New President

 

Jonathan A. Kaplan, J.D., leverages his five years of leadership at Walden as the new president of the university. Kaplan was the unanimous choice of the Walden Board of Directors.

 

His global perspective on higher education will help support the continued internationalization of Walden and its programs, while he advances Walden’s mission of broad access to higher education, professional excellence, and effecting positive social change. Kaplan assumes the leadership position from Dr. Paula Peinovich, who stepped down as Walden’s president in May.

 

A former economic policy advisor to President Bill Clinton, Kaplan has a career that spans senior positions in public policy and government at the local, state, and federal levels. He graduated cum laude from Harvard College with a Bachelor of Arts in government and received his Juris Doctor from Boston University School of Law, where he served as an editor of the Boston University Law Review.

 

 

 

Newsweek Forum on Classroom Technology

 

“Wireless and Well Prepared: The E-mergence of Technology in the Classroom,” a Newsweek Executive Forum co-presented by Walden University in November at the National Press Club inWashington, D.C., created an engaging discussion among a highpowered panel: The Hon. Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Senator, D-Minnesota; Member, Subcommittee on Science, Technology and Innovation Dr. David Thornburg, Director, Global Operations, The Thornburg Center; Faculty Member, Walden University Walter Bender, President of Software and Content, One Laptop per Child Foundation Mary Cullinane, Director, U.S. Partners in Learning, Microsoft Corp.     View the archived webcast.

 

 

Residency Documentary

 

A new documentary from Walden University provides current and potential doctoral students fresh insights into the learning experiences of a Ph.D. student, and asks them to imagine what the future might hold with a Walden doctorate. Viewers hear firsthand from Walden students and faculty regarding the power of the Walden doctoral experience, in particular the value found in Walden’s four residency milestones. Held in cities throughout the nation and around the world, these residencies are designed to help support and motivate students from their initial learning agreement through their dissertation.

 

 

 

Four-Year Bachelor's Program

 

More adult learners will have the opportunity to move forward in their careers and on the path to lifelong learning now that Walden University offers a full, four-year B.S. in Business Administration program. The bachelor’s program is specifically designed for motivated professionals with career experience. With courses in Ethical Leadership and Social Responsibility, the B.S. in Business Administration program puts learners on the path to making important and responsible contributions to their organizations and communities. The program is also designed to prepare graduates for Walden’s master’s and doctoral programs, where they can fully realize their personal and professional potential and become even more effective agents of social change.

 

 

Enhancing the Future of Education

 

As our nation’s classrooms face significant challenges due to a growing student population and an unprecedented retirement rate of veteran educators, Walden University is making a difference in the field of education.

 

With over 14,000 students in its education programs, Walden is already a leader in K–12 and higher education. Over the last few months, Walden has achieved a number of milestones that position it to assume an even greater leadership role in education. These achievements include the creation of a teacher preparation program designed to help more working professionals begin a second career in teaching, the naming of Walden’s College of Education, and the launch of a Newsweek executive forum.

 

A Gateway to Teaching

 

Walden is advancing the education field through the launch of state-approved teacher preparation programs. Designed for working professionals with a bachelor’s degree and an interest in teaching, this practical online program combines virtual and actual field experiences that allow students to gain confidence and apply their knowledge immediately in an educational setting with the flexibility of a distance-delivery format. Students have the option to earn a master’s degree with just two additional courses. Areas include:

• Post-Baccalaureate Program in Early Childhood Education (Birth–Grade 3)
  
  
• Post-Baccalaureate Program in Special Education, Emotional/Behavioral Disorders (K–12)
  
  
• Post-Baccalaureate Program in Special Education, Learning Disabilities (K–12)

If you know of a colleague, family member, or friend who has expressed interest in a career change to education, encourage them to visit www.WaldenU.edu/teacherprep.

 

New Name, New Opportunities

 

Walden recently announced a new naming of its College of Education in honor of former U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley. The new name, The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership at Walden University, will continue to support the educational needs of working professionals today and help nurture the next generation of educators.

 

“Walden is honored to name its College of Education after Secretary Riley, an esteemed leader with an outstanding legacy of improving access to education. His tireless commitment to all students and his focus on diversity in education are ideals shared by our university as well as by our students and graduates as they use their degrees to make a real difference in their communities,” said Jonathan A. Kaplan, J.D., president of Walden University.

