By Michael Childs
UGA’s College of Education is undertaking a grassroots effort to redefine its vision, mission and goals for the beginning of the next century. There are no state or federal requirements forcing this reconsideration--the college is simply determining, through a broad-based ratification process, what it wants to be.
The Millennium Commission, a cross-section of more than 30 faculty members, staff, students and alumni, has been working on this project for several months, having been authorized to envision the college’s future by Dean Russell Yeany.
The group recently released a draft of its “first thoughts” for “The Next Great College of Education,” to open its doors in September 2004. They sought college-wide input by hosting a town-hall session in conjunction with the fall faculty meeting Oct. 8. The session was led by Barbara Wright, alumni president and commission co-chair; Jennifer Moon, graduate student; and Robert Branch, Joan Buttram and Carl Glickman, faculty representatives.
The commission’s report included several innovative goals:
- Every undergraduate and graduate student will demonstrate leadership.
- New academic programs will include collaborative work with other colleges across the university.
- Teaching, research and service by staff and faculty will include greater collaboration with community, state, national and international agencies.
“In the year 2004, the college’s students will be recognized for their leadership, have far greater choices of courses and each will be known well by their peers, faculty and staff,” says Branch, an associate professor in instructional technology. “In teaching, research and service, faculty and staff will demonstrate tangible benefits for improving education, learning and the general lives of citizens, communities and society at large. We will incorporate the wisdom of our extended college family, with alumni and retired faculty volunteering their expertise in career assistance and mentoring.”
 A recommitment will be made to diversity, equity and free expression, he says.
“What I encouraged the Millennium Commission to do was not to try to find another college to replicate--because there probably isn’t one. We already are in the highest echelon of recognition, external funding and quality programs,” says Dean Yeany. “Instead, our college should set the standard for the nation of what a powerful land-grant college of education should be doing.”
The group has studied programs at other colleges, looked at internal and external reports of current programs and activities, interviewed several deans, reviewed the college’s budget and trends and solicited feedback from faculty, staff, students and alumni.
Karen Holbrook, UGA’s senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, lauded the commission’s work as extremely important and asked that, as the project moved along, it be shared with all the deans.
A final version of the Phase One report re-defining the college’s vision, mission and goals is due Jan. 10, 1999. After its ratification by all constituents, the commission will move into Phase Two, drafting an implementation plan to be presented Jan. 10, 2000. Implementation is expected to begin in 2001, with full implementation by 2004.
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