IDPEL Outcomes for Degree Completion

Notable Accomplishments of Students and Alumni

Congratulations - Dr. Cynthia Zurchin of IDPEL Cohort 97 has been appointed Superintendent of the Ambridge School District. Cindy will begin her new position on July 1, 2013.

Congratulations - Dr. Brian Miller of IDPEL Cohort 09 was appointment as Superintendent of the Pine Richland School District on April 8, 2013.

Congratulations - Dr. Rodney Hopson along with ProDEL Cohort 1 students, Jacqueline Roebuck-Sakho, Tiffany Wilkins and Ronald Whitaker, II will present at the Critical Race Theory Workshop Conference, May 29-June 1 in Nashville, TN at Vanderbilt University. The group plans to focus on the ProDEL program's philosophy through the lens of improvement science, utilizing Interest Convergence as a conceptual framing.

Congratulations - Ronald W. Whitaker, II and Tiffany Wilkins of ProDEL Cohort 1 were named UCEA Barbara L. Jackson Scholars in August 2012.

Congratulations - Ronald W. Whitaker, II of ProDEL Cohort 1 was named the Pennsylvania State Chapter Representative for the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE) in December 2012.

Congratulations - Ronald W. Whitaker, II of ProDEL Cohort 1 was a presenter for the National Association of African American in Human Resources Driving Diversity Conference, March 1-2, 2013. The title of Ron's presentation is "Developing Strategies that Include All." The link to the conference can be found at http://www.tdsforum.com.

Accolades 2012

Congratulations - Dr. Edward Arke of Shippensburg Cohort '05 recently had a chapter published in a newly released book. Media Literacy: History, Progress and Future Hopes is part of The Oxford Handbook of Media Psychology-edited by Karen Dill. The book is part of the Oxford Library of Psychology and was released in December and is available on Amazon.

Congratulations - Dr. Wayde Killmeyer of IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort '06 recently received an outstanding citizenship award for making the Clairton community a better place.

Francine Endler is the WISE woman of Blair County- Jackie Bernard's son was in kindergarten when she first noticed Francine Endler.
Endler was the new principal at Allegheny No. 1 Elementary School in the Hollidaysburg Area School District where Bernard's daughter, Madison, now 16, attended. However, Bernard's son, Alec, now 12, and other kindergarten-age children weren't yet old enough to attend.
But on one of her first days as principal, Bernard recalls Endler standing outside and greeting each of the kindergarteners by name as they got onto their bus.
"I was so impressed with the fact that even though the kids were not staying at her school, she took the time to learn all of their names," said Bernard, the Blair County Deputy District Attorney. "She had my attention right from the get-go."
This type of behavior is typical of Endler, who is this year's recipient of the WISE Women of Blair County award for Education. Endler has been working in public education for the past 14 years, and before that with kids in foster care.
Endler, who lives in Duncansville with her husband, Douglas J., said she is both "humbled" and "thrilled beyond words" to receive this honor, especially as someone not born and raised in Blair County.
"It's very special to me because Blair County and the people of Blair County have been so accepting," Endler, 45, originally of Johnstown, said. "I feel very much that this is my home."
Endler received a bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of Pittsburgh, a master's degree in counseling services from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and two post-master's certificates. Aside from serving as principal for Allegheny No. 1, she is also the guidance department chairperson for the school district.
With all of her success, Endler still finds time to be a student. She is pursuing a doctoral degree in the educational leadership program at Duquesne University.
"I'm an extremely curious individual," Endler said. "As a leader for teachers and kids, I think it's important for them to see me as a student as well. I talk to students about how I have homework just like they do."
Despite what she's done personally, Endler considers her greatest accomplishments to be those she worked on collectively with the rest of the school staff.
This includes Allegheny No. 1 receiving Keystone Achievements Awards for the past eight consecutive years.
"It really speaks a lot to the students and staff," Endler said of the award. "Having the opportunity to lead a group to that level has been a wonderful journey."
Endler plans to continue working administratively in the public education system to satisfy her passion for helping teachers grow professionally. She also hopes to be a role model for kids, women and other educators who find themselves in leadership roles.
"I have benefited from so many people who have invested in my life, the people who saw leadership abilities in me and have encouraged me in my path," she said.
Bernard credits the influence of Endler and other early educators for why her children are doing so well in higher schooling.
"She definitely has a one-on-one relationship with her students," Bernard said. "I think students need to have adults they can trust and rely on. ... [Endler] is a professional woman who's gone above and beyond in her field."

Congratulations - Dr. John A. Giancola, Jr., Dr. John A. Giancola, Jr., a member of IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort '09 recently accepted a position at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit 3. John will be the English as a Second Language Supervisor.

Congratulations – Dr. Michael Latusek of IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort ’03 was recently appointment Superintendent of Catholic Schools effective September 1, 2012.

Congratulations - Dr. Deno DeCiantis’ Kellogg Award article, Northeast Region: Resilience, Conviviality, and the Engaged Studio , has been published in Volume 16 (3) of the Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement, and is available online at www.jheoe.uga.edu. The award article is part of the special issue dedicated to the theme of the 2011 National Outreach Scholarship Conference: Engaged Scholarship and Evidence – Based Practice, which was hosted by Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan on October 2-4, 2011. The goal of the Engagement Scholarship Consortium, which sponsors the conference, is to work collaboratively to build strong university-community partnerships anchored in the rigor of scholarship, and designed to help build community capacity.

Congratulations - Dr. Lina Dostilio is this year's recipient of the International Association for Research on Service Learning and Community Engagement's Dissertation Research Award 2012. As the 2012 awardee, she will be asked to attend this year's IARSLCE's conference to accept her award. Lina is also invited to present a paper on her research. The conference will take place from 23 - 25 in Baltimore MD. Information about the conference can be found at http://www.researchslce.org/.

Congratulations - Dr. Jeffrey Fuller of IDPEL Pittsburgh cohort '06 was recently appointed Superintendent of the Freedom Area School District. He will begin on July 1, 2012. Read more.

Congratulations - Dr. Eric Eshbach of Shippensburg Cohort '08 has submitted his letter of resignation as superintendent to the Upper Adams Board of School Directors effective July 31, 2012. In doing so, he has been offered the position of superintendent of the Northern York County School District in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania. He will begin with Northern York County on August 1, 2012.

Congratulations - Dr. Fred Withum of IDPEL Shippensburg Cohort '02 was appointed to the position of Assistant Superintendent of the South Middleton School District effective July 1, 2012.

Congratulations - Dr. Eric Eshbach (IDPEL cohort of '08), for having been elected to the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) Governing Board.

Congratulations - Dr. Sherri Smith (IDPEL cohort of '05) for having been elected to the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) Governing Board.

