John Brown University announced at a ceremony today the formation of
the College of Education. The new college brings JBU’s teacher education academic programs for traditional
undergrad, degree completion and graduate students under one organizational umbrella, said Dr. Ed Ericson,
vice president for academic affairs.
“This streamlined organization will not only help us be more effective as we are training future teachers, but it
will also better allow our teacher education programs to share their strengths for the benefit of our students,”
said Dr. Ericson.
Dr. Gloria Gale has been named associate dean and will serve as the head of the new college. Dr. Gale has served
as professor of education at JBU since 2000. Previously she was at Pentwater Schools in Pentwater, Michigan as
Library Media Specialist and taught for Graduate Education at Western Michigan University.
“The College of Education’s purpose is to encourage, energize, and further equip classroom teachers into
leadership roles,” said Dr. Gale. “We hope to enhance and increase partnerships with local and regional school
districts, working together to provide opportunities for observations, practicums, and internships.
And we want our students to extend the light of God through our graduates as they work in schools throughout
this region, nationally and around the world.”
The College of Education offers traditional undergraduate degrees in Secondary English Education, Secondary
Mathematics Education, Secondary Social Studies Education, Music Education and Early Childhood Education.
Through the degree completion program, for working adults with previous college credit, students can earn an
undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education. The new Graduate Teacher Education program offers
Masters’ Degrees in Curriculum and Instruction with concentrations in teacher leadership and TESOL.
The College of Education at John Brown University is approved by the Arkansas State Department of Education
and accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Education (NCATE). The College of Education
currently has an enrollment of more than 140 students.
John Brown University is a private Christian university, ranked first among Southern regional colleges by U.S.
News & World Report and is listed as one of America’s Best Colleges by Forbes. JBU enrolls more than 2,100
students from 41 states and 44 countries. JBU is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and
Universities.