Dr. Theresa Cullen has added the duties of director of the Arkansas Tech College Middle for School Studying, Innovation and School Engagement (LIFE) to her tasks.
Previously often known as the ATU Middle for Excellence in Instructing and Studying (CETL), the ATU Middle for School LIFE presents common skilled growth alternatives for ATU college members, facilitates applications that enable ATU college and workers to pursue higher well-being and oversees a badging program that provides credentials for college members who pursue steady enchancment via lifelong studying.
The identify change went into impact Aug. 1, 2023.
In keeping with its mission assertion, the ATU Middle for School LIFE exists to “encourage and help college of their instructing, service and scholarship roles by fostering development, innovation, group and engagement.”
The middle’s imaginative and prescient assertion expresses that it “promotes pupil success and group via supporting college in all aspects of the college expertise and in help of the strategic plan of Arkansas Tech College.”
Cullen joined Arkansas Tech on July 1, 2020. She serves as head of the ATU Division of Instructing and Instructional Management and professor of curriculum and instruction.
She got here to Arkansas Tech from the College of Oklahoma, the place she was an affiliate professor and the John and Jane Kenney Endowed STEM Fellow within the Jeannine Rainbolt School of Schooling.
Cullen was on the college in Norman from 2006-20. Alongside the way in which, she was named an Apple Distinguished Educator, served on the Oklahoma State Division of Schooling Know-how Advisory Board and the Oklahoma State Division Pc Science Requirements Committee Evaluation Board and presided as chair of the Jeannine Rainbolt School of Schooling Instructional Know-how Committee on the College of Oklahoma.
She pursued the division head place at Arkansas Tech as a result of she needed to return to an surroundings extra much like the one at Northwest Missouri State College, the place she earned her Bachelor of Science in Schooling diploma, her Grasp of Science diploma in class pc research and served as an teacher in pc science and data programs.
“After being a part of the ATU group for 3 years, I’ve seen all the great that we are able to do for college students and the extent of college dedication to our mission and imaginative and prescient,” stated Cullen. “I’m excited to have the ability to use my coaching and background to assist help college on this dedication. I additionally hope to make use of skilled growth actions to strengthen the robust group of college and workers we have already got at Arkansas Tech.”
Cullen’s curiosity in integrating expertise and studying is what drove her to earn a Grasp of Science diploma and a Physician of Philosophy diploma in tutorial programs expertise from Indiana College.
“I’m most enthusiastic about with the ability to work with individuals from all throughout campus and have interaction in inventive program planning and drawback fixing,” stated Cullen.
Becoming a member of Cullen on the ATU Middle for School LIFE management crew will likely be Dr. Alexis Johnson, affiliate professor of communication. Johnson will function ATU Middle for School LIFE assistant director.
“I’m delighted to be working with the ATU Middle of School LIFE as a result of I actually consider that we are able to proceed to study and develop as educators,” stated Johnson. “My hope is that I can attain my colleagues and help them in conducting their objectives, whether or not that’s offering an exercise that reminds them of their ‘why’ for pursuing a profession in greater training or aiding them to find useful assets. I’ve discovered a lot in my very own profession about person-centered communication and communicated narrative sense-making that I’ll carry into my position on the heart.”
Johnson stated she plans to use analysis outcomes relating to narratives by Dr. Jody Koenig Kellas of the College of Nebraska to assist her fellow ATU college members pursue improved communication, well being (psychological, bodily and relational) and well-being.
“In understanding my colleagues’ narratives, I can uncover methods to advertise fulfilling skilled growth for them that assist them uncover their passions in greater training,” stated Johnson. “This — partly — will give them the instruments wanted to take heed to and perceive their college students’ tales. In doing so, they may achieve a stronger sense of what their college students have to thrive throughout their faculty careers.”
Johnson holds a Bachelor of Arts diploma from the College of Illinois-Chicago, a Grasp of Arts diploma from Northeastern Illinois College and a Physician of Philosophy diploma from the College of Nebraska-Lincoln. She joined the ATU college in 2015.
“If we are able to handle ourselves, develop and ignite a spark of curiosity in ourselves, we’re capable of translate that to others,” stated Johnson. “Studying methods to enhance communication and listening will present steerage for ensuring all college students have entry to assets that can promote tutorial success. I’m keen to talk with colleagues and study extra about what they wish to see from our heart and the way I can finest help them.”