Congratulations - Tyra Good of IDPEL Cohort 2012 has been selected as a Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network (PSAYDN) Afterschool Champion. Tyra was nominated by Dr. Andrew Schneider-Munoz, University of Pittsburgh, for her exemplary commitment, dedication, and outstanding work in supporting meaningful high quality afterschool/Out-of-School Time (OST) for children and youth in her community.

IDPEL Accolades 2011

Congratulations - Dr. David Reeder of IDPEL Shippensburg Cohort '05 was selected as superintendent for the Camp Hill School District with a start date of June 2011. Dr. Reeder retired from the Washington County Public School system in Maryland when he was selected for the position at Camp Hill.

Congratulations - Dr. Brett Gilliland of IDPEL Shippensburg Cohort '05 was appointed superintendent of the Mount Union Area School District in July, 2010. Dr. Gilliland is a 1988 graduate of Mount Union Area High School.

Congratulations - Sharon Perry of IDPEL Cohort 2009 was promoted to interim Director of Career and Technical Education at State College Area School District as of January 2012.

Congratulations - Erin Grimm of IDPEL Cohort 2012 recently accepted the position of IDEA Training and Consultation Coordinator with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit.

Congratulations – Tyra Good of IDPEL Cohort ’12 was accepted to the American Evaluation Association's (AEA) Graduate Education Diversity Internship program for the 2011-2012 academic year. I was selected as 1 of 8 participants out of neatly 90 applicants nationally. The AEA Graduate Education Diversity Internship (GEDI) program works to engage and support students from groups traditionally under-represented in the field of evaluation. The goals of GEDI are to: Expand the pool of graduate students of color and from other underrepresented groups who have extended their research capacities to evaluation. Stimulate evaluation thinking concerning underrepresented communities and culturally responsive evaluation. Deepen the evaluation profession’s capacity to work in racially, ethnically and culturally diverse settings. Interns come from a variety of disciplines, including public health, education, political science, anthropology, psychology, sociology, social work, and the natural sciences. Their commonality is a strong background in research skills, an interest in extending their capacities to the field of evaluation, and a commitment to thinking deeply about culturally responsive evaluation practice.

Congratulations - Lina Dostilio of IDPEL Cohort ’12 was selected as 1 of 22 Emerging Engagement Scholars across the country. Lina will be attending the National Outreach Scholarship Conference from September 30th through October 4th where she will participate in a community-engaged scholarship institute with her Emerging Engagement Scholar cohort. The Emerging Engagement Scholars program provides advanced doctoral students and early career faculty with background literature, facilitated discussion, mentoring, and presentations designed to increase their knowledge and enhance their practice of community engaged scholarship.

Congratulations – Dr. Janell Logue-Belden of IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort 2003 was appointed District Superintendent of the Avella Area School District, September 2011.

Congratulations – Tyra Good of IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort 2012 was accepted to the highly selective Sisters of the Academy (SOTA) Research Bootcamp that will take place this July/August at Florida State University.

Congratulations – Cynthia Pulkowski of IDPEL Cohort 2012 has been named Acting Executive Director of ASSET Inc. (Achieving Student Success through Excellence in Teaching) effective June 1, 2011. Ms. Pulkowski succeeds Dr. Helen C. Sobehart who has resigned for family reasons and is relocating to St. Cloud, Florida, with her husband.

Publication – Dr. Geraldine Jenny of IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort ‘00 has a chapter in the following book: Action Research for Teacher Candidates: Using Classroom Data to Enhance Instruction. The book was edited by Robert Pelton and published by Rowman and Littlefield Publications, 2010. Gerri’s Chapter is entitled "Developing an Action Research Project"

Congratulations – Dr. Wes Shipley of IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort ’09 was just named Superintendent of the Shaler Area School District effective August 1, 2011.

Congratulations - In their legislative meeting of March 23rd, the school board of the Clairton City School District unanimously elected Dr. Wayde Killmeyer, IDPEL Cohort of '06, to a five-year contract as superintendent of schools. Wayde will leave the Avella Area School District after seven years there to take on this new position on July 1, 2011, upon the retirement of Clairton's present superintendent.

Congratulations – Dr. Amna Latif who served as a UCEA Graduate Fellow in the IDPEL office in the summer of 2010 just received word that she was the recipient for the AERA-Division G Social Context of Education's 2011 Distinguished Dissertation Award.

Congratulations – Dr. Charles Koren of IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort ’97 was recently named Assistant Superintendent – Human Resources for the Franklin Regional School District in Murrysville, PA.

Clark Seminar Award Winner - Congratulations to Tyra Good of IDPEL Cohort 2012 on her selection as a David L. Clark Research Fellow. The David L. Clark National Graduate Student Research Seminar in Educational Administration & Policy, sponsored by the University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA), Divisions A and L of the American Educational Research Association (AERA), and SAGE Publications, brings emerging educational administration and policy scholars and noted researchers together for two days of presentations, generative discussion, and professional growth. Many of the graduates of this seminar are now faculty members at major research institutions across the globe. Tyra will attend this year's seminar which will be held prior to AERA in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Clark Seminar Award Winner - Congratulations to Lina Dostilio of IDPEL Cohort 2012 on her selection as a David L. Clark Research Fellow. The David L. Clark National Graduate Student Research Seminar in Educational Administration & Policy, sponsored by the University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA), Divisions A and L of the American Educational Research Association (AERA), and SAGE Publications, brings emerging educational administration and policy scholars and noted researchers together for two days of presentations, generative discussion, and professional growth. Many of the graduates of this seminar are now faculty members at major research institutions across the globe. Lina will attend this year's seminar which will be held prior to AERA in New Orleans, Louisiana.

IDPEL Accolades 2010

Congratulations – Amanda Ford, Assistant Professor of Eurhythmics and the Director of Music Careers Services at Duquesne University and a member of the IDPEL Cohort 2012 was recently named as a 2010 Freedom Area Educational Foundation Hall of Fame Inductee for Outstanding Achievement in Arts & Education.

Congratulations – Dr. Rula Skezas of IDPEL Cohort 2006 was just named Assistant Superintendent of the McKeesport Area School District.

Congratulations - Dr. Michael Brinkos of IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort '06 was appointed Director of Human Resources for the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, to replace Mr. William Addy who retired in July.

Congratulations – Kimberly Hoeritz of IDPEL Cohort 2012 recently served as a program reviewer for the Office of University Registrar for the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. In a thank you letter to Provost Pearson, Kim was highly commended for her thoughtful, insightful and frank report which reflected a deep understanding of the responsibilities of a registrar’s office and accurate assessment of their operations and staff.

Congratulations - Dr. Mark Leidy of IDPEL Shippensburg Cohort ’05 will become the superintendent of the Mechanicsburg Area School District, August 1, 2010.

