Welcome Students to National Session 2008

Message from Dean, Judy Witt

Dear Colleagues,

Making a difference has been the watchword of the ELC community since our inception some 12 years ago. We care about our world, our work and the difference we are making for social justice and equity for all. Not only do we strive to impact the lives of individuals, but also the educational and social systems in which those individuals live, learn and work. Consistently, students and alumni report to me the importance of the National Session to their life long learning and their daily work, as well as to their progress in the ELC EdD program.

The ELC National Session is an opportunity for us to come together as a community to learn how to pursue our vision. This year’s theme - ELC in Atlanta: Growing Social Justice – is especially poignant. We are thrilled to be in Georgia where we have over 50 graduates. Eleven years ago the first cohort of ELC students was initiated in Savannah, Georgia. Now with nearly 300 students enrolled and 300 alumni worldwide, ELC is pleased to bring this National Session to Atlanta, Georgia.

I am proud to announce that the keynote presentation will feature a panel of our own ELC faculty members: Gloria J. Willingham-Toure’, PhD; Lenneal Henderson PhD; and Kitty Kelly-Epstein PhD with the keynote address, Growing Social Justice: Fielding Faculty Reflections on Scholar-Practitioner Experiences While in Post-Apartheid South Africa. This innovative panel will explore issues related to scholar-practitioner roles and learning opportunities as experienced by them while in post-apartheid South Africa. We will journey with them to Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, and Qua Zulu; and to the historic townships of Guguletu, Soweto, and Lamsa as a part of mind, body, and spirit connections, coupled with social justice scholar-practitioner projects and opportunities. This presentation will stimulate conversations and research relative to international scholar-practitioner opportunities. Additionally, several new and engaging sessions have been added this year, as well as opportunities to meet with fellow students, alumni, and faculty.

ELC alumni, this is a fabulous chance for you to reconnect with your friends, peers and the faculty. Support workshop co-presenters Diana Waters, ELC ’04 and Sarah MacDougall, ELC ‘05, and William M. White, ELC ’01 who will be co-presenting with Charles H. Polk, EdD, President of Mountain State University, West Virginia. Celebrate and welcome the new graduates into the Fielding Alumni Network, and enjoy a night on the town with other alumni.

I encourage you to join us at the Hyatt Regency. I look forward to each of the presentations and to seeing each of you this summer in Atlanta!

Take care,

Judy Witt
Dean, School of Educational Leadership and Change

Message from the National Session Planning Team 2008
Hello Everyone,

The national session planning team welcomes and invites your attendance at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Atlanta, Georgia for the ELC annual summer national session.

The team, along with faculty and alumni, has courageously undertaken the task of constructing and planning for what will be a most enlightened, engrossing and exhilarating series of workshops, community meetings, student leadership activities, alumni special sessions, our famous silent auction, and culminating in very exciting graduation exercises.

This is truly one of the most “fun-in-learning” activities of the year. Ever wonder who all these students are who make up ELC? Come along and find out! Ever wonder who the faculty are who make up ELC? Come along and find out! Ever wonder how to analyze all this data you are accumulating? Come along and find out! Ever wonder what a Final Oral Review (FOR) is like? Come along and find out? And, bring your incredible talent with you for the greatest talent night since American Idol. We have everything. Look us over and tell us that you are not interested – we dare you!

You will also love Atlanta with its wonderful attractions - attractions for the entire family from the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, the Georgia Aquarium, the Zoo and the History Center; and for you media buffs, CNN offers a tour of their Atlanta studio.

Your next step is to register and prepare for an awesome week of astonishment, amazement, and admiration.

See you in Atlanta!

National Session Planning Team, 2008