About the College of Education and Allied Professions
Empowering Student Success Through Excellence in Education
The primary role of the College is to prepare educators, counselors, psychologists, recreation personnel, and other human service specialists at both entry and advanced levels. Guided by the priorities and goals of the CEAP Strategic Plan, the College prepares professionals who are equipped to meet the evolving needs of learners, schools, agencies, and communities throughout North Carolina and beyond. These professionals will staff public elementary, secondary, and postsecondary schools, sport and recreation agencies, and other human service organizations across the region.
The College develops and maintains a community of scholars that promotes and recognizes excellence in teaching, service, and research. The CEAP Strategic Plan provides a framework for innovation, collaboration, student success, and continuous improvement across all programs and initiatives. Of these three scholarly activities, providing optimal learning environments for students remains the highest priority, followed by service and research.
Mission, Vision, and Core Values
Mission: (Who We Are)
The College of Education and Allied Professions (CEAP) is dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. We strive to develop changemakers who positively influence the region and beyond as educators and practitioners. Together, we foster a collaborative and respectful community that encourages open dialogue and shared responsibility through both curricular and co-curricular experiences. The CEAP fulfills its mission by prioritizing optimal learning environments for students and nurturing a scholarly community that values and advances teaching, service, and research.
Vision: (Who We Want to Be)
Our goal is to engage and support faculty and staff who are committed to delivering high-quality educational experiences. We aim to promote the holistic growth of students by preparing them not only for successful careers, but also to become thoughtful citizens and leaders who advocate for the betterment of their communities.
Core Values: (What Guides and Inspires Us)
In the College of Education and Allied Professions, we value鈥�
- Empathy, responsibility, engagement, passion, commitment, and collaboration.
- Respect for individuals鈥� backgrounds and perspectives in our programs and among our people.
- Emotional well-being, joy and kindness, resilience, humility, and gratitude.
- A student-centered, holistic approach to teaching and learning.
- Professional engagement and innovation.
- Active collaboration, partnership, and connection with our community and beyond.
- Excellence in scholarship and applied research.
Governance
The business of our College is governed by our Bylaws, which established our standing committees, listed below.
2026-2027 College of Education and Allied Professions Standing Committees
Updated: AUG 2026
The Leadership Council is directly responsible to the Dean. The purpose of the Leadership Council is to advise the dean on policy and of matters related to the operation of the College of Education and Allied Professions.
Kim Winter, Dean
Lee Nickles, Associate Dean
Myra Watson, Director of Teacher and Professional Education
Kelly Tracy, Director of the School of Teaching and Learning (STL)
Holly Pinter, Assistant Director of the School of Teaching and Learning (STL)
April Perry, Department Head of Human Services (HS)
Emily Virtue, Assistant Department Head of Human Services (HS)
Kia Asberg, Department Head of Psychology (PSY)
Erin Myers, Assistant Department Head of Psychology (PSY)
Amanda Chapman, Director of Office of Field Experience
Jenny Stewart, Director of Student Success
Lynley Hardie, Business Officer
Regina Aton, Executive Assistant to the Dean and Leadership Council Secretary
The purpose of the Academic Action Appeals Committee is to hear student appeals involving grades and/or academic integrity board decisions in accordance with university policy.
Lee Nickles, Chair, Associate Dean, Permanent
Jennifer Jarrett, HS, Department Appointment, 2026-2027
Alex Joyner, HS, Department Appointment, 2026-2027
Phil Waalkes, HS, Department Appointment, 2026-2027
Courtney Rogers, PSY, Department Appointment, 2026-2027
Nathan Roth, PSY, Department Appointment, 2026-2027
David Scales, PSY, Department Appointment, 2026-2027
Kristy Doss, STL, Department Appointment, 2026-2027
Kim Elliott, STL, Department Appointment, 2026-2027
Bob Perkins, STL, Department Appointment, 2026-2027
The purpose of the Assessment Committee is to oversee and support assessment work in the college and ensure communication regarding assessment between the college, programs, and departments.
Lee Nickles, Associate Dean, Permanent
Myra Watson, Director of Teacher and Professional Education, Permanent
Yancey Gulley, HS, Department Head Appointment, 2025-2028
Hannah Buala, PSY, Department Head Appointment, 2025-2028
Larry Fisher, STL, Department Head Appointment, 2024-2027
Bridget Lopez, CEAP Student Success Center, 2026-2029
The purpose of the Botner Superior Teaching Award Committee is to solicit nominations and select a recipient for the annual Botner Superior Teaching Award.