Congratulations - Dr. Keith Wolfe of IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort ’06 has been named the new superintendent of Punxsutawney Area School District as of July 1, 2010.

Congratulations - Dr. Kyle Foust of IDPEL Mercyhurst Cohort ’06 was just named the new Executive Director of Experiential Learning at Mercyhurst College. He will supervise the following college offices: the Career Development Center, Service Learning, and the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership Development.

Congratulations – Dr. Lonnie Carey of IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort ’06 is the new Coordinator of Special Education for the Fox Chapel Area School District.

Congratulations - Dr. Cosette Grant-Overton of IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort 2009 had her recent proposal entitled: Critical Perspectives on the Role of Spirituality, Religion and the African American Church on Educational Outcomes accepted. Dr. Grant Overton will be co-presenting at this Fall's 2010 UCEA Conference in New Orleans, LA on Community Uplift Theory: Integrating Spirituality for Educational Leadership in Urban Schools

Congratulations - Dr. Eric Eshbach of IDPEL Shippensburg Cohort 2008 had his proposal, The Symbiotic Relationship Between New Principals and the Climate of Schools in Which They Lead, accepted for inclusion in this year’s program for the Annual UCEA Convention in October in New Orleans. Dr. James Henderson will be 2nd presenter.

Congratulations - Dr. David Parker of IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort 2009 had his proposal, Using a Discourse Community Model to Increase Understanding of the Importance of School Climate, accepted for inclusion in this year’s program for the Annual UCEA Convention in October in New Orleans. Dr. James Henderson will be 2nd presenter.

Congratulations - Dr. John A. Giancola, Jr., member of the Pittsburgh Cohort of 2009, was recently elected to serve on the board of the Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children (PAEYC). The PAEYC works to support high quality early care and education for young children through professional development, collaboration with community resources and advocacy for the needs and rights of children, their families and the individuals who work with them. John was elected to a three year term, which commences on July 1.

Congratulations – Dr. Patrick Hefflin of IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort 2003 was recently named Superintendent of the Greenville Area School District.

Congratulations - Dr. Monica Lamar of IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort '09 was honored as one of the 2010 Fab 40 honorees. The New Pittsburgh Courier honored 40 men and women under the age of 40 at a reception in March 2010.

Congratulations - Dr. David Parker of IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort 2009 was named Associate Director, Community of Caring, University of Utah, School of Education. He will begin July 1, 2010.

Congratulations - Dr. Cosette Grant-Overton had her peer reviewed paper presentation entitled Organizational Perceptions and Paradigms: Through the Eyes of the Feminine accepted at the Organizational Development Network Conference 2010 in New Orleans, LA on October 17-21, 2010. The paper was also accepted for publication and will appear in the Spring, 2011 edition of the OD Practitioner, a peer-reviewed quarterly journal.

Promotion - Congratulations to Dr. Cindi Fuselier of IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort '09. Cindi was just named Supervisor of Academic Programs in the West Jefferson Hills School District.

Publication – Dr. Shellie Hipsky an Assistant Professor at Robert Morris University and an IDPEL Shippensburg Cohort of 2005 graduate has a book titled “Differentiated Literacy and Language Arts Strategies for the Elementary Classroom” being released this month by Pearson Education. Also, an article co-written by author Dr. Deborah Scigliano from IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort of 2000 on the same topic is featured in the Winter issue of Kappa Delta Pi Record titled “The Three Ring Circus of Differentiated Instruction”.

IDPEL Accolades 2009

Congratulations - Dr. Wesley Shipley of Pittsburgh Cohort '09 was recently named as the Assistant Superintendent of the Shaler Area School District. He will begin in mid-December.

Congratulations - Dr. David Parker of IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort 2009 has been invited by Gerald Zahorchak, D.Ed., Pennsylvania Secretary of Education to join him and key leaders and educators to begin the develop and draft school climate standards for Pennsylvania for the State Board of Education's consideration.

Congratulations – Sam Torres of IDPEL Shippensburg Cohort ’08 was recently recognized in an article in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. Sam is the first male principal at the all-girl Pomona Catholic High School, but his gender is not what makes him stand out to students or parents. You can view the full story here.

Henderson Prize - Each active cohort annually selects a recipient of the Henderson Prize. The Henderson Prize for Educational Leaders Fund was established in 1995 to recognize and to support the collaborative and community-building efforts of IDPEL participants. According to scholarship guidelines, the cash prizes will be awarded annually to program participants who demonstrate essential attributes of educational leadership including qualities of collaboration and commitment to principles of community, service, and scholarship. Though it is recognized that all IDPEL Cohort members exhibit these qualities, the intent of this Prize is to provide an opportunity for Cohort members to recognize exemplary efforts on behalf of their peers. This year’s winner from the Pittsburgh Cohort of 2012 was Amanda Ford.

Congratulations - IDPEL alumna Dr. Cosette Grant-Overton recently had her manuscript entitled: “Pilot Study: Exploring African-American Female Doctoral Students’ Academic Success in Educational Leadership,” accepted for submission in the Educational Administration Quarterly (EAQ). Her article will appear in the Spring, 2010 issue. This is Cosette's second peer reviewed publication.

Congratulations - Tyra Good of IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort 2012 has been named as one of Pittsburgh’s 40 Under 40, an award given to 40 talented individuals under the age of 40 who are making a positive impact on the regions development. She will celebrate this award as a guest of honor on November 6th at the 40 Under 40 Celebration held at the August Wilson Center. Tyra has also been named as the Co-Chair of the 21st Century Advisory Board, a group that supports, advances and advocates for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers, a program of the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Finally, Tyra has been selected as a Barbara Jackson Scholar, a selective network for students of color who anticipate entering the professoriate. This program is offered by the University Council for Educational Administration.

UCEA Jackson Scholar - Congratulations to Tyra Good of IDPEL Cohort 2012 on her recent selection as a UCEA Barbara Jackson Scholar for a two year period from November, 2009 until November, 2011. Tyra will be a representative of our School of Education in the Jackson Scholars program and will attend the UCEA Convention in November.

UCEA Jackson Scholar - Congratulations to Christine French of IDPEL Cohort 2012 on her recent selection as a UCEA Barbara Jackson Scholar for a two year period from November, 2009 until November, 2011. Chrissy will be a representative of our School of Education in the Jackson Scholars program and will attend the UCEA Convention in November.

