About the College

  • Overview
  • From the Dean
  • Mission
  • Diversity
  • News/Events

Who We AreZook Hall, home of the College of Education

» Dean
Mark D. Shermis, Ph.D.

» Established
1921

» Departments
Counseling
Curricular & Instructional Studies
Educational Foundations & Leadership
Sport Science & Wellness Education

» Centers and Clinics
Center for Child DevelopmentFind us on Facebook
Center for Literacy
Center for Urban and Higher Education
Clinic for Individual & Family Therapy
Consortium for Leadership in Evaluation, Assessment and Research (CLEAR)
H. K. Barker Center for Economic Education
Ohio STEM Learning Network – Akron Hub
Reading First/e-Read Ohio

» Degree Options
Bachelor's - 34
Dean's office contact informationMaster's - 41
Doctoral - 5
Licensures, Endorsements - 45

» Faculty
Full-time - 71
Part-time - 140

Faculty/Staff Directory

» Enrollment (Fall 2011)
Undergraduate - 2,804
Graduate - 1,220

» Alumni
29,153

Welcome Students, Parents, Alumni, and Friends--

Dean Mark D. Shermis

We view this portal as our “electronic face” to the outside world, and we appreciate your taking the time to learn more about us. You will find that we have an array of high quality undergraduate and graduate programs that are run by outstanding and engaged faculty. We are accredited by NCATE, CACREP, CAATE, APA, COAMFTE, and the Ohio Department of Education. Our willingness to engage in continuous improvement through accreditation is just one sign of the culture of excellence that exists here. In addition to our formal academic program offerings, the Office of Outreach and Professional Learning provides a range of continuing professional educational opportunities as well.

In part because we operate in a metropolitan environment, you will find that the research conducted by our faculty is relevant to solving the myriad of educational problems facing our nation today. You can use this web site to find out more about their published articles, papers, and grant activities; faculty, contract professional, and staff accomplishments; and the kinds of external programs that they have developed to serve the children of Akron and surrounding communities. Our College ranked second highest in the amount of externally funded research awarded last year throughout the University.

Our faculty, contract professionals, and staff are deeply engaged with the community and this engagement reflects a set of values that we hope to pass on to our students. We have professional development sites at several schools in northeast Ohio where we collaborate with our K-12 partners to help develop the 21st century skills that our children need to compete in today’s global economy. In addition we are working with a number of initiatives to bring students into the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) areas where, nationally, there is a critical shortage. We are also collaborating within the University to increase the number and rates of college graduates in the region.

Invitation to view the College of Education videoThis website was designed for ease of use, and I hope that it answers most of the questions that you might have about the College of Education at The University of Akron. If it does not, please feel free to contact me or an appropriate departmental representative, and we will address your concerns as quickly as possible. If you have suggestions for improvement, please also feel free to pass them along. Go Zips!

Mark D. Shermis, Dean

Mission

The University of Akron's College of Education is a community of professionals whose purpose is to provide leadership for community well-being through standard-setting programs that enhance teaching, learning, and human development; research and inquiry; and outreach. We develop ourselves and others through continuous improvement and through a commitment to these core components of professional practice and scholarship: Knowledge, Technology, Diversity, and Ethics.

Vision

The University of Akron and the College of Education will be known for its commitment to inclusive excellence. We will continue to expand access and ensure that all students achieve a quality education to meet the demands of an increasingly global and multi-national society.

Our guiding principles are:

  • Commitment to student development and success
  • Community engagement and service
  • Shared leadership and equitable collaboration
  • Inclusion
  • Innovative and creative thinking
  • Commitment to excellence

We have a lengthy history of service to the Akron area.

Diversity is Inclusiveness

Although diversity connotes difference, diversity is inclusiveness. It embraces but is not limited to race, ethnicity, sex/gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, social class, age, national/geographic origin, language, religious beliefs, exceptionalities, and other unique personal characteristics. By building a College community that values diversity and academic excellence – which we hold as inseparable – we are continually renewed and enriched.

The University of Akron embraces inclusive excellence. Learn more about the comprehensive efforts across campus that support diversity. Read more.

College of Education Diversity Vision Statement

Diversity, in all its multifaceted forms and expressions, is not an end in itself. Rather, diversity is a means to a greater educational end, founded on the pursuit, creation, and transmission of knowledge to all persons for the long-term betterment of society. Through understanding, incorporating, and embracing diversity, the College community will promote learning, inclusiveness, acceptance, and respect for those with differing characteristics, lifestyles, and histories. The creation of a learning environment that welcomes College-wide diversity is deemed essential for building an exemplary educational institution. Therefore, the College champions diversity as a value to be upheld through incorporating the following activities into its core vision:

  • Seeking to attract and retain diverse students, faculty, staff, and administrators
  • Initiating and supporting activities that enhance College-wide diversity
  • Fostering the attainment of knowledge, skills, and dispositions related to understanding diversity
  • Developing a college culture that inspires, liberates, and transforms the perceptions of others regarding the positive nature of diversity
  • Forming a College community mosaic that allows persons to retain their individuality while simultaneously contributing to the overall College-wide diversity vision

Dr. Jennifer L. Milam

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