By TYLER ELLYSON UNK Communications SCHUYLER – In Schuyler, Nebraska, population 6,300, half of the residents were born outside the United States. Only 53% of adults ages 25 or older completed high school and just 9% went on to earn a bachelor’s degree. The Colfax County community is a safe haven for people from across the world who left their home countries in search of a better life. Odalys Cruz’s story begins here. The daughter of Guatemalan … [Read more...] about UNK graduate Odalys Cruz aims to inspire students in her hometown
Teacher Education
Punk rock pedagogy: Drew Kemp promotes creativity, freedom in the classroom
By TYLER ELLYSON UNK Communications KEARNEY – Drew Kemp approaches life with a punk rock attitude. The new teacher education chair at the University of Nebraska at Kearney is all about creativity and innovation, and he’s never satisfied with the status quo. “Some people would describe themselves as an outside-the-box thinker. I don’t have a box,” Kemp said. “If you’re an outside-the-box thinker, you have a preconceived notion of what that box is and you’re doing … [Read more...] about Punk rock pedagogy: Drew Kemp promotes creativity, freedom in the classroom
Staff Excellence, Faculty Senate awards presented during convocation
KEARNEY – The University of Nebraska at Kearney recognized three staff members and two Faculty Senate Distinguished Service Award recipients during Friday’s Faculty/Staff Convocation in the Health and Sports Center. Staff Awards for Excellence (SAFE) are presented annually during convocation to honor UNK staff members for outstanding service to students, the university and education. SAFE Awards sponsored by Fidelity Investments were presented to Brette Ensz and Sarah … [Read more...] about Staff Excellence, Faculty Senate awards presented during convocation
UNK ‘checked all the boxes’ for new College of Education Dean Mark Reid
By TYLER ELLYSON UNK Communications KEARNEY – Mark Reid was halfway across the country – in Frostburg, Maryland – when his cellphone rang. Less than an hour later, there was a new front-runner in his job search. An associate professor of secondary education and associate dean of the College of Education and Human Services at Texas A&M University-Commerce at the time, Reid was looking for a dean position at a regional, public institution with a strong reputation … [Read more...] about UNK ‘checked all the boxes’ for new College of Education Dean Mark Reid
Faculty Senate President Martonia Gaskill focused on changing landscape
“We’re going to be flexible in our teaching, but we’re not going to be flexible as far as our goal, which is providing the best education available." By TYLER ELLYSON UNK Communications KEARNEY – Extraordinary times require extraordinary measures. This sentence summarizes Martonia Gaskill’s plan of action for the upcoming academic year. As the new Faculty Senate president, she’s prepared to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure the University of Nebraska at … [Read more...] about Faculty Senate President Martonia Gaskill focused on changing landscape