Congratulations - Dr. Cosette Grant-Overton's UCEA proposal entitled: Needed: More African American Female Academicians – How Mentoring Prepares More African American Women for the Professoriate in Educational Leadership at Predominantly White Institutions was recently accepted. A growing body of literature links mentoring to the academic achievement of graduate students (Davidson & Foster, 2001; Jacobi, 1991), but limited empirical studies in educational environments connecting the mentoring experiences of African-American female doctoral students in predominantly White institutions (PWIs) and graduation success has left a void in our understanding of the significance of mentoring on the doctoral completion success of African-American female doctoral students in PWIs. This study addresses this void by presenting experience narratives of five former African-American female doctoral students in Educational Leadership Programs who matriculated in separate PWIs. Specific mentoring strategies acclaimed by these women to be most salient in their graduation success in educational leadership at their PWI are provided. Grant & Simmons’ (2008) study found that mentoring was most essential to the survival and achievement of African American female doctoral students at PWIs. Therefore, findings will be situated within the framework of black feminism and will look beyond the three traditional mentoring frameworks (Jacobi, 1991).
This paper is part of a special session at UCEA '09: From Great Man to First Lady: Emerging African American Woman Scholars on Conceptualizations of Leaders and Leadership and is in addition to her other UCEA proposal acceptance entitled: Findings: A Case Study on the Barbara L. Jackson Scholars Mentoring Program for inclusion at the UCEA Convention 2009 in Anaheim, CA, November 19-22, 2009.

Congratulations - Dr. Michael Brinkos of IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort '06 was recently named Superintendent of the McKeesport Area School District.

Congratulations - Dr. Cosette Grant-Overton's proposal entitled: Findings: A Case Study on the Barbara L. Jackson Scholars Mentoring Program has been accepted for inclusion at the UCEA Convention 2009 in Anaheim, CA, November 19-22, 2009.

Congratulations - Dr. Rahmon Hart of Pittsburgh Cohort '09 will be the panel moderator for the 1st annual African American Leadership Summit, sponsored by the African American Leadership Association. The summit includes discussing pertinent issues and a recognition ceremony. Panelist include F. David Coleman, Dr. Audrey Murrell, Jada Grandy and Candi Castleberry Singleton. Register at Poise Foundation (link).

Congratulations - Dr. Bonnie Siple of IDPEL Cohort 2003 and Dr. Cosette Grant-Overton of IDPEL Cohort 2009 both recently presented a featured presentation, Transforming and doing qualitative research: Interdisciplinary contributions to educational theory, practice and praxis, chaired by Rodney Hopson. The presentation took place at the 5th International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry at the University of Illinois, Champaign, IL, May 22, 2009. Bonnie's paper was entitled - Overcoming the barriers: A qualitative study giving voice to Black women in athletic training education and Cosette's paper was Narratives on the potential role of mentoring in the academic development of African female doctoral students in educational administration programs at predominantly White insitutions.

Publication - Dr. Pamela Lenz of IDPEL Mercyhurst Cohort 2006 recently wrote a chapter in the book, Studies in School Improvement, edited by Wayne Hoy (The Ohio State University) and Michael DiPaola (College of William and Mary). The chapter is titled, Teacher-School Board Member Trust as a Bridge to School Effectiveness: Relationships and Organizational Structure. Pam also coauthored an overview in the book, Women Leading Education Across the Continents: Sharing the Spirit, Fanning the Flame, edited by Helen Sobehart (Cardinal Stritch University).

Congratulation - Dr. Tim McNamee of IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort 97 was honored at a reception on Wednesday, May 6, 2009. Dr. McNamee was selected to receive the 12th Annual Educational Leadership Award from UCEA. Dr. Michelle Young, UCEA Executive Director, was in attendance at the reception which kicked off the Second Annual Duquesne Educational Leadership Symposium and the announcement of the formation of the UCEA Center for Social Justice which will be housed in the School of Education. The Executive Committee of the University Council for Educational Administration presents this award in recognition of practicing school administrators who have made significant contributions to the improvement of administrator preparation.

Congratulations - Dr. Wendy Royer of IDPEL Shippensburg Cohort '08 was recently named Superintendent of Springfield Township School District in Oreland, PA. She will begin on August 1, 2009.

Congratulations - Dr. Michael Dunsmore of IDPEL Shippensburg '08 was recently appointed Superintendent of Schools for Tyrrell County School District in Columbia, North Carolina. He will begin on July 1, 2009.

Congratulations - Dr. Linda Hippert, of IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort '97 was recently appointed as the new executive director of the Allegheny Intermediate Unit.

Congratulations - Congratulations to David Parker of IDPEL Cohort 2009. David's presentations "Using Five Elements of School Climate to Create a Caring School Community" and "Write a Story with Character" have been selected as workshops for the 25th Annual K-12 Character Education Conference in Sarasota, Florida from July 8-10, 2009.

Clark Seminar Award Winner - Cosette M. Grant of the IDPEL Cohort of 2009 was one of the forty graduate students nationwide who were nominated and chosen to attend the David L. Clark National Graduate Student Research Seminar in Educational Administration and Policy. The Clark Seminar will be held April 13-17, 2009 in San Diego in conjunction with the AERA Annual Conference.

Congratulations - Dr. Joseph Merhaut of IDPEL Pittsburgh 2000 and an assistant professor of special education at Slippery Rock University, has been named recipient of the University’s 2009 President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. The award will be presented as part of Slippery Rock University’s annual Academic Honors Convocation at 2 p.m. April 5 in Morrow Field House. Convocation will honor more than 2,600 scholars and leaders for their achievements. Merhaut was cited for his involvement in creating SRU’s Assistive Technologies Laboratory in which SRU students, and others, learn how to make use of technology, including computers and other high-tech equipment to help those with learning difficulties. Located in the Jack C. Dinger Special Education Building, the laboratory is funded by a $100,000, four-year grant from the Pittsburgh-based Edith L. Trees Charitable Trust. The trust specializes in funding programs that benefit those with mental retardation.

Congratulations - Dr. Rahmon Hart of IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort 2009. Rahmon was recently selected as one of the Fabulous 40 African Americans in Pittsburgh under 40 by the Pittsburgh Courier.

Promotion - Congratulations to Dr. April Hershey of Shippensburg Cohort 2005. April was recently named Superintendent at Warwick School District in Lititz, PA. She will begin July 1, 2009.

Congratulations - Dr. Fred Witham of IDPEL Shippensburg Cohort 2002, recently had his school, Yellow Breeches Middle School selected as a Don Eichorn School-to-Watch by the Pennsylvania Middle School Association and the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform. Schools to Watch is a program to identify exemplary middle schools across the country that strive for academic excellence, social equity, are responsive to the needs of young adolescents, and have a culture that sustains growth. Educators in these schools work together to improve curriculum and instruction and share a commitment to assessment and accountability in order to bring about continuous improvement for the benefit of their students. Yellow Breeches Midlde School will be recognized in Harrisburg in March and Washington, DC in June. Dr. Withum stated, “my cohort and especially Dr. Jim Ryland know that the design and construction of Yellow Breeches Middle School and the establishment and growth of a middle school program out of a junior/senior high school is the motivation for my work and for my dissertation. My Shippensburg and Duquesne Universities education, my IDPEL experience and most of all my association with wonderful people as a result have contributed to the success of students and faculty at Yellow Breeches Middle School. I remain greatly appreciative of the opportunity to have been a member of the first Shippensburg University Cohort.”

