On behalf of the faculty and staff, I am proud to welcome you to the School of Education and Human Services. I am honored to represent faculty, staff, and students who are truly committed to the Jesuit traditions of academic excellence, care for the individual, social justice, and leadership through service. These ideals are reflected in our programs and play a central role in our strategic planning and assessment processes.Academic excellence is demonstrated through accreditation and national recognition. In addition to accreditation by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education, many of our individual programs have been nationally recognized by specialized associations such as the National Council of Teachers of English, the International Reading Association, and the Council for Exceptional Children, to name a few. I invite you to investigate these organizations to better understand the critical role they play in insuring quality. Academic excellence is also confirmed by the performance of our students. For example, 99 % of our teacher candidates passed the written Assessment of Teaching Skills exam required by the New York State Education Department for certification.
The value of cura personalis, care for the individual, has long played an active and important role in the lives of members of the Canisius community. It requires that we think about, and respond to, each other as whole and complex individuals. We are each mind, body, and spirit. Each of us has important contributions to make to this world and it is incumbent upon each of us to assist in developing the gifts of all.
A commitment to social justice implies that we are moved to act to improve the lives and opportunities of those among us who are disadvantaged whether through lack of opportunity or education, or by social and economic barriers, As an educational institution in an urban community, we recognize and welcome the challenges inherent in that role and hope to serve as change agents for positive progress.
Members of our community have myriad opportunities to lead through service. In addition to traditional opportunities to lead student organizations, we expect students and faculty to be involved in professional organizations, and to participate in service learning activities incorporated into courses. Through these experiences we see more clearly our own talents and the true value of our service leadership.
I am very pleased you have found Canisius College and welcome you to join us as you pursue your personal and professional goals.
Sincerely,
Margaret McCarthy, Ph.D
Dean of the School of Education & Human Services