Kim Winter, Chair, Dean, Permanent
Kelsey Jones, HS, Department Election, 2026-2028
Nancy Valverde, HS, Department Election, 2024-2027
Sam Castelblanco, PSY, Department Election, 2024-2027
Courtney Rogers, PSY, Department Election, 2025-2028
Tabatha Gillett, STL, Department Election, 2026-2029
Kim Elliott, STL, Department Election, 2024-2027
TBD, CEAP Undergraduate Student, 2026-2027
TBD, CEAP Graduate Student, 2026-2027
The purpose of the Collegial Review Committee is to review and make recommendations to the Dean on all candidates for tenure, promotion, and reappointment within the College, following the procedures in the 蘑菇短视频Faculty Handbook.
Kim Winter, Chair, Dean, Permanent
Heidi Von Dohlen, CEAP Member at Large, College Election, 2026-2029
Brad Witzel, CEAP Member at Large, College Election, 2026-2028
Adrienne Stuckey, CEAP Member at Large, College Election, 2024-2027
Lisen Roberts, CEAP Member at Large, College Election, 2024-2027
Emily Virtue, HS, College Election, 2026-2029
Jess Weiler, HS, College Election, 2024-2027
Alleyene Broomell, PSY, College Election, 2025-2028
David de Jong, PSY, College Election, 2024-2027
Roya Scales, STL, College Election, 2026-2029
Holly Pinter, STL, College Election, 2024-2027
The purpose of the Curriculum Committee is to review and act on curriculum proposals that pertain to programs in the College of Education and Allied Professions.
Lee Nickles, ex-officio, Associate Dean, Permanent
Cathy Andrews, HS, Dean's Appointment, 2023-2026
Sarah Pedonti, HS, College Election, 2026-2029
Nancy Valverde, HS, College Election, 2024-2027
Courtney Rogers, Chair, PSY, College Election, 2025-2028
Candace Boan-Lenzo, PSY, Dean's Appointment, 2026-2029
Meghan Gangel, PSY, College Election, 2024-2027
Roya Scales, STL, College Election, 2025-2028
Malinda Pennington, STL, Dean's Appointment, 2024-2027
Dan Grube, STL, College Election, 2023-2026
The Community Connection Committee works to support the mission of the College by providing leadership in a variety of areas. Some of the services we offer are:
- Brainstorming new ways to work for belongingness at WCU
- Collaborating with a variety of partners on campus and in the community
- Offering resources to the College community
- Facilitating Book Clubs
- Sponsoring speakers and professional development
Sarah Pedonti, Chair
Selection of the recipient of the Dean鈥檚 Research, Dale Carpenter Faculty Service Award, Dale Carpenter Staff Service Award, and the Soaring High Award (even shall be made by the CEAP Exemplary Awards Committee based on evaluation of nominations received from the faculty and staff in the college.
Leigh Hilger, HS, Previous Year's Dale Carpenter Faculty Serice Award Winner, 2026-2027
Sarah Pedonti, HS, Previous Year's Dean's Research Award Winner, 2026-2027
Heather McGuire, TBD, Previous Year's Dale Carpenter Staff Service Award Winner, 2025-2026
Yancey Gulley, HS, Department Appointment, 2026-2028
Alicia Grande, PSY, Department Appointment, 2026-2029
Amelia Wheeler, STL, Department Appointment, 2025-2028
Katie Weikel, STL, Staff, 2026-2029
TBD, CEAP Student, 2026-2027
The Faculty Advisory Committee shall advise the Dean on any matter of concern to the Dean or to any member of the Committee.
Kim Winter, Chair, Dean, Permanent
Tiffany Newsome, HS, College Election, 2026-2029
Myra Watson, HS, College Election, 2025-2028
Callie Schultz, HS, Department Appointment, 2026-2029
Meghan Gangel, PSY, College Election, 2026-2029
Emily Winkelman, PSY, Department Appointment, 2026-2029
David Scales, PSY, College Election, 2024-2027
Carrie Rogers, STL, College Election, 2025-2028
Denise Morgan, STL, Department Appointment, 2026-2029
Larry Fisher, STL, College Election, 2024-2027
The Committee shall conduct all elections for College representatives to the Faculty Senate; Graduate Council; University Collegial Review Committee; University General Education Monitoring Committee; all committees and councils of the College that have members elected from the college as a whole, according to the University Faculty Governance Document and the Bylaws of the College.
Adrienne Stuckey, Chair, CEAP Member at Large, College Election, 2024-2028
Jennifer Jarrett, CEAP Member at Large, College Election, 2026-2030
The primary purpose of the PAC is to advise leadership on current trends in education and participate in discussions of how to more effectively enhance the knowledge and experiences of teacher and principal candidates as well as other school professionals, as well as to increase overall competence and performance in the field. The PAC will contribute to the development and continuous improvement of the curricula, policies, partnership activities, and community outreach initiatives of the 蘑菇短视频educator and school professional preparation programs. In addition, council members will serve as a liaison between academia and their respective organization.