Congratulations – Linda Clautti of IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort 2009 was recently selected as one of 25 of the region’s most outstanding women for their business accomplishments. The 2009 Women in Business Awards will be held on March 5, 2009, at the Downtown Hilton. The Women in Business Awards are presented based on an individual’s accomplishments and careers at both nonprofit and for-profit organizations. While the winner’s non-work activities (community or philanthropy) are considered, the primary thrust of this program is how the winner has been a driving force in their workplace.

IDPEL Accolades 2008

Article – Congratulations to Lina Dostilio of IDPEL Cohort 2012 on her article “Studying student benefits of assigning a Service-Learning project compared to a traditional final project in a Business Statistics Class”, which was just published in the Journal of Statistical Education. Lina co-authored this article with Amy Phelps, a stats professor in Duquesne’s School of Business. Amy and Lina presented this experience at the 2007 International Association for Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement. Please find the article here.

Promotion - Congratulations to Dr. Deborah Scigliano of IDPEL Cohort 2000. She is currently serving as a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Foundations and Leadership in the School of Education at Duquesne University. Her email is sciglianod@duq.edu.

Congratulations - Lina Dostilio of Pittsburgh Cohort 2012 has been selected to be one of Pittsburgh's 40 under 40. Each year Pittsburgh Magazine and PUMP recognize 40 talented individuals under the age of 40 who are making a positive impact on the region's development. Developed in 1999, "40 under 40" highlights Pittsburgh as a region where young people can make a difference. Now in its sixth year, the awards are more popular than ever, and the list of nominees has continued to grow. This year's honorees were chosen from a nomination pool of more than 175 candidates by an independent panel of judges, comprised of former winners, business professionals and civic leaders. Winners were chosen based on their vision, passion, commitment, visibility, diversity of interests and involvement in their communities. The 40 winners will be guests of honor at a celebration on November 7, 2008 at the Pittsburgh Children's Museum and will be featured in the November issue of Pittsburgh Magazine.

Promotion - Congratulations to Hollis Batista of IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort of 2009. Hollis was recently hired as principal of grades 5-8 at Eagle Heights Academy.

Promotion - Congratulations to Deno De Ciantis of IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort of 2009 on his recent appointment as director of the Penn State Outreach Metro Center, a joint Research and Outreach Center in Metropolitan Pittsburgh. As director of the Metor Center, Deno will help to identify important challenges in the Pittsburgh area that might be addressed through Penn State research, teaching and service.

Promotion - Congratulations to Dr. Barry S. McCrary of IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort of 2003 on his recent acceptance of a tenure track Assistant Professor position at Western Illinois University to teach in the Departament of Law Enforcement Justice Administration, specializing in Juvenile Justice Research and Corrections studies.

2008 Century Club Award Winner - Congratulations to Dr. Linda Hippert of IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort of 1997 on her recent selection as a 2008 Century Club Award Winner. This award is the highest honor that can be bestowed on a Duquesne University alumnus/a. In order to receive the award, a strong record of professional success, community service, and service to Duquesne must be demonstrated. Dr. Hippert will be inducted this fall with four other Duquesne alumni/ae.

Promotion - Dr. Pamela Lenz of IDPEL Mercyhurst Cohort '06 was recently appointed to the newly created position of Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment for the Iroquois School District.

Promotion - Congratulations to Dr. Brett Gilliland of Shippensburg Cohort 2005 on his new position. Brett will now be the Assistant Superintendent of the Everett Area School District.

Paper - Congratulations to Cosette Grant of Cohort ’09. Cosette was just informed that her proposal "Pilot Study: Exploring African American Female Doctoral Students’ Academic Success in Educational Leadership", was one of six proposals accepted for submission in the Barbara Jackson Special Issue for the Educational Administration Quarterly. Cosette is the sole author of this manuscript.

Promotion - Congratulation to Dr. Pamela Reynolds of IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort 2000 on her recent promotion to full professor at Gannon University.

Clark Seminar Award Winner - Bettie Bertram of the IDPEL Shippensburg Cohort of 2008 was one of the forty students nationwide who were nominated and chosen to attend the David L. Clark National Graduate Student Research Seminar in Educational Administration and Policy. The Clark Seminar will be held March 28-29, 2008 in New York City in conjunction with the AERA Annual Conference.

IDPEL Accolades 2007

Henderson Prize - Each active cohort annually selects a recipient of the Henderson Prize. The Henderson Prize for Educational Leaders Fund was established in 1995 to recognize and to support the collaborative and community-building efforts of IDPEL participants. According to scholarship guidelines, the cash prizes will be awarded annually to program participants who demonstrate essential attributes of educational leadership including qualities of collaboration and commitment to principles of community, service, and scholarship. Though it is recognized that all IDPEL Cohort members exhibit these qualities, the intent of this Prize is to provide an opportunity for Cohort members to recognize exemplary efforts on behalf of their peers. This year’s selection from the Pittsburgh Cohort of 2009 was Rahmon Hart and from the Shippensburg Cohort of 2008, Conrad Swartzentruber.

Promotion - Dr. Joseph Macharola of IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort '97 was promoted earlier this year to Superintendent of Schools at Cambria Heights School District in Patton, PA.

Appointment - Cindi Fuselier of IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort '09 was recently appointed to the position of Director of Curriculum in the New Brighton School District.

Appointment - Dr. Samuel Signorino of IDPEL Mercyhust Cohort '06 was recently appointed to the position of Superintendent of Schools for the Iroquois School District in Erie, PA .

Appointment - Dr. Emma Lee McCloskey of IDPEL Mercyhurst Cohort '06 was recently appointed to the position of Executive Director of The Catholic Foundation, a new endeavor through the Erie Diocese.

UCEA’s Jackson Scholars - Hollis Batista, Cosette Grant-Overton , Rahmon Hart, Monica Lamar and David Parker of Pittsburgh Cohort 2009 were selected as UCEA Barbara L. Jackson Scholars and they attended the UCEA Conference in Washington, DC, on November 15, 16, 17 and 18, 2007.

Paper – Congratulations to Cosette Grant-Overton of Pittsburgh Cohort ’09 on the acceptance of her recent AERA Proposal, “Motivation and Mentoring in Higher Education: Exploring Their Relationship to African American Doctoral Students’ Success”.

