August 2025

From the faculty and staff convocation to the CEPS Kick-Off meeting and department retreats, numerous exciting events were held to welcome everyone back for the new school year!

Provost Shelton suprised the CEPS with a visit from the one and only Swisher3X.

He definitely brought the hype to campus!

Associate Dean, Nilufer Guler, recently had two accepted proposals.

She will present "Increasing Global Competency: Exploring the Transformational Learning of the Teacher Education Faculty”, and “Teaching English Language Learners: Exploring the Instructional Modifications Mainstream Teachers Use”, at the 2025 Annual American Educational Studies Association (AESA) Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico in October.

She also had a recent publication acceptance titled, "Exploring Global Englishes in study abroad contexts: Pre-service English language teachers’ awareness and emotions."

Congratulations, Dr. Guler, on this huge accomplishment!

Dr. Diane Best received the Alabama Career Technical Education Post Secondary Teacher of the Year and Post- Secondary Professional of the Year awards at the Alabama CTE Summer Professional Development Conference in Mobile, AL.

Trey'Vionne (Trey) Marshall, a junior special education major from Brantley, Ala., has been awarded the national Jordan Smith Fellowship Award, which recognizes undergraduate students who support first-year student success on their campus.

Congratulations, Trey, on this huge accomplishment!

To read more, please visit the following link:

Did you know that college students are invited to join the Literacy Council as well?

If you know someone at one of our local higher education institutions that has an interest in community involvement and a passion for literacy, make sure they see this flyer and join us on September 18th.

Drs. Alhammouri and Weathers conducted a STEM day at Charles R. Drew Middle School. The students used Python programming language to fly the drone.

We are so proud of these potential Gamecocks!!

On Monday, July 28th, Dr. Brandon Gilliland was informed that his latest article, “Assessment Practices in Democratic Classrooms” has been published in the Summer/Fall 2025 issue of Teaching Social Studies. This article explores how assessments in social studies classrooms can extend beyond testing recall by promoting student voice, civic engagement, and critical thinking. From student-led discussions to performance-based tasks, Dr. Gilliland outlines practical strategies that align classroom practice with democratic values.

Congratulations, Dr. Gilliland on all of your recent accomplishments!

CEPS faculty and staff enjoyed the day at the Jax State Regional Inservice Center

Lisa Smith recently joined the Inservice Center team as the new Budget Analyst.

Congratulations, Lisa, on your new position!

This is a Brand new, never-before-offered PLU opportunity for administrators. Join ATIMs Andrea Taylor (Jax State University) and Carol Foster (Auburn University) for PLUACLD1394: Innovative Reflections- Building A Culture of Reflection Schoolwide Using AI

✅ACLD and APLDS approved!

✅Virtual

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To learn more about the Regional Inservice Center and all of the opportunities that they offer, please visit the link below:

Dr. Priscilla Wilson has announced that she will be retiring at the end of the Fall 2025 semester.

Dr. Wilson enjoyed one last opportunity to hood graduates from the Professional Counseling & Leadership Department at the summer commencement ceremony. Pictured graduates include Allison Hayes, Kayley Stanley, and Kaela Rodriguez

Thank you Dr. Wilson for always supporting our students and for your years of dedication to Jax State's College of Education & Professional Studies.

Congratulations on your retirement!

Jacksonville State University has been selected as one of only two universities in Alabama to participate in the Alabama Commission on Higher Education’s (ACHE) new Pathways to Progress Initiative. The state-funded program is designed to help adults return to college, complete their degrees, and strengthen Alabama’s workforce.

To learn more about this program click the link below!

Kicking off the Fall 2025 semester with good vibes and energy! Our first day of Content Block was a success.

Here's to creating unforgettable memories and making it the best semester yet!

ECE Block kicked off the semester with orientation today! We are excited to welcome one of the largest cohorts in our history with 93 students this semester!

It’s a great day to be a preservice teacher at Jacksonville State University!

Calling All Educators!

Are you ready to make a lasting impact on the next generation of teachers? We’re looking for passionate, dedicated educators to serve as Cooperating Teachers for teacher candidates from Jacksonville State University.

As a cooperating teacher, you’ll:

📍Mentor and support future educators

📍Share your expertise and classroom experience

📍Play a vital role in shaping the future of education

If you’re interested in making a difference, check out the flyer below for details on how to sign up.

Priscilla Wilson

Angie Roberts

Our featured staff member for the month of August is Matt Howell, an Academic Advisor here in the College of Education and Professional Studies.

Mr. Howell currently advises Early Childhood / Elementary Education and all Family and Consumer Science majors. He graduated from Jax State last summer (2024), after a 28-year hiatus.

Mr. Howell is a former tennis teaching professional, and it remains one of his greatest passions. Outside of tennis, he enjoys traveling, video games, his family, and music.

FUN FACT:

Mr. Howell stated that he can admit to being a Swifty over fifty and enjoyed the opportunity to see Taylor's Era’s Tour in Paris last summer!

Thank you, Matt, for all of your dedication to the CEPS and all of our students!

The CEPS featured student for the month of August is Miss Madison Danielle Ivey.

Miss Ivey is from Bowdon, Georgia, and is currently enrolled in the Lit Block program at Jacksonville State University. She plans to graduate in the spring of 2026 with the goal of becoming a kindergarten teacher.

As a Christian, her faith plays an important role in her life and inspires the way she approaches teaching. Her main focus being kindness, having patience, and having a heart for serving others.

What excites Miss Ivey the most about this journey is the opportunity to eventually have her own classroom and build meaningful connections with her students.

Congratulations, Madison!

Kimberly Warfield

James McGahey

Ahmad Alhammouri

Russell Hammack

Cynthia Connor

Shana Smith

Liza Hallsten

Jasmine Prater

Email: amroberts@jsu.edu
Website: https://www.jsu.edu/education/index.html
Location: 115 College Street Southwest, Jacksonville, AL, USA
Phone: 256-782-8200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JSUEducation/
Twitter: @JSU_SoE