Faculty and Staff of Workforce Development and Education Trustees create new College of Education and Human Ecology
Written by David Andrews, Dean, College of Education and Human Ecology
Today, The Ohio State University Board of Trustees unanimously approved the creation of the new College of Education and Human Ecology. This vote formalizes months of planning, research, and discussion and puts us on a path to do great things.
With the launch of our new college, we have an extraordinary opportunity. Today, we become a college with more resources, scholarly talent, and academic strength than ever before. Our ability to make an impact will increase dramatically because now we have a true multidisciplinary program that can take a comprehensive, holistic approach to complex educational, human, and consumer issues.
For example, we can improve our schools while addressing family problems that impede learning and development. We can promote high quality preschool environments as the foundation for our work in strengthening K-12 education. We can tackle obesity in young children by changing the behavior of families as consumers, improving nutrition, increasing exercise, and training teachers to get kids active. We can create new models for financing education with strategic alignment of public responsibility and family choice. These are just a few examples of the multiple synergies that will build on our rich traditions and inspire a higher level of research, teaching, and practice.
As we move forward in the months ahead, I truly believe we will become the premier College of Education and Human Ecology in the nation, one that attracts the best and brightest scholars, keeps our most talented minds in Ohio, and solves some of our nation’s most challenging problems.
Your support and enthusiasm through this process have been a source of inspiration and confidence. Yet there is still much to be done. It is going to take all of us working together to achieve the ambitious goals we’ve set for ourselves. Every academic area is important; this will be a true collective effort.
If you have comments, ideas, or suggestions, I invite you to send me a letter or e-mail. For current students, there are no changes in course requirements or schedules for your program. If you have questions beyond this, please see your advisor.
On a personal note, I am honored to be named the new dean of our new college. My tenure as interim dean of the College of Education has made me appreciative of the intellect of our faculty and the depth of loyalty and support from our alumni, students, and staff. I want to thank each and every one of you who have helped shape our new mission and vision. I value all of you and look forward to the excitement that lies ahead.
Sincerely,
David W. Andrews
Dean, College of Education and Human Ecology
The Ohio State University
127 Arps Hall
1945 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43210-1172
andrews.128@osu.edu