Paper – Congratulations to Cosette Grant-Overton of Pittsburgh Cohort ’09 on the recent acceptance of her manuscript submission entitled: “Narratives on Experiences of African American Women in the Academy: Conceptualizing Effective Mentoring Relationships of Doctoral Student and Faculty”. This manuscript was accepted for submission into the Fall 2008 Special Edition publication of Qualitative Studies Journal pending revisions. Cosette will be the primary author and her Jackson Scholar mentor, Dr. Simmons, will be the secondary author.

Appointment – Congratulations to Dr. David Chesebrough, IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort ’97 on being voted onto the board of the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC), the international organization representing science centers around the world. Through ASTC’s request, Dr. Chesebrough has been leading the conference and online forum discussion looking to develop new models for science centers to increase relevancy in a changing world and financial sustainability. That work, and his representation as President & CEO of COSI, were the factors cited for Dr. Chesebrough being voted on to the board.

Publication - Dr. April Hershey of IDPEL Shippensburg Cohort '05 recently had her book entitled "Factors Affecting the Career Path and Aspiration Level of a School Leader - Men versus Women" published by a German company VDM Verlag Dr. Meuller. The book is currently available in paperback on Amazon.com.

Promotion - Sharon A. Perry of IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort '09 was recently promoted to the position of Assistant Principal at State College Area High School - South Building.

UCEA Convention Proposal - Cosette Grant-Overton of Pittsburgh Cohort 2009 was recently informed that her proposal, Narratives on African American Women in the Academy: ExploringEffective Mentoring Determinants of Doctoral Students' Academic Success in Education Leadership, was accepted for inclusion in this year's program for the Annual UCEA Convention to be held in November, 2007.

Article - Dr. Shellie Jacobs Hipsky of Shippensburg Cohort 2005 recently wrote an article for Qualitative Report entitled Pre-Conceptual Map Methodology: Development and Application. This article will be used by Dr. Moore of Harvard University for a course on Ethnographic Research Methodologies this semester. The article outlines a qualitative methodology that Shellie created while writing her dissertation. The Harvard students will also be studying a section of Shellie's Duquesne Univeristy dissertation during their Module on Reflexivity. Dr. Moore stated "Gaining awareness of one's assumptions and biases is so critical, and I think the methodology you outline for doing this and recording them is very useful...It is hands-on and I like it."

Promotion - Congratulations to Tom Fleming of IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort '06 on his recent appointment as Superintendent of Schools at the Richland School District in Cambria County. Tom was appointed at the School Board of Directors Meeting on Wednesday, June 27, 2007 and will begin his new position September 1, 2007.

Appointment - Dr. Timothy McNamee, Superintendent of the Mohawk Area School District, has been chosen President-elect of PASA. McNamee currently serves on the Board of Governors and the Professional Development Committee, and is a frrequent presenter at PASA workshops and programs.

Public Education Advocacy Day - Dr. Edward Maritz of Pittsburgh Cohort '03 recently participated in a Public Education Advocacy Day in Harrisburg. The June 5th event included visits with lawmakers and commenced with a 1:00 press conference in the Capital Rotunda where Ed provided testimony along with Ron Cowell the President of EPLC. A local story regarding the event ran in the Post-Gazette (link).

Promotions - Dr. Donna Newcomer of Shippensburg Cohort '05 has been promoted to Assistant Director of Human Resources for Washington County Public Schools, Hagerstown, MD.

Promotions - Dr. Theresa Williamson of Shippensburg Cohort '02 has been promoted to Principal of Paramount Elementary School in the Washington County Public School District, Hagerstown, MD.

Promotions - Dr. David Reeder of Shippensburg Cohort '05 has been promoted to Director of Middle Schools for Washington County Public Schools, Hagerstown, MD.

Promotions - Tamara Sanders of Pittsburgh Cohort '09 has been promoted to Principal of Cornell Intermediate School in the McKeesport Area School District.

Promotions - Jane Coughenour of Pittsburgh Cohort '09 has been promoted to Principal of McKeesport Area School District's Cyber School Program and will also serve in the McKeesport Technology Department.

Women in Educational Leadership Conference - Dr. M. Bonacile Johnson of IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort '00, Dr. Kathy Houghton of IDPEL Shippensburg Cohort '02 and Bettie Bertram of IDPEL Shippensburg Cohort '08 will all particpate in the 21st Annual Women in Educational Leaership Conference in Lincoln Nebraska on October 7-8, 2007.

Article – Michele M. Orner of IDPEL Shippensburg Cohort ’08 was recently featured in Techniques magazine for her article entitled Training Meets Talent. Ms. Orner, Principal of the Franklin County Career and Technology Center (FCCTC) in Chambersburg, PA, wrote the article of how her students with the help of FCCTC staff, transformed a simple tractor into a model of the 1880s “Pioneer” train. The train was used in the finale of the annual Christmas parade to bring Santa and his helpers to town. Not only did students build the train but 20 of them dressed as elves and escorted Santa in the train during the holiday parade. Students in the graphics communications program, created coloring books which were handed out to the children when they had their picture taken with Santa. Ms. Orner stated that the proudest moment of her tenure as principal, thus far, came in January when the chamber of commerce and downtown organizations hosted a luncheon and a slide show to honor students and staff who contributed to the project.

Award - Dissertation Competition Award Dr. Pamela Lenz of IDPEL Mercyhurst Cohort 06 was selected among three finalists as the winner of the 2005-2006 Leadership for School Improvement Dissertation Award Competition. The committee stated that her dissertation was selected based on the strength of her dissertation research and they applauded her efforts on a topic that without doubt contributes to a specific body of knowledge in the field of educational leadership and school improvement. Pam has been invited to attend their LSI Business Meeting on Wednesday, April 11, during the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association in Chicago. At that time, she will be presented with an award of $250.00.

Awards - Distinguished Woman in Education - Dr. Linda Hippert, IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort '97 was presented along with her Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Mary Ravita, as joint honorees, The Distinguished Woman in Education Award at The 2007 Jean Winsand International Institute for Women in School Leadership conference sponsored by the Tri-State Area School Study Council, Administrative and Policy Studies, School of Education, University of Pittsburgh on Thursday, April 19, 2007.

Awards - Student Government Association - Rahmon Hart of IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort '09 was selected as an Honorary Senator for the Student Government Association of Duquesne University. This award is presented by the governing student body and is given to individuals who exemplify the Mission of the University, go above and beyond their job responsibilities, and make a significant difference to both the Student Government and the student body at large. This was quite an honor for Rahmon as he was given this award within six months of being in his new position as Director of Multicultural Affairs with Duquesne University.

