Image: AERA Dissertation Award Received by Jones Noble Jones (PhD 2018) received a 2019 Outstanding Dissertation Award from the American Education Research Association (AERA) Division J at the annual conference in Toronto in April. One of the leading research societies, AERA Division J, promotes the use of research to improve education and serve the public good. Jones’ dissertation, Inside the Black Box: The Garbage Can Model of Decision-Making in Selective College Admissions, was praised by the AERA selection committee "for its emphasis on such a critically important issue in higher education." The members commended Jones for "the enormous richness of findings that [he] presented in such an engaging manner." "It means a tremendous amount to be recognized by the field for your work, and I am truly honored to receive this award," said Jones. “I remain indebted to my IHE committee members for the thoughtful guidance and encouragement they offered through- out my dissertation process, and in particular to my major professor, Jim Hearn, who devoted hours of thought and reflection as my research design unfolded, took shape, and became real. Personally, I’m excited to share my research more broadly and always welcome a conversation.” The findings of his study confirm the need for future research into the college admissions decision-making process to meet the institutional mission and organizational needs of universities and colleges. Jones joined Wesleyan University as associate dean of admission in August. Webber Co-edits Data Analytics Book Professor Karen Webber and colleague Henry Zheng at The Ohio State University are co-editing a book on data analytics in higher education. They share important issues related to the benefits and challenges and offer some points to consider as leaders in higher education move further into data-driven analytics. Webber and Zheng received expert contributions from a number of leaders in higher education teaching and administration, including IHE doctoral student Jillian Morn, who is director for institutional research and decision support for Emory University’s School of Law. Webber explains, “In many ways, data and analytics have the potential to help higher education students and institutions succeed, and this book is intended to help graduate students and higher education leaders to understand how to best greet the era of Big Data and new analytics on campus.” Individual chapters include principles of good practice, examples of analytic strategies, techniques for data representation, and arguments for the use of data analytics in a variety of educational activities. The book, which is expected to be released in early 2020 by Johns Hopkins University Press, offers important discussions on the value of support from institutional leaders, institution-wide organizational strategies, and strong data governance. Morris Honored for Excellence and Service Libby Morris received several accolades and honors over the past year. Among those was induction into UGA’s chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, which is the nation’s oldest and most selective honor society for all academic disciplines. She was honored with the inaugural Spirit of Public Service and Outreach Award in recognition of her advocacy for UGA’s public service mission, and a plaque honoring her was placed beneath a mature poplar tree in the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. Also in 2019, she joined an eminent group of recipients when selected for a Blue Key Service Award, which is presented to distinguished individuals who have made a major contribution to the university, the state, and the nation. At the annual Women’s Faculty Reception, Morris received the 2019 Women’s Studies Faculty Award for her exceptional leadership and mentorship. Hutchinson Receives President’s Medal Sylvia Hutchinson, Professor Emerita of Reading Education and Higher Education, received a 2019 University of Georgia’s President’s Medal. The medal recognizes extraordinary contributions of individuals who are not current employees and who have supported students and academic programs, advanced research, and inspired community leaders to enhance the quality of life of citizens in Georgia. After her retirement, Hutchinson served UGA through the Coca-Cola Foundation’s First Generation Scholarship program and on boards for a variety of organizations, including UGA’s Graduate Development program, the Education and Law Consortium, the Athens Tutorial Program, and Georgia Voyager magazine. Jones Designated Provost Distinguished Professor Roy I. Jones (EdD 1981) was recognized as an outstanding scholar who is highly productive and building a positive national reputation for Clemson University. In the announcement, Provost Robert H. Jones commended Jones, “Through scholarship and teacher education, Dr. Jones has served as an advocate for underrepresented and underserved students, families and communities in South Carolina and across the nation.” During his four-year appointment (2019- 2023), Jones plans to “continue to shed light on and give voice to the realities faced by students who can truly benefit from a teacher workforce that is more representative of the communities around them.” Billings and Whatley Accepted into 2019 NCES Data Institute Postdoctoral associate Meredith Billings and Melissa Whatley (PhD 2019) were fellows of the 2019 NCES Data Institute: Using Federal Datasets to Support Research on Postsecondary Education. Both participants appreciated the deeper exposure to postsecondary education data available through the federal government. The program also enabled them to connect with higher education professionals across the United States and to collaborate on a substantive research project using NCES publicly available data. Acceptance into the Institute is very competitive, and less than one-third of applicants were selected this year. In addition to Billings and Whatley, the 2019 class included IR practitioners, graduate students, and faculty members currently working in public two- or four-year institutions, private nonprofit organizations, and professional associations. Little Recognized as Rising Star Emmanuel Little (PhD 2018) is featured on the cover of the Milledgeville Scene’s Winter 2019 issue. The magazine selected Little as one of their “20 under 40” rising stars who make a significant impact on the Milledgeville/Baldwin County area. He was recognized for his work recruiting, preparing, and mentoring undergraduate males into inspirational K-12 teachers. Little is the founding director of the Call Me MISTER program at Georgia College and State University, and he wrote his dissertation on the MISTER program at Clemson University, which is directed by IHE alumnus Roy Jones. Little remembers seeing very few African American male instructors when he was in grade school, and he is working to change that for present and future generations. He tells high school students, “[There are] not many jobs that you can say, ‘I wake up every single day and have a brand new opportunity to change the world.’” Christenson Awarded Housing Award Larry Christenson (EdD 2011) has been awarded a 2019 Parthenon Award, the most prestigious award given by the Association of College and University Housing Officers – International. The award recognizes supreme achievement in the profession, outstanding service, leadership, and contributions to the field of campus housing. Dr. Christenson is one of five to receive the award, which was presented at the 2019 ACUHO-I Conference and Expo in Toronto on June 22. Leming Recognized for Student Affairs Work Heidi Scheusner Leming (PhD 2013), vice chancellor for student success at the College System of Tennessee, has received the 2019 John Jones Award for Outstanding Performance as a Senior Student Affairs Officer from the leading student affairs organization, NASPA, Region III. The award recognizes student affairs officers, who are well-respected as collaborative, effective, and inspirational leaders by a range of campus constituencies, who show strategic and innovative leadership in providing programs and services to students, who demonstrate a high level of competency in developing staff, and who engage actively in their communities, professional associations, and scholarship. Leming received the award at the NASPA Regional Summer Conference & Symposium on June 7 in Washington, D.C. Type of News/Audience: IHE Report 2019 IHE Report
