Vol. 2023 | April Issue

Leadership EdD

Emerge as a Scholar Practitioner

Are you a solution seeker? Ready to use your creativity in solving today's educational issues? Cohorts for the Leadership, EdD are now forming. Check out the video (right) to hear even more about this exciting program. Get more info and apply here!

COEHS Leadership Team attends Hazelwood School District University Collaborative Brunch

The COEHS leadership team joined over 20 delegates from 12 higher education institutions located in St. Louis for the University Collaborative Brunch organized by Hazelwood School District. The objective of this gathering was to brainstorm ideas on how the district and universities could collaborate more effectively in attracting aspiring educators and increasing students' interest in pursuing education-based careers.

Pictured from left to right: Dr. Ronda Cypret-Mahach, Dr. Anthony Scheffler, Dr. Nettie Collins-Hart , Dr. Tammy Moore

COEHS Administrative Assistant receives recognition from the  American Advertising Federation as the

Most Promising Multicultural Student

Isabella Castro is a senior at Lindenwood University pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing with a double minor in Advertising and Digital Marketing. She has worked for the College of Education and Human Services for two years, aiding faculty and staff in the creation of digital campaign assets. Recently, she was one of 50 students chosen across the United States inducted in the American Advertising Federation’s Most Promising Multicultural Student class of 2023. Isabella has been a member of Lindenwood University’s Lionettes Dance Team all four years of college and has won three National Championships in the Jazz and Hip-Hop divisions. Post-graduation, she plans on staying in the St. Louis area pursuing a career in the social media field.

COEHS Faculty Member as new Faculty Council Chair

Congratulations to Dr. Mitch Nasser on moving into the role of Faculty Council Chair. Dr. Nasser is an Associate Professor for Educational Leadership and will move in the role of FC chair for the next academic year.

Congratulations Lamika Cannon!

Congratulations to one of our students, Lamika Cannon, who received recognition for being the building level Teacher of the Year. Lamika is in the final stages of completing her Business teacher certification while being employed with the school district.

Gold Educational Partnerships Setting the Standard  

Lindenwood’s Gold Educational Partnership is more than a 20% tuition discount for all staff at participating K-12 schools. Lindenwood University is building a relationship to meet each district’s educational needs. Whether through district-sponsored cohorts or individual staff, Lindenwood has the programs to meet the needs of school districts. Wendy Linton and Donnie Wieland of Enrollment Management are working in cooperation with the College of Education and Human Services to promote this new and exciting program. At the present time, seventeen K-12 school districts have signed a Gold Educational Partnership Memorandum of Understanding, with more being added weekly. 



Each district has a land page complete with contact information. https://www.lindenwood.edu/educational-gold-program/ 

The Gold Educational Partnership includes a designated school official who communicates and disseminates information about Lindenwood University. Lindenwood staff also is available for district new employees’ training, college career fairs, mock interviews, and other educational services.  

If your school district would like more information please email wlinton@lindenwood.edu. 

Sarah Coyne, Communications Director of Communications at Joplin Schools and Wendy Linton, Greater Missouri Extended Sites Manager attended the Franklin Technical School College Fair on March 2nd, 2023. Attending college fairs is just another perk for our Gold Educational Partners. 

School's Back in Session

COEHS Student Podcast

Just released! Please spread the word!

Individuals that take two (2) semesters of the repeatable LindenTeach Internship course and Graduate level student Interns are invited to contribute to this podcast, created by COEHS students.

Apply for a LindenTeach Internship by visiting the LindenTeach website at https://www.lindenwood.edu/education/student-resources/lindenteach/

Lindenwood Graduate Student Presents Research at State Conference



Graduate Student Julie Bowman presented her research “Auditory Temporal Sampling Framework and Increased fluency in Reading Writing, and Math” at the Missouri Council for Exceptional Children Conference in Columbia, Missouri on March 8th. Julie studies Gifted Education, Dyslexia, and K-12 Special Reading programs. 

Lindenwood Student Wins State Award 

Lindenwood student teacher Kayla Meyer was awarded the Dabney Future Outstanding Special Education Teacher Award at the 7th Annual Collaborative Missouri Council for Exceptional Children Conference March 7-9th in Columbia, MO. Competing with other university special education student teachers from around the state, Kayla’s cooperating teachers and professors commended her for her leadership and exemplary teaching skills shown in the classroom. What shines the most through her work with students, however, is Kayla’s passion for their success whether through life skills or academic endeavors. As one of her field experience supervisors noted, “Even before she is a certified special educator, Kayla Meyer has had a huge impact on the lives of Missouri students.” Her school district cooperating student teacher agreed, stating, “I can assure you that Kayla is going to touch the lives of many children.” 