Who's Who Among America's Teachers - Dr. Edward Maritz was honored to be recognized for contributions made to the Education of our Nations youth by being student nominated for excellence as a distinguished educator by inclusion in the Ninth Edition of Who's Who Among America's Teachers for the 2004-2005 school year. Dr. Maritz is a curriculum department co-chair and secondary business education teacher with the Pine-Richland School District in Wexford, PA. Ed is also a longstanding member of the Sto-Rox School Board, being first elected in 1993 and most recently re-elected to a fourth term in 2005.

Appointments – Dr. Fred S. Withum III, of IDPEL Shippensburg Cohort '02, was selected by the Council of Educational Facility Planners International, as a jurist, for their annual Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture. Dr. Withum will serve on an international committee of architects, engineers, planners and educators who jury submissions for excellence in the design, planning, and construction of newly completed and renovated educational facilities. Submissions for this international juried competition represent the best of school architecture from around the world.

Publications – An article by Dr. Janet R. Wojtalik of IDPEL Mercyhurst '06, entitled "There's No Place Like Home? Effects of Childhood Themes on Women's Aspirations Toward Leadership Roles", was published in the Journal of Women in Educational Leadership, January, 2007, Volume 5, Number 1. Authors - Janet R. Wojtalik, Mary Breckenridge, Melissa K. Gibson Hancox and Helen C. Sobehart.

PA Superintendent of the Year - Dr. Pat Crawford, IDPEL Pittsburgh Cohort 1997 was selected by the PASA Board of Governors as the 2007 PA Superintendent of the Year. Dr. Crawford will be recognized at the AASA Conference in March.

AERA’s LSI-SIG Dissertation Award – Dr. Pam Lenz of Mercyhurst Cohort 2006 just received word that she is one of three finalists for AERA’s Leadership for School Improvement SIG competition

Clark Seminar Award Winner - Eric Eshbach of the IDPEL Shippensburg Cohort of 2008 was one of the forty students nationwide who were nominated and chosen to attend the David L. Clark National Graduate Student Research Seminar in Educational Administration and Policy. The David L. Clark National Graduate Student Research Seminar in Educational Administration and Policy, sponsored by the University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA), Divisions A and L of the American Educational Research Association (AERA), and Corwin Press, brings emerging educational administration and policy scholars and noted researchers together for two days of presentations, generative discussion, and professional growth. Many of the graduates of this seminar are now faculty members at major research institutions in the US and Canada. This year's seminar will be held prior to the 2007 AERA Annual Meeting.

PASA Research Fellows – Sherri Smith of Shippensburg Cohort 2005 was named a PASA Research fellow in January 2007.

PASA Article - Congratulations to Dr. Linda Hippert (IDPEL '97), Superintendent of South Fayette School District, for her lead article, "Measuring Student Growth," in the January 2007 PASA Flyer.

IDPEL Accolades 2006

UCEA’s Jackson Scholars - Cosette Grant and Monica Lamar of Pittsburgh Cohort 2009 were selected as UCEA Barbara L. Jackson Scholars and they attended the UCEA Conference in San Antonio on November 9-12, 2006.

AASA Scholarship - Congratulations to Bettie Bertram of IDPEL Shippensburg Cohort '08! Bettie was recently selected to receive one of AASA's Educational Administration Scholarships. AASA’s Educational Administration Scholarships were created in 1949 to provide incentive, honor, and financial assistance to outstanding graduate students in school administration who intend to make the school superintendency a career. Each college/university across the country is asked to nominate one candidate for the scholarship. Six scholarships, named for the former Executive Directors of AASA, are available in the amount of $2,000 each for outstanding graduate students. Recipients are honored at the President's Awards Ceremony during AASA's Annual National Conference on Education.

Promotions – Dr. Michael Brinkos of Pittsburgh Cohort 2006 was named Assistant Superintendent of McKeesport Area School District in October, 2006.

Promotions - Emma Lee McCloskey of Mercyhurst Cohort 06. Emma Lee recently accepted the position of Director of Development and Marketing for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Erie, October, 2006.

Award- Winning Principals Program – David Listorti of Pittsburgh Cohort ’09 was nominated to participate in the Award-Winning Principals Program held in Brazil, August 5-19, 2006. The program will enhance cooperation among educators in Brazil and the United States and will include an orientation in Sao Paulo, Brazil and travel to two Brazilian states to visit public schools, including award-winning schools, for one week of observation and work-shadowing, and then travel back to Sao Paulo to participate in a national video conference on Leadership and School Management.

Promotions – Dr. Cynthia Kainaroi of Pittsburgh Cohort 2003 was appointed to the position of Principal of Marshall Middle School in the North Allegheny School District in August, 2006.

Appointments – Dr. Marla Bonacile Johnson of Pittsburgh Cohort 2000 was accepted into Leadership Pittsburgh, Inc. XXIII in September, 2006.

Promotions – Rahmon Hart of Pittsburgh Cohort 2009 accepted the position of Director of Multicultural Affairs at Duquesne University in July, 2006.

Promotions – John Giancola of Pittsburgh Cohort 2009 was appointed Principal of Rowan Elementary School in the Seneca Valley School District in June, 2006.

Promotions – Dr. Linda Platt Meyer of Pittsburgh Cohort 2000 accepted a new position as an Associate Professor at California University of Pennsylvania in June 2006. Dr. Meyers will be working with Masters level students from all over the world teaching a variety of on-line courses in Athletic Training, Fitness, Wellness and Leadership.

Publications - Dr. Michelle Jacobs of Shippensburg Cohort 2005 recently published two articles in the following publications, the International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Education and the Qualitative Report.

Teacher of the Year Award – Dr. Kathy Gosnell of Pittsburgh Cohort 2000 was chosen for the Omicron Delta Kappa (Leadership Honor Society) Teacher of the Year Award.

Appointment – Rahmon Hart of Pittsburgh Cohort 2009 was appointed to serve on the board at the Sarah Heinz House in May 2006.

World Conference – David Parker of Pittsburgh Cohort 2009 will present at the World Conference on Arts Education, Building Creative Capacities for the 21st Century in Lisbon, Portugal, March 6-9, 20006. David was on a panel that reported on measuring the social, cultural and economic impact of arts education. The panel was comprised of five highly-regarded experts from Australia, Franc, Finland, the West Indies and the USA who are involved in research and facilitation of issues such as social cohesion, values and identities, violence/conflict resolution, heritage, intercultural dialogue, health, HIV/Aids, dropout, failure, assessment/evaluation, problem-solving competencies as well as economic aspects related to arts and culture.

Promotion – Dr. David E. Chesebrough, Pittsburgh Cohort 1997 was named President and CEO of COSI Columbus, one of the country’s largest science centers. He was CEO previously at the Buffalo Museum of Science and Roberson Museum & Science Center in Binghamton, after serving on the management team that designed and opened the Carnegie Science Center.