Amanda Chapman, Director of the Office of Field Experience, Permanent
Myra Watson, Director of Teacher and Professional Education, Permanent
Kelly Tracy, Director of the School of Teaching and Learning, Permanent
Sarah Pedonti, HS, Department Election, 2024-2027
Sarah Grace Frary, PSY, Department Election, 2026-2027
Dan Grube, STL, Department Election, 2026-2029
The Professional Education Council (PEC) serves as an advisory body for all items related to professional education/licensure programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The body is composed of representatives from the College of Education and Allied Professions, the College of Health and Human Sciences, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Fine and Performing Arts, the university administration, area public school professionals, and 蘑菇短视频students.
Under the purview of the PEC are policies, program admission, curriculum changes, assessment and accreditation, and other issues related to professional education at the university. Appeals by students of the decisions based on professional education policies are considered by the PEC. It is an advisory body to the Dean of the College of Education and Allied Professions. Please see the PEC website, by-laws, policies, and membership for more detailed information.
The purposes of the CEAP Scholarship and Awards Committee are to select and to approve departmental selections for scholarships and awards for the College of Education and Allied Professions. The CEAP Scholarship and Awards Committee will select recipients for the general college scholarships from all qualified applicants. Academic programs will review scholarships requiring special selection criteria with recipient selections reported to the CEAP Scholarship and Awards Committee chair.
Monica Miller, Chair, CEAP Student Success Center, Permanent
Justin Menickelli, Faculty Member at Large, Dean's Appointment, 2026-2029
Amanda Chapman, Staff Member at Large, Dean's Appointment, 2021-2024
Marie-Line Germain, HS, Dean's Appointment, 2025-2028
Donna Harris, HS, Dean's Appointment, 2025-2028
Tanya Poole, HS, Dean's Appointment, 2025-2028
Alicia Grande, PSY, Dean's Appointment, 2023-2026
Nathan Roth, PSY, Dean's Appointment, 2024-2027
Lary Fisher, STL, Dean's Appointment, 2025-2028
Kelly Kelley, STL, Dean's Appointment, 2026-2028
Beth Poteat, STL, Dean's Appointment, 2026-2028
Roya Scales, STL, Dean's Appointment, 2024-2027
The purpose of the Student Advisory Committee shall be to advise the Dean on matters of mutual interest. The committee is comprised of Dean Kim Winter and students from within the college that are a CEAP Student Ambassador or have been nominated by their department.
HUMAN SERVICES
April Perry, Chair, HS Department Head, Permanent
Derek Becker, HS, 2026-2028
Aarti Bellara, HS, 2026-2028
Melodie Frick, HS, 2026-2027
Yancey Gulley, HS, 2026-2028
Siham Lekchiri, HS, 2025-2028
Paul Stonehouse, HS, 2025-2028
PSYCHOLOGY
Kia Asberg, Chair, PSY Department Head, Permanent
Candace Boan-Lenzo, PSY, 2026-2027
Alleyene Broomell, PSY, 2026-2027
Alvin Malesky, PSY, 2026-2027
Erin Myers, PSY, 2026-2027
Nathan Roth, PSY, 2026-2027
David Solomon, PSY, 2026-2027
SCHOOL OF TEACHING AND LEARNING
Kelly Tracy, Chair, STL Director, Permanent
Dan Grube, STL, 2025-2028
Patricia Bricker, STL, 2025-2028
Brad Witzel, STL, 2025-2028
Karena Cooper-Duffy, STL, 2026-2029
David Virtue, STL, 2026-2029
Tom Watterson, STL, 2026-2029
HUMAN SERVICES
April Perry, Chair, HS Department Head, Permanent
No Candidates for 2026-2027
PSYCHOLOGY
Kia Asberb, Chair, PSY Department Head, Permanent
Alleyene Broomell, STL, 2026-2027
Alicia Grance, STL, 2026-2027
Erin Myers, STL, 2026-2027
David Scales, STL, 2026-2027
SCHOOL OF TEACHING AND LEARNING
Kelly Tracy, Chair, STL Director, Permanent
Gayle Maddox, STL, 2025-2027
Malinda Pennington, STL, 2025-2027
Holly Pinter, STL, 2025-2027
Beth Poteat, STL, 2025-2027
Kristy Doss, STL, 2026-2028
Justin Menickelli, STL, 2026-2028
Denise Morgan, STL, 2026-2028
Don Sinyard, STL, 2026-2028