Mission, Vision and Values
Partnering to Make the World a Better Place
Mission
The mission of the College of Education and Human Services is to:
- Collaborate with local, regional, national, and international stakeholders to promote transformational learning experiences;
- Establish and nurture partnerships with local institutions and agencies to address the needs of our community, which is inclusive of urban areas;
- Develop and offer rigorous programs of study that promote high standards;
- Use evidence-based practices to prepare effective practitioners who exhibit a professional disposition;
- Contribute to the knowledge base in our disciplines through quality scholarship; and
- Model and foster a commitment to professional growth, critical and creative thinking, and reflective practice.
Vision
The vision of the College of Education and Human Services is to be a premier college that:
- Is globally recognized for innovative programs and practices;
- Impacts our fields through high quality teaching, scholarship, and service; and
- Prepares graduates who are transformative leaders in their professions.
Values
The College of Education and Human Services values:
- Integrity that informs ethical behavior and professional excellence;
- Active engagement in efforts to promote equity and social justice;
- Respect for others demonstrated by caring, compassion, and cultural sensitivity; and
- Intellectual curiosity that leads to professional scholarship and innovation.
Diversity and Inclusion
As a core value, UNF promotes diversity by embracing and accepting diversity and inclusion as core institutional values. The College of Education and Human Services shares with the education community of Greater Jacksonville a firm commitment for an on-going and growing inclusive and diverse environment. Since the formation of UNF, the College of Education and Human Services has been commitment to advocating a quality and diverse society. COEHS strives to enhance communication, relationship building and a continued growing understanding of various cultures and their intersectionality and impact on educating our community, counties, city, state and nation.
Diversity and Inclusion Faculty Committee
The Diversity and Inclusion Faculty Committee assists with developing and implementing initiatives regarding the diversity of faculty, staff and students in the college. These endeavors include recruitment efforts, curriculum investigations and support in the programs.
Contact - Chris Janson, and the Director of the Center for Urban Education and Policy, c.janson@unf.edu
Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan
The College of Education and Human Services is developing a Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan to ensure that diversity and inclusion is at the center of our teaching, learning, research and service. The College's strategic diversity and inclusion plan sets goals and processes for the College to more fully embrace this critical mission.
Contact - Dan Dinsmore, Associate Dean of Research, External Funding and Faculty Development, daniel.dinsmore@unf.edu
COEHS Antiracism Working Group, Swooping for Equity
The COEHS Faculty Initiative through the Committee for Diversity and Inclusion formed an anti-racist working group that includes faculty, staff and students from across the COEHS' many disciplines who come together to create actionable change.
Contact - Lily Exantus, Graduate Assistant, lily.exantus@unf.edu and Lori Kuhn-Hancock, Graduate Assistant, lori.kuhnhancock@unf.edu
Curriculum Development
Faculty, staff, and students in the College of Education and Human Services are engaging in ongoing curriculum development to ensure that our courses are culturally responsive. Additionally, this curriculum work ensures that our students who teach in schools and work in the community are also prepared to engage with the community in culturally respectful and responsive ways.
Contact - Kim Cheek, Associate Professor, k.cheek@unf.edu
Equity Audits
COEHS faculty and the Center for Urban Education and Policy assist schools, universities, and other organizations in conducting Equity Audits. This process uses organizational and comparison data to highlight areas of equity and inequity in resources, processes, and outcomes. Equity Audits lead to improvement planning for more equitable and just schools and organizations.
Contact - Linda Skrla, Professor, l.skrla@unf.edu
National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity
UNF is a full member of the NCFDD and encourages faculty and doctoral students to participate. NCFPP provides resources to provide mentoring, networking and career development with an emphasis on ensuring equity and access at member universities.
Contact - Dan Dinsmore, Associate Dean of Research, External Funding and Faculty Development,daniel.dinsmore@unf.edu
Center for Urban Education and Policy (CUEP)
The CUEP empowers schools and communities by uniting strengths, inviting advocacy, and inspiring innovation. The CUEP provides the College support through unique programming and practices that allow us to continue to graduate educators who are prepared to work in our diverse community.
Contact - Chris Janson, Associate Professor and the Director of the Center for Urban Education and Policy, c.janson@unf.edu
Urban Professional Development Schools
Our Professional Development Schools (PDS) are PK-12 partner schools that function much like “teaching hospitals.” These schools prepare future and current educators using research-based instructional practices to enhance student learning.
Contact - Rebecca West Burns, Bill Herrold Endowed Professor and Director of Clinical Practice and Educational Partnerships, rebecca.west.burns@unf.edu
Jacksonville Teacher Residency (JTR)
Created in 2014 to address the high turnover rate of math and science teachers in Jacksonville’s high-needs middle and high schools, the Jacksonville Teacher Residency program is a partnership between Duval County Public Schools and UNF. The mission of the program is to recruit, prepare and retain a diverse population of highly effective teachers who serve in high needs schools to ensure that Duval County students are college and career ready.
Contact - Wanda Lastrapes, JTR Director, w.lastrapes@unf.edu
In 2018, UNF was selected for inclusion in the national Holmes Scholars Network which allows us to further our commitment to a diverse educator pipeline by offering students from under represented groups tailored support and mentoring, a full scholarship and opportunities to network with the national Holmes Scholar Community. The first cohort of Holmes Scholar recipients was announced in Spring 2020.
Contact - David Hoppey, Associate Professor, Director of the Ed.D. Program in Educational Leadership, david.hoppey@unf.edu
Urban Education Scholars
Beginning Fall of 2019, the College of Education and Human Services provides up to ten scholars a year with a guaranteed $6,000 in scholarship funds. The Urban Education Scholarships continue to facilitate the diversification of the educator pipeline to better reflect PK-12 demographics. Supporting the Northeast Florida region with qualified and diverse teachers is crucial. This program also establishes an environment of mentorship and support for participants and prepares students to engage in the larger professional community.
Contact - Rudy Jamison, Visiting Instructor, Assistant Director of Urban Education and Community Initiatives for the Center for Urban Education and Policy, rudy.jamison@unf.edu
Beginning in 2019, the Center for Urban Education and Policy hosts rising high school juniors and seniors in Northeast Florida to participate in our free one-week long summer camp. The camp and it’s transformational programming provides a bridge and an opportunity for traditionally under represented populations to explore higher education and teaching as a future career path.
Contact - Rudy Jamison, Visiting Instructor, Assistant Director of Urban Education and Community Initiatives for the Center for Urban Education and Policy, rudy.jamison@unf.edu
Bi-Weekly Check-ins for Students of Color
Every other Wednesday at 4:45 p.m. through the Summer, the School Counseling Department hosts a series of bi-weekly check-ins via Zoom where Dr. Sophie Filibert leads a nurturing safe space for students of color to support one another.
Contact - Sophie Filibert, Professor and School Counseling Program Director, so.filibert@unf.edu