AASA Scholarship - Pam Lenz, an IDPEL student in the Mercyhurst Cohort and Principal of the Springfield Elementary School in the Northwestern School District, was named as one of six recipients nationwide of the American Association of School Administrators 2006 Educational Administration Scholarships. Those prestigious scholarships are awarded in the amount of $2,000 each for outstanding graduate students who intend to pursue the public school superintendency as a career. Pam and her fellow recipients were honored at the President's Awards Ceremony during AASA's Annual National Conference on Education in San Diego on February 23, 2006. Dr. Linda Hippert, 1997 graduate of IDPEL and current Superintendent of the South Fayette School District, is a former recipient of an AASA Educational Administration Scholarship.

Clark Seminar Award Winners - In additional happy news, Pam Lenz and Janet Wojtalik, another IDPEL student in the Mercyhurst Cohort and Supervisor of Special Education in the Fairview School District, were two of the forty students nationwide who were nominated and chosen to attend the David L. Clark National Graduate Student Research Seminar in Educational Administration and Policy. The David L. Clark National Graduate Student Research Seminar in Educational Administration and Policy, sponsored by the University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA), Divisions A and L of the American Educational Research Association (AERA), and Corwin Press, brings emerging educational administration and policy scholars and noted researchers together for two days of presentations, generative discussion, and professional growth. Many of the graduates of this seminar are now faculty members at major research institutions in the US and Canada. The 2006 seminar was held in April prior to the AERA Annual Meeting in San Francisco.

Promotion – Dr. April Hershey of Shippensburg Cohort 2005 was appointed Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction for the Cocalico School District in February, 2006. Her appointment will take effect in July, 2006.

Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers – Dr. Phyllis P. Genareo, Pittsburgh Cohort 2000 was named to the 2005-2006 Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. Dr. Genareo is a professor and associate chair of the Department of Education at Grove City College.

Promotion – Jeff Fuller of Pittsburgh Cohort 2006 was appointed to the position of Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Instruction at the Seneca Valley School District in January, 2006.

Promotion – John Giancola of Pittsburgh Cohort 2009 was appointed to the position of Acting Principal of Rowan Elementary School, Seneca Valley School District in January, 2006.

IDPEL Accolades 2005

PCEE Scholarship – Dr. Andrea Malmont of Shippensburg Cohort 2005 was awarded a scholarship from the Pennsylvania Center for Environmental Education (PCEE) environmental education faculty/administrator professional development to attend the 2005 North American Association for Environmental Education conference in New Mexico.

Promotion – Wayde Killmeyer of Pittsburgh Cohort 2006 was named Superintendent of Avella Area School District in October, 2005.

Promotion – Jim Theeuwes of Mercyhurst Cohort 2006 accepted a new position as Director of Student Financial Services at Lock Haven University in September, 2005.

Promotion – Michael Latusek of Pittsburgh Cohort 2003 was named Superintendent of Elizabeth Forward School District in September, 2005.

Award – Sylvester Pace of Pittsburgh Cohort 2006 was recognized by the Education Policy and Leadership Center (EPLC) with the EPLC Leadership Program Alumni Award in September, 2005.

Henderson Prize - Each of the three cohorts selected a recipient of this year’s Henderson Prize. The Henderson Prize for Educational Leaders Fund was established in 1995 to recognize and to support the collaborative and community-building efforts of IDPEL participants. According to scholarship guidelines, the cash prizes will be awarded annually to program participants who demonstrate essential attributes of educational leadership including qualities of collaboration and commitment to principles of community, service, and scholarship. Though it is recognized that all IDPEL Cohort members exhibit these qualities, the intent of this Prize is to provide an opportunity for Cohort members to recognize exemplary efforts on behalf of their peers. This year’s winners were Ruth Auld from Mercyhurst, Jeffrey Fuller from Pittsburgh, and J. Patrick Byrne from Shippensburg.

Promotion – Greg Ochoa of Shippensburg Cohort 2002 was promoted to a tenure track position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the Department of Academic Programs and Services as the Director of the Academic Success Program at Shippensburg University in April, 2005. This position will take effect in August, 2005.

Article and Award – Dr. Pamela Reynolds of Pittsburgh Cohort 2000 had an article entitled How Service Learning Experiences Benefit Physical Therapist Students’ Professional Development: A Grounded Theory Study published in the Spring 2005 edition of the Journal of Physical Therapy Education. Dr. Reynolds was also asked to be a special issue editor for the Journal of Physical Therapy Education on the topic of service learning and community engaged scholarship. She will be responsible to identify both content and author for the Journal which will be available in February of 2007. Dr. Reynolds was also selected as one of 15 finalists for the Campus Compact Thomas Elrich Faculty Award for Service-Learning. Campus Compact recognizes one faculty member annually and also honors the top 10-15 finalists for this award. It is given each year in recognition of exemplary leadership in advancing civic learning and the development of students’ citizenship skills, including public scholarship, building campus commitment to service-learning and civic engagement, and fostering reciprocal community partnerships. Dr. Reynolds is the first physical therapist to ever be recognized as a finalist. She will be acknowledged in next year’s Ehrlich Award brochure and on the Campus Compact website. Campus Compact is a national coalition of more than 950 college and university presidents – representing some 5 million students.

Teaching Excellence Award – Congratulations to Dr. Phil Belfiore, faculty advisor for IDPEL Mercyhurst on being selected for Mercyhurst’s Faculty Teaching Excellence Award.

PASA Research Fellows – Pam Lenz of Mercyhurst Cohort 2006 was named a PASA Research fellow in February, 2005.

PASA Research Fellows – Elizabeth McMahon of Pittsburgh Cohort 2006 was named a PASA Research Fellow in January, 2005.

IDPEL Accolades 2004

PASA Research Fellows – April Hershey of Shippensburg Cohort 2005 was named a PASA Research Fellow in October, 2004.

Award - Mary Helt of Mercyhurst Cohort '06 was awarded $1,000.00 when she applied to the New York State Child Care Educational Incentive Program in September, 2004.

Award - Susie McLaughlin of Pittsburgh Cohort 03 proposed a presentation, based upon her dissertation proposal, to the 2004 American Psychological Association National Conference. Not only was the paper accepted for presentation at the conference, but Susie was selected as 1 of 3 student scholarship award winners for division 16. Winners were selected through blind review, using a research quality rubric. Susie will be recognized for this achievement at an award ceremony (and will receive a $500 cash prize) at the July conference in Honolulu, Hawaii. Dr. Hughes, Susie's dissertation chair, will also be attending.

IDPEL Accolades 2002

PASA Research Fellows – Christy Lynn of Pittsburgh Cohort 2003 was named a PASA Research Fellow in November, 2002.