From the Dean
I have the privilege of leading and being part of the Reich College of Education (RCOE), and I am pleased to share the Strategic Priorities that guide our work. These priorities reflect relevant and intentional goals designed to advance the work of the college in a collaborative and dynamic manner. As colleges of education across the nation navigate complex challenges and evolving expectations, we believe these priorities, goals, and actions position us to create meaningful opportunities for growth, innovation, and learning.
The information outlined in these priorities helps guide decision-making and supports the development and allocation of resources. Just as importantly, it strengthens our ability to communicate around shared goals and a common vision for the future. As we move forward, it is our hope that these priorities will continue to strengthen our identity and presence within the university and the broader community through thoughtful, informed conversations and purposeful action.
While this document provides direction for our work, it is also intended to be a living guide — one that evolves through ongoing review, reflection, and refinement to ensure continued progress, responsiveness, and relevance.
-- Dr. Melba Spooner, Dean, Reich College of Education
The Big Goal
Serve Reich College of Education faculty, staff, students, and community partners utilizing an innovative culture and advocacy for public education and human development.
Key Priority One
Provide student-centered, innovative, relevant, and flexible educational programs and experiences.
Ensure cohesion and relevance within program offerings.
Identify and develop innovative new learning opportunities.
Ensure that candidates have a solid foundation in media and technology and their implications for practice.
Create initiatives, resources, and supports to enhance student success before, during, and after their academic careers.
Key Priority Two
Cultivate a collaborative RCOE culture grounded in intentional alignment and proactive engagement.
Develop internal capacity and deliberate structures for collaborative, strategic, and adaptive thinking, with increased cross-collaboration between all departments, units, centers, and programs.
- Cultivate a unified RCOE identity and culture by integrating departments, structures, and programs around a shared roadmap for future impact and growth.
Support RCOE staff and faculty in the development of agile and innovative practices to design, facilitate, teach, and co-construct our future.
Increase transparency in decision-making, funding, and communications through a framework to support innovation and flexibility.
Enhance connections between RCOE faculty, staff, and students.
Ensure excellence efforts are embedded and centered within every department and level of the organization via specific outcomes, measures, and supports on an ongoing basis.
Ensure staff, faculty, and student support.
Key Priority Three
Expand access for students and improve retention and completion rates in RCOE.
Improve enrollment management, retention, completion rates, and learning outcomes.
Partner with community colleges to create accessible, high-quality 2+2 programs to build an expanding pipeline of future teachers.
Expand differentiated and high-quality online programs aligned to alternative pathways (e.g., paraprofessional to teacher, 2+2, district partnerships, therapeutic virtual workshops, etc.).
Key Priority Four
Advocate through expanded leadership, research, and outreach in the fields of public education and human development, regionally, nationally, and globally.
Build capacity for increased research, resources, scholarly contributions, and creative activity.
Continue to enhance partnerships with P-20 and other organizations to ensure RCOE is continuously examining and improving teaching, learning, and counseling practices.
Ensure RCOE has visibility and voice as a respected leader in statewide and national P-20 and human development policy conversations, particularly in support of existing teacher education programs, as evidenced by activities such as speaking engagements, lab efforts, and partnerships.
Empower RCOE students to become the next generation of leaders and advocates for the teaching, educational leadership, and human development professions.