College of Education Unit
Wins National Award

The Department of Educational Leadership and Counseling, chaired by Genevieve Brown, was selected for the award by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education's Committee on Women's Issues. It is the only such award given this year.

The award will be presented during the association's annual meeting Feb. 28 in New Orleans to Brown (right) and Beverly Irby, (left) associate professor of education. Brown, Irby and other faculty members are credited with a number of gender equity activities, including creation of the Internet's first refereed journal on women's issues.

Another accomplishment was a five-state study on the impact in public schools and in university schools of education of a national awareness campaign and a call for action related to gender equity in schools initiated by the American Association of University Women.

That 1995 study resulted in presentations at conferences, use of the results in classes at SHSU, and publication of articles in two national publications.

Another accomplishment was implementation of a graduate course entitled"Women in Educational Leadership." When it was initiated in 1990 there was no course like it in the United States, but other universities have since adopted similar courses.

A number of other activities have included publication of books, organization of a national conference, development of a professional library on gender equity for the region, and numerous presentations from the campus to regional and national conferences.

"We are always pleased to receive a national award," said Brown. "Our entire department has worked very hard. This is a departmental award and it has been a team effort."

Kenneth Craycraft, dean of the College of Education and Applied Science, said that the award marks a continuation of progress in teacher preparation.

"This is certainly a great tribute to the college and the university, since there is only one award given nationally," said Craycraft. "We have tried to build a reputation for excellence and quality. We've always had it, but it's nice to get the recognition, and nice that it comes now as we are working to build our new doctorate in educational leadership."

One of the reviewers involved in making the award noted in her comments that "...Sam Houston University's submission shows a broad range of relevant activities interwoven throughout the program. I am particularly impressed by the level of commitment to gender equity and the development of leadership among women at the institution."

Media Contact: Frank Krystyniak
Jan. 29, 1998