditation Update:

Managing Editor: Michelle Kepple, Doctoral Student; Supervising Editor: Brenda Thompson, Ed.D.

Calendar of EventsAIDS Walk March 29 (7:00 a.m.)Counselor Education Team Lake EolaUCF Upsilon Chi Chapter 512 E. Washington Street

Downtown Orlando

Student Research Week March 31 – April 3www.ResearchWeek.ucf.edu

Graduate Research Forum April 1 (12:00 – 4:00 p.m.)Pegasus Ballroom Student Union

Founders’ Day Honors Convocation April 2 (10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.)Pegasus Ballroom Student Union

Showcase of Undergraduate Research Excellence April 3 (1:00 – 5:00 p.m.)Pegasus BallroomStudent Union

CEDHP Research Seminar Series April 3 (2:30 – 4:30 p.m.)TA Room 117

National Faculty Presentations April 19 (8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) Dr. Barbara Jenkins, Superintendent of OCPS TA Room 130Dr. Bill Heller, Dean of College of Education USF - St. Petersburg Campus

Classes End April 21

Last Day to Remove Incomplete Grades April 21

Study Day April 22

Final Exams April 23 – 29

CEDHP Spring Commencement May 2 (1:30 p.m. Graduates line-up)CFE Arena

Grades Due in myUCF May 2 (12:00 Noon)

Grades Available in myUCF May 5 (9:00 a.m.)

Summer Sessions “A”, “C”, “D” Begin May 12

Memorial Holiday May 26

Summer Session “B” Begins June 23

Independence Day Holiday July 4

CEDHP Summer Commencement August 2 (Time - TBA) CFE Arena

CFCS Chronicle