Greetings,

The Fall semester has come to a close, and Fayetteville State University’s College of Education (COE) proudly reflects on a term marked by purpose and impact. As you explore this issue, we invite you to engage with the stories, highlights, and accomplishments featured in the newsletter and to join us in celebrating the College of Education's lasting impact. 

The COE welcomed new faculty and staff who will further advance the College’s mission. Throughout the semester, COE students extended their learning far beyond the classroom. They attended professional conferences, engaged with practitioners, and explored career pathways. 

The COE demonstrated its commitment to excellence in education and civic engagement during American Education Week (AEW), featuring student-centered programs and creative opportunities that fostered fun and fellowship. Together, these efforts reflected the College’s dedication to building community and preparing proud facilitators of learning.

Finally, we honor the Fall Class of 2025. Graduation marked the culmination of a semester defined by growth, service, and leadership—and the beginning of new journeys for our graduates as educators, administrators, advocates, and change agents. We invite you to share in the successes that defined this meaningful academic period!

Yours in Education, 

Dr. Chandrika Johnson, Dean College of Education

American Education Week 2025 at Fayetteville State University celebrated the theme Together for Safe, Just & Equitable Schools, recognizing the efforts of educators and support professionals who help students and families thrive. 

American Education Week highlighted powerful voices and educational leadership. The C.I. Brown Lecture featured guest speaker Dr. Kamal Watkins, school principal in Cumberland County,  who delivered an inspiring message on equity, justice, and the transformative impact of education. The program recognized North Carolina Teaching Fellows for their commitment to the teaching profession. Ariauna Chandler, a student, advocate, Army veteran, and proud mother, shared reflections on educational equity, service-learning, and internships. In addition, the Beginning Teachers Workshop, led by Ashley Peterson, Beginning Teacher Support Facilitator, focused on mentorship, instructional support, and strategies to strengthen teacher retention.

Additional activities included Support Professionals Day; recruitment events; read-alouds at local schools and the FSU Reading Clinic; appreciation activities for administrative staff; a vision board session; and an Education and Ethics Workshop led by Ruben Reyes, Associate Superintendent for Human Resources at Cumberland County Schools. The College of Education and the HPSE faculty led a meaningful service project—a campus-wide food drive. The celebration concluded with a Dream Schools poster contest and attendance at the FSU Women’s basketball game.

Fayetteville State University has appointed Sonja M. Brown, Ph.D., as Interim Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, effective January 1, 2026, as the university prepares for a national search for the permanent role. Dr. Brown will oversee the university’s four colleges, faculty affairs, the Charles W. Chestnutt Library, and offices supporting research, institutional effectiveness, and sponsored programs. Her appointment follows the retirement of Monica Terrell Leach, Ed.D., on December 31, 2025, after more than four years of service. Dr. Brown brings a strong record of leadership, scholarship, and service focused on access, excellence, and innovation. Join us in extending a warm welcome to Dr. Brown!

The College of Education proudly celebrates its December graduates, recognizing 6 doctoral, 5 master’s, and 27 undergraduate students. Founded as a teaching college for Black students, Fayetteville State University’s legacy lives on through your commitment to service and excellence. As you move into the next chapter of your careers and lives, you will serve as excellent facilitators of learning and community engagement—as public health professionals, sport management leaders, teachers, and administrators—carrying forward the Bronco spirit and the proud legacy of FSU.

Watch the 2025 Winter Commencement

Public Health Students Attend Statewide Conferences
Dr. Melissa Haithcox-Dennis accompanied 5 public health students at the 10th Annual NC BREATHE Conference. The students presented projects and spoke on a panel discussion. Additionally, 12 students attended the NC SOPHE conference in Durham. Students gained professional networking and presentation skills that are needed for successful careers in public health.

Take Me Out to the Ballpark!
Sport Management students, led by Dr. Kendra Hancock, visited the Crown Complex and Segra Stadium, home of the Fayetteville Woodpeckers.

Students explored event spaces and facilities, gained insights into advertising, facility maintenance, and minor league baseball operations, preparing them for future careers in sport and fitness management.

Education Students  Represented at Statewide Conference. 

Members of the Future Educators Club/Student North Carolina Association of Educators (FEC/SNCAE) and their advisor, Dr. Reeshemah Johnson, attended the state SNCAE Fall Leadership Forum. The students networked and attended various sessions. Several students serve in state-level leadership roles, reinforcing FEC/SNCAE’s impact at both the campus and state levels. 

The N.C. Teaching Fellows program is a competitive, merit-based forgivable loans program that provides up to $5,000 a semester ($10,000 a year) for up to four years to highly-qualified students in special education, elementary (K-6), or STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics).  We welcome our NC Teaching Fellows: Tristan Bellamy, Jamari Cradle, Kaylan Gaines, Markeshia Gore, Raiona Griffin, Akeelah Johnson, Justin Louis, Jaylene Maldonado, Harry Miller, Ellis “Trey” Nunnery, Fabiola Espinoza Ogaji, Alaiyah Pate, Woodlyne Pierre, Juan Pimental, Ya'Nara Sanders, Quaveon Richardson, Sheronda Rone, Keisha Singletary, and Shyla Young.

The College of Education will launch a new bachelor’s degree in special education to expand undergraduate offerings and strengthen the preparation of future educators in North Carolina.

Special education remains one of the state’s highest-need teaching areas, with persistent vacancies in Exceptional Children positions across school systems, according to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. The program addresses this need by offering K–12 licensure through focused coursework and hands-on experience in diverse school settings. The first cohort will begin in fall 2026.

