College of Education

The hits keep on coming for a winning combination of GCU faculty members from the College of Education. Emily Pottinger and Dr. Meredith Critchfield’s “Top of the Class” podcast has been given top ratings by all of its iTune reviewers so far. And the first audio drop of the year on civil discussion in the classroom is one hint why.

Dr. Stephanie Nilsen, Assistant Professor in the College of Education, has a doctorate in Infant and Early Childhood Development with an emphasis in Mental Health and Developmental Disorders and says she is “a firm believer in social and emotional approaches to education that take into account trauma, mental health and exceptionalities.” But she also is a skilled musician — check out how many instruments she can play.

Run to Fight Children’s Cancer looks a little different this year — the Children’s Cancer Network signature event is moving from the GCU campus to Salt River Fields in Scottsdale. But what remains the same is the University’s continued partnership with CCN, which continues to evolve as that relationship further aligns with GCU’s mission. Another aspect that remains the same is Run to Fight Night at the men’s basketball game Saturday night at GCU Arena, when 200-300 cancer-fighting superhero families will be celebrated.

Every year, we get a few heartwarming stories that make you shake your head when you realize what people do to make the world a better place for their families and their communities. GCU Today picked 10 from the last year that stood out in our minds. Here’s an opportunity to catch up on the ones you missed … or maybe enjoy them again.

GCU News Bureau A special edition of the Journal of Instructional Research features several articles from Grand Canyon University faculty. JIR features theoretical and empirically-based research articles, critical reflection pieces, case studies and classroom innovations relevant to best practices in post-secondary instruction (including teaching, learning and assessment). The articles listed below are available here: “Defining Effective Online Pedagogy,” John Steele, Rick Holbeck, Jean Mendernach Ten Strategic Points: A Framework for Doctoral Dissertations Students to Conceptualize their Research Design in a Doctoral Residency Program,” Cynthia Bainbridge, Christie McClendon, June Maul “The Goldilocks Paradox: The Need for Instructor Presence but Not Too Much in an Online Discussion Forum,” Elizabeth Larson, Jacob Aroz, Eric Nordin “Virtual Professional Communities: Integrative Faculty Support to Foster Effective Teaching,” Katie Sprute, Crystal McCabe, Lynn Basko, Paul Danuser “Exploring Quiz-Style PowerPoint Games as an Innovative e-Learning and Teaching Pedagogy,” Nikki Squire “Reflective Practice through Mentorship: A Program Reflection,” Emily Pottinger, Rebekah Dyer and Jena Akard “Using OBS to Create Video Lectures for Online Counseling Students,” Daniel A. Kauffman “Active Classrooms: Great for Academic Performance, but can They Improve Student Health? A Critical Literature Review,” Mike Swoboda The Intersection of Theory and Practice in Teacher Preparation Courses,” Brandon Juarez “Alternative Mentoring for Psychology Students,” […]

Photos by Ralph Freso and Elizabeth Tinajero GCU News Bureau The 2 p.m. ceremony Friday in Winter Commencement at Grand Canyon University featured graduates of the College of Education, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Science, Engineering and Technology and the College of Theology.  

Lopes Teach Up Week runs through Wednesday and is focused on helping students secure teaching positions and advocating for teaching and education professions. The Provost Speaker Series event on Monday, “Teacher Advocacy and Self-Care,” included a panel discussion on advocating for yourself.

Colangelo College of Business students aren’t the only ones who need to learn how to handle personal finances, of course, so Money Week was expanded this year to College of Education classrooms. Dr. Suzanne Zentner, Assistant Superintendent of Strategy and Business Development for Gilbert Public Schools, is sharing her district’s holistic approach to its employees.

University development manager Sarah Wade is a GCU graduate and is working on her doctorate. Her daughter went to GCU and now teaches at a Southern California high school that has several other GCU connections. “I feel like I can’t go anywhere without somebody knowing somebody who is on campus at GCU,” Wade said.

Saturday was a day of celebration as Grand Canyon University’s Alpha Chi chapter inducted 1,212 new members into the prestigious honors society. Only students within the top 10% of their graduating class in each of their individual colleges are eligible. “GCU does attract a lot of exceptional learners,” Honors College Associate Dean Breanna Naegeli said.