 

Prior to serving two terms as Secretary of Education under President Clinton (from 1993–2001), Riley was the governor of South Carolina. He is widely recognized for his commitment to children and passion for education. Among other current roles, he serves as co-chairman of the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing every child with competent and caring teachers.

 

Riley recently addressed Walden’s first Class of 2007 as the university’s commencement speaker. During the ceremony, he also received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in recognition of his contributions to education.

 

Advancing the Teaching Profession 

 

True to its mission of effecting positive social change, Walden recently co-sponsored a Newsweek executive forum on the topic of “Wireless and Well Prepared: The E-mergence of Technology in the Classroom” at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Attended by more than 185 educators and watched online by hundreds more across the globe, the forum brought together respected thought leaders in technology and education, including Walter Bender of the One Laptop Per Child Foundation, Mary Cullinane of Microsoft Corp., U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Dr. David Thornburg, director of global operations for The Thornburg Center and a Walden education faculty member. Topics ranged from the evolving nature of technology and its impact on education to the growing need to nurture the nation’s next generation of scientists and engineers.

 

“I think education is one of those unique social opportunities where the ‘we’ truly is everyone,” Cullinane remarked. Added Thornburg: “We need to have leadership who use the bully pulpit to help this country get its imagination back … and to hold our feet to the fire so that we all are focused on this issue of education.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lifelong Learner? Get Lifelong Support.

 

Walden awarded more than $3 million in scholarships for the fall 2007 term, reinforcing the university’s commitment to assisting lifelong learners.

 

Scholarships based on accomplishments or financial need are still available for alumni and new students:

• Bachelor’s Studies Scholarship This need-based scholarship offers $1,000 per financial aid award year.
• Commitment to Social Change Scholarship Students dedicated to effecting social change are eligible for one of six $2,500 master’s scholarships or six $5,000 and two $25,000 doctoral scholarships.
• Doctoral Studies Scholarship This need-based scholarship offers $2,000 per financial aid award year.
• Master’s Studies Scholarship (M.S. in Education) This need-based scholarship offers $1,000 per financial aid award year.
• Post-Doctoral Studies Scholarship This need-based scholarship offers $2,000 per financial aid award year for Post-Doctoral Psychology Certificate students.

 

New Online Journal

 

 

 

The Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences is the latest academic journal to be sponsored by Walden University. Launched in December 2007, the online, peer-reviewed publication offers Walden faculty, students, and alumni an opportunity to be published and to stay current in these distinct, yet connected, disciplines.

 

The goal of the journal is threefold: to encourage dialogue between scholars and practitioners; to promote interdisciplinary collaboration among the social, behavioral, and health sciences; and to foster the relationship between practice and research.

 

Dr. George Smeaton, executive director of Walden’s Center for Research Support, serves as editor.

 

“We believe that the Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences can provide new ways of addressing complex social problems,” Smeaton said.

 

 

National Day of Service

 

Walden celebrated its second annual National Day of Service on Oct. 6, 2007, as countless students, faculty, alumni, administration, and staff participated in community service projects hosted in 12 cities across the country.

 

From helping to restore the historic Clifton Mansion in Baltimore and repairing a hurricane-damaged home in New Orleans to harvesting produce for food pantries in Denver and cooking meals for the homeless in Los Angeles, members of the Walden community donated their time and talents to make a positive difference in their local neighborhoods.

 

“I was raised to contribute to other people,” said Ann Byerly, a Ph.D. in Public Health student who served as the volunteer team leader for the Rebuilding New Orleans project held in partnership with the Louisiana Peace Corps Association. “Walden encourages community involvement to create social change. Therefore, contributing as a volunteer only enhances the Walden academic experience.”

 

Organizations that partnered with Walden as part of the National Day of Service included:

• Hands On Atlanta
• Civic Works in Baltimore
• COMPA Food Ministry in Denver
• Bridging Communities in Detroit
• HOPE Worldwide in Jacksonville, Fla.
• Opportunity Village in Las Vegas
• People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) in Los Angeles
• People Serving People (PSP) in Minneapolis
• Louisiana Peace Corps Association in New Orleans
• St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance in Phoenix
• Safe Shelter in Savannah, Ga.
• Community for Creative Non-Violence in Washington, D.C.

 

Walden thanks all of those who volunteered during the National Day of Service and who contribute to their communities all year long.

 

 

 

 

 

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