The excellence of the faculty and students in the School of Education and Human Development played a key role in Ernest Rose's decision to come to Binghamton as the school's fourth dean in 2000. So did Binghamton University's reputation as a quality institution. But beyond those, the opportunity to broaden the depth and scope of the school's offerings was a strong, and ultimately irresistible, draw.

"A number of ideas I heard from the search committee were of interest to me in terms of leading the way in getting them accomplished," said Rose, former dean of the College of Education and Human Services at Montana State University-Billings. "I love the opportunity to sit down with people and say, ÔOkay here's a challenge, what can we do about it?' and come up with ideas that will work, that will diminish that challenge so it doesn't become a barrier -- ideas that enable us to move ahead to do what we need to do."

Under Rose's leadership, SEHD has successfully moved forward on all the initiatives that were on the table when he came on board:

An independent MSW program

President Lois B. DeFleur and University Provost Mary Ann Swain have endorsed an independent master of social work program in the Division of Human Development for a fall 2003 start. Professor of human development Robin Russel, who was hired to direct the program, has worked diligently with the faculty in putting together a curriculum, said Rose. "We've also been working with an accreditation consultant who has helped us develop a framework, and we've completed a business plan and budget projections," he said.

Over the past four years, SEHD has been offering a joint master of arts in social science/MSW program with Albany. "It's been a very tough program, a lot of travel back and forth," said Rose. "We've had some real troupers who went that route. But overall, people will be very pleased to have an independent MSW program here. There's a lot of need; we are already receiving a lot of letters from folks who want to know when the program is going to begin, and who want us to send them application forms as soon as they are ready."

A colorful and eclectic collection of artists' renderings of turtles decorates Dean Rose's office. Fashioned from a wide spectrum of media -- fabric, stone, marble, leather, coconut, ceramic, wood, dried grasses and metals, plus a few fun plastic renditions -- the turtles feature artistry ranging from the simple elegance of a Native American design to an intricate Chinese cloisonnŽ jewel. Why turtles? "I became interested in the Native American story of the Earth supported on the back of a turtle that swims through the universe," said Rose. "And turtles also figure in several Buddhist stories and parables."

Accreditation

As part of its education reforms, the New York State Board of Regents is requiring all colleges and universities in the state that offer teacher education programs to be accredited by the end of December 2004. SEHD has chosen to work with the Teacher Education Accrediting Council (TEAC), a national accrediting organization; the process is well under way. "We've gone to a couple of workshops and we know what to do," said Rose, who has been through the accrediting process before at Montana State University-Billings.

Integrating technology and teaching

Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers to Use Technology (PT3), directed by C. Beth Burch, associate professor of education, is a three-year grant program funded by the U.S. Department of Education. It's directed at helping to train faculty in the Division of Education to use digital and video cameras, software programs such as PowerPoint, PageMaker and database programs, and other new technologies. The University has equipped a state-of-the-art classroom in Academic B with a VCR, computers, ceiling-mount projector and other features for PT3 use.

"They've been doing a great job, holding workshops and bringing K-12 teachers as well as faculty together for training," said Rose.

Offering coursework online

This year, SEHD's Division of Professional Development and Research began offering online certificate programs in assistive technology. Assistive technology refers to the equipment and adaptive devices that make it possible for people with disabilities to perform a much broader range of jobs. These are courses in which special education teachers, rehabilitation counselors, physical and occupational therapists and other professionals who work with people who have disabilities learn how to use assistive technology with their clients. The response to this first step in online learning has been good, Rose said. "We are the only New York vendor of this program, which has been endorsed by the National Council of Special Education Directors," he said.

"There's a tremendous opportunity for growth in this school," Rose added. He acknowledges that the school needs funding and additional faculty, and notes that progress has been slowed in some areas by the consequences of Sept. 11 and other budgetary issues. "But our priorities haven't changed, and we're not giving up on any of our goals," he said. "If we can get the support we need, we will make a tremendous mark in both of our academic divisions."