Kayla joins ten other previous Lindenwood Special Education student teachers over the past 22 years to receive this honor. Kayla’s parents attended the award luncheon honoring Kayla. 

Adjunct Professor Recognized at Softball Game

COEHS Adjunct Professor Cam Newton was recognized at the women’s softball game by her student Amanda Weyh (Pictured). This special softball game honored great professors who are positively impacting our student-athletes lives every day. 

LindenTeach Interns Launch Into Districts, Providing Support for Student Learning

The LindenTeach Interns began their internship semester on January 9th as paid employees of our partner school districts: Francis Howell, City of St Charles School District, Orchard Farm School District, Winfield School District, Wright City School District, and Gateway Science Academy of St Louis. These interns are assigned mentor teachers within the buildings that they serve as substitute teachers. They learn and practice various classroom management skills, network with teachers, and administrators in the district and attend professional development sessions.  

COEHS SCEC Students Attend State Conference

Representing Lindenwood's Student Council for Exceptional Children, Dr. Rebecca Panagos, student teachers Brookelyn Bell, Kayla Meyer, and graduate student Julie Bowman attended sessions on Academic Interventions, ADA 33 years later, Positive Behavior Supports-25 years later, Multi-Tiered System of Supports and Trauma and Social Emotional Learning. Brookelyn and Kayla volunteered to work the Registration Table. Over 300 special education teachers, students, administrators, school psychologists, and related professionals attended. 

Julie Bowman, Temporal Sampling Framework Activation and Phonological Awareness and Increased Fluency In Reading, Writing and Math Learning. 

Career Fair 2023

Teacher candidates from the College of Education and Human Services attended the Spring 2023 Educator, Career, and Internship Fair hosted by the Center for Engaged Learning. Administrators and representatives from a wide variety of area school districts were able to meet and greet our candidates. Candidates were able to practice their elevator pitches, ask questions of district representatives, and participate in real interviews.  

Teacher candidates interested in fall LindenTeach Internships were also able to visit with partner districts at the fair and determine a best fit for future employment as a LindenTeach Intern.  

COEHS Teacher Candidate Hadel Abdelkarim,

Robert J. Greef Award Winner 

Hadel Abdelkarim was chosen as the 2023 Robert J. Greef Award winner from Lindenwood University. This award honors an outstanding senior that is majoring in English and is planning to teach upon graduation. Awardees were honored at the March Write to Learn Conference, hosted by the Missouri Council of Teachers of English (MoCTE).  



Hadel is a first-generation college student, double majoring in Journalism and English with a minor in secondary education. Hadel writes that she is a proud Palestinian American who is fluent in Arabic and plans to get her Master’s in Education. She the Secretary of a new organization called Muslim Student Association and works with the Community Engagement Center on campus where she can connect with different people and work with Lindenwood Alumni. She is also involved in Lindenlink and writes news stories for the university. Congratulations, Hadel!  

COEHS Faculty Publishes their Article

Dr. Michelle Whitacre and Dr. Amanda Aldridge recently published their article, A Case for Adaptability: Exploring the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Preservice Teachers’ Culminating Field Experiences, in The Teacher Educator.

Their study explored the experiences of preservice teachers who were student teaching amid the COVID-19 pandemic, including how such experiences impacted their perceptions of self-efficacy and pedagogical readiness. The research was supported by a PRIDE Fund Grant awarded to Dr. Whitacre in 2021.  

Students Successfully Complete Doctoral Dissertation Defenses

Lisa Gray defended her dissertation titled “An Historic Analysis of the Operation of a Truancy Court Conducted in an Urban Middle School.” Her dissertation chair was Dr. Sherrie Wisdom. 

Khitam Issa Yousuf Abdalla defended her dissertation titled “A Correlational Study Examining the Teacher Candidates’ Performance in the Initial Teacher Preparation Programs of a Private Midwestern University.” Her dissertation chair was Dr. Kevin Winslow. 

Colter Rantz defended his dissertation titled “Educator Perceptions of Teacher Leadership and Its Impact on School Culture.” His dissertation chair was Dr. Shelly Fransen

COEHS BCBA Student Spotlight

COEHS Alumni Sadiqa Reza is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a licensed Behavior Analyst in the State of Missouri. She has been practicing ABA for 13 years with focus on Early Intervention. Sadiqa has also been involved with research work pertaining to Early Intervention through Lindenwood University and has presented her research at the ABAI conference in 2019. She is also currently serving as Member at Large at the Missouri Board of Applied Behavior Analysis. Sadiqa is passionate about applying ABA principles in the naturalistic environment with a goal to promote inclusion among learners of all abilities.

