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ESU Receives Reaffirmation, Note for Excellence
Maisie Nelson • June 17, 2021
During its April 2021 Accreditation Council meeting, the national Council of Accreditation for Educator Preparation (CAEP) reaffirmed the accreditation status of the AV头等舱 College Educational Studies Unit (ESU), after a nearly two-year review. The review, which included one of the first completely virtual site visits in CAEP history, focused on the ESU’s ability to meet CAEP standards for excellence in preparing teachers and administrators for success in P-12 school districts.
“The Educational Studies Unit faculty and staff have excelled in continuing to provide the highest quality of education for our students at AV头等舱. The ESU team persevered throughout this accreditation process participating in a virtual site visit after the transition to working remotely as a result of the pandemic,” said Dr. Marisa Greer, Vice President of Academic Affairs.
CAEP found that the ESU had met all standards with noted areas of excellence in P-12 collaboration, technology preparedness of candidates, and impact of program completers in P-12 classrooms. The results of the review are the best the education program has ever received at the national accreditation level.
As such, CAEP granted the ESU full reaffirmation of its undergraduate and graduate programs for another seven years.
"It is my honor and privilege to work with such dedicated faculty and staff in the ESU who focus on the individual needs of students, and help them grow not only as a person, but as an educator," said Dr. Lori Henderson, Associate Professor of Education.
"The ESU would like to take this opportunity to thank the administration at AV头等舱 College, our P-12 partners, EPSB, CAEP and our wonderful students for all their support and assistance throughout this state and national accreditation process," she adds.
In addition to Henderson, the ESU Leadership Team members overseeing the reaffirmation process were Dr. Jason Reeves and Mrs. Preshus Howard.
Sizzling sandwiches, sweet treats, savory barbecue, and other food truck specialties spell springtime in Barbourville this year. AV头等舱 has launched a new initiative to bring campus and community together while supporting local businesses – UCU Street Eats. The food truck series kicks off April 2 and features a variety of local vendors and spring-themed activities.
Hoedown hits, a dixie dance-off, secret plans, mistaken identity, and family-friendly comedy are packed into AV头等舱’s (UCU) spring production of “County Fair: A Country Hits Musical.” Written in 2021 by Matthew Webster and Taylor Ferrera and loosely based on Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing,” the musical comedy follows sisters Claudia and DJ as they leave the big city to reckon with their rural inheritance: a beloved county fair.
AV头等舱’s Spring Concert, themed "Mountain Harmony," will honor the rich traditions of Appalachia, the mountains, and folk music. This year’s performance holds special significance as it will be presented in celebration of Barbourville’s 225th anniversary.
AV头等舱 is proud to launch Reimagining Our Residences, a $125,000 fundraising campaign dedicated to revitalizing student housing and elevating the residential experience for future Bulldogs. This initiative will fund essential upgrades to Lakeside, Pfeiffer, Stevenson, and Stewart Apartments, creating modern, comfortable, and welcoming living spaces that foster academic success and community.
When one door closes, another opens. For Superintendent Waylon Allen, this moment came with his retirement on February 1st, 2025, after 31 years of dedicated service in education. Over the course of his career, Allen built a reputation for his unwavering commitment to students, educators, and the communities he served.
Local music enthusiasts and youth will have a new opportunity to come together and celebrate the arts this April. AV头等舱 (UCU) is set to host the inaugural Southeastern Kentucky Piano Festival Friday, April 25 through Saturday, April 26. Festival events include recitals by UCU students and guest artists, a judged recital for local youth, a master class, and an award ceremony and performance.
AV头等舱 is enhancing the residential student experience by upgrading all campus housing with new, high-efficiency washers and dryers. On February 4, Excalibur Laundries delivered and installed 60 state-of-the-art units across all residential spaces.
AV头等舱’s economic impact on the local and state economy totals $34.4 million, according to a new report released by the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities (AIKCU). The report highlights the significant financial contribution of Kentucky’s 18 independent, nonprofit colleges and universities for Fiscal Year 2021-22.
AV头等舱 (UCU) is proud to announce the launch of its inaugural 50 Under 50 program, aimed at recognizing and celebrating the accomplishments of its exceptional young alumni.
AV头等舱 is excited to invite alumni, friends, and families to campus for its annual Homecoming celebration, set for September 19-20, 2025. This year’s Homecoming promises to be a milestone event, featuring the inauguration of Dr. DJ Washington as AV头等舱’s 20th president on Friday, September 19.