In December, Dr. Catherine Barrett and Dr. Christy Thomas received a $125,000 Title III grant to support the College of Education’s Reading Clinic. This funding strengthens the clinic’s new operational model by compensating licensed teachers as tutors. Together, they provide literacy tutoring for children and design and lead family literacy workshops. Student tutors receive compensation for their work while gaining hands-on experience alongside licensed teachers who apply Science of Reading principles in today’s classrooms. The grant will also support a Summer Reading Camp in 2026.

Drs. Christy L. Thomas, Kimberly Smith-Burton, Jocelyn Smith, and Ms. Tiffany Quick published READy (Reading, Enrichment, Achievement, Discovery) Explorers’ Camp: A Collaborative Summer Intervention to Strengthen Literacy and Academic Engagement in Elementary Students in the International Journal of Education and Social Science.

Dr. Charles Olomofe published two manuscripts: The Impact of a Student-Developed, Student-Marketed, Student-Implemented, and Student-led 8-week health and wellness program on faculty and staff participation, consistency in Frontiers in Public Health, and Exploring the Predictors of COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake Among People Living with HIV/AIDS in Tennessee, in Discover Public Health. 

Drs. Melissa Haithcox-Dennis, Mariza Hunter, and Derrick Bullard published From Marketplace to Classroom: The Quality of Health Education Lessons on Teachers Pay Teachers, in the Journal on School Educational Technology.

Drs. Reeshemah Johnson, Christy Thomas, and Catherine Barrett published a research article in the Journal of Educational Psychology titled Using Reading and Digital Detox to Promote Social and Emotional Health. 

COE Fall Highlights

The College of Education welcomed three new faculty members: Dr. Charles Olomofe, Assistant Professor of Public Health, and Dr. Sean Baldwin, Assistant Professor of Sport Management, whose teaching and research expertise will strengthen interdisciplinary learning and student engagement. The College also welcomes Dr. Antonio Jackson as Chair of Educational Leadership, bringing extensive leadership experience and a strong commitment to advancing graduate programs, faculty development, and community partnerships. 

The COE also welcomed Tiffany Quick, Professional Development  Schools Coordinator and MAT Advisor for the College of Education. Tiffany holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from Fayetteville State University. Her expertise is in educator preparation, student success, and building strong partnerships across the education community. Tiffany White is the Director of Teacher Education. She is a seasoned classroom teacher, adjunct professor, instructional coach, and district coordinator, specializing in instructional leadership, educator development, and curriculum planning. 

We welcome these outstanding faculty and staff and look forward to working with them!

COE Faculty, Staff and Students On the Move

 • Dr. Olomofe (Public Health) represented FSU at the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Faculty Research Seminar in Washington, D.C. which focused on strengthening skills to support institutional research capacity and funding competitiveness.

• Dr. Jackson (Educational Leadership and School Administration) visited Lewis Chapel Middle School to share information about COE graduate programs.

• Drs. Catherine Barrett, Christy L. Thomas, and Cheryl Horton co-presented “Effective edTPA Preparation: Course/Assessment Alignment to Support Candidates” at the NC edTPA Regional Conference at UNC Pembroke. 

• Dr. Kimberly Smith-Burton and Joshua Sawyer, 6th-grade math teacher at Elizabeth City Middle School, presented “From Arithmetic to Algebraic: Developing a Mindset Shift to Support Algebraic Thinking," at the 2025 NCCTM Annual State Conference.

• Three MEd STEM HBCU STEM Scholars graduates are advancing STEM education through Fayetteville State University. Their success reflects the College of Education’s commitment to preparing educators ready to lead and inspire. Left to right: Tamara Lewis-Christian (MEd MG Science), Simone Brown (MEd Middle Grades Math), Jalenne Lawson-Wilkins (MEd Middle Grades Math), and Dr. Kimberly Smith-Burton. 

• The STRIDE student organization (Advisors - Drs. Derrick Bullard and Kendra Hancock) and FEC/SNCAE coordinated coat drives for children at the FSU Early Childhood Center, collecting 35 coats.

 • The Future Educators Club/Student North Carolina Association of Educators (FEC/SNCAE) (Advisors- Dr. Reeshemah Johnson, Ms. Beverley Lammie, and Dr. Konova Leak) hosted a range of activities, including the “Pink Out” breast cancer event, the Pie N Dump fundraiser, and the Chalk Walk. They participated in Fall Preview and A.U.T.O.S. Trunk or Treat and volunteered to read at the Early Childhood Center.

 • Mrs. Teresita Bravo received a Bronco Kudos nomination for her outstanding service and continued dedication to the College of Education.

The College of Education honors the memories of Drs. Ernest Barnett, Ted Kaniuka, and Bertha Miller.

Dr. Ernest Barnett was an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle Grades, Reading, and Special Education. Dr. Barnett is remembered for his academic contributions and impact on students and colleagues, leaving a legacy of intellect and dedication to education.

Dr. Ted Kaniuka served 18 years in the Department of Educational Leadership, teaching his favorite subject, statistics, and guiding many students in completing their dissertations. He is remembered for his academic excellence and dedication, which inspired students and colleagues alike. 

Dr. Bertha Miller served in many roles at FSU, including as Dean of the School of Education. She was widely respected for her collaborative leadership and her belief that everyone at FSU shares responsibility for helping students reach their full potential. She will be fondly remembered for her positive influence on students and colleagues.

Contact the College of Education

coe@uncfsu.edu

COE Website

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910.672.1181

 

 

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