Social Work Senior Advocates for Disability Rights

COEHS social work senior, Zac Noble (top, center of photo), with five adult residents and staff from St. Louis Life, traveled to Jefferson City on February 28th to increase awareness of and lobby for increased funding for resources and staff salaries to meet the needs of those diagnosed with disabilities in Missouri. St. Louis Life is a community-based, residential program for adults with developmental disabilities. Residents work and live in the community and are allowed to make decisions that affect all aspects of their lives. This independent living program offers apartments, job placement/coaching, social, educational, recreational activities, and many other support services. As part of his 400-hour social work practicum, Zac toured the Capitol to meet with Senators and a lobbyist from the Gateway Coalition. Zac described this Legislative Day as being an “enlightening experience as it was the first time I witnessed legislative advocacy in action. I was impressed by the large turn-out and variety of disabilities that was represented.”

Dr. Patterson-Mills Appointed to Associate and Copy Editor for Career Developments Magazine

Career Developments is a quarterly magazine published by the National Career Development Association.

According to Dr. Patterson-Mills, "I am excited for this opportunity to share writing opportunities with our colleagues and students. At the same time, staying current with practitioner research will inform our career counseling students with best practices in the field. I love teaching career counseling and this source will be an immediate consumable source of the latest information for the course". Her first edition was published March, 2023.

Isabella Castro, Marketing Student and Student Worker,

Publishes Graphic

Isabella (Bella) contributed with a graphic on a recent article in Career Developments Summer Issue (2023). The article, titled Developing a Solid, Client-Centered, Career Program was co-authored by James Conquaya and Kaur Manpreet.

Career Developments (2023).

Summer Issue, Graphic by Isabella Castro, Lindenwood University Student

The Caught-You-Caring program is an incentive designed to recognize student workers, staff, and faculty within the College of Education and Human Services. The following award winners have gone above and beyond their expected work to provide a support to their students and colleagues. 

The March awardees are: 



Susan Purnell, Assistant Professor, Counseling

Kelly Baker, Adjunct Instructor, COEHS

Nominations close on April 27th!

If you have any questions or concerns please email COEHS@Lindenwood.edu

The COEHS Student Advisory Council resumed meetings for the Spring '23 semester. The students discussed topics and concerns relevant to their coursework and success. Topics ranged from online courses, Canvas shells, and course objectives to campus food. The outcomes of the Council's discussions are presented to the COEHS Leadership Team for consideration. 

Students of all levels (undergraduates and graduates) who would like to have a voice on a wide range of topics and important issues within the COEHS and around the University are encouraged to participate. 

The next meeting will be held on April 19th at 10am. 

Please contact Chrissy Sachs csachs@lindenwood.edu for more information.

Get Ready for Get Money Smart @ Lindenwood

The annual Get Money Smart @ Lindenwood program will take place in April 2023. The program is designed to combat financial illiteracy and is open to Lindenwood students, faculty, staff, and alumni, as well as the public. Get Money Smart @ Lindenwood provides unique opportunities to learn relevant and practical financial information and skills, empowering individuals to make sound choices that lead to financial stability and security. The program features four FREE events in April 2023 to coincide with National Financial Literacy Month and Money Smart Month St. Louis. Every Tuesday in April from 2:30pm to 3:30pm dynamic speakers will discuss practical personal finance issues and strategies. For convenience, events will take place both virtually via Zoom and in person at Lindenwood in Dunseth Auditorium. 

• April 4 | Achieving Your Professional and Financial Goals 
• April 11 | Cryptocurrency: Friend or Foe? 
• April 18 | Sustainable Budgeting 
• April 25 | Investing Basics 

Participants will have the chance to win prizes after every session. Faculty and teachers, this is a perfect opportunity to engage your students and teach them practical life skills. Encourage your students to participate in the month-long activities in April by offering incentives like extra credit opportunities. Lindenwood faculty and staff can earn professional development credit through The Learning Academy. 

Find more information about Get Money Smart @ Lindenwood.  Events are free but registration is required.

We hope you enjoyed this issue of The Lead!

Please email any suggestions or feedback to COEHS@lindenwood.edu

Lindenwood College of Education and Human Services | lindenwood.edu/education