College of Education News

Archives for July 2021

The College of Education welcomes Dr. Marjorie Shavers

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Dr. Marjorie Shavers will join Missouri State University’s College of Education this fall as the department head of counseling, leadership and special education (CLSE). 

Shavers became interested in the position after reading that MSU was recently ranked among the top 10 universities for students with disabilities.  

“I think that speaks strongly to what is at the core of the institution,” Shavers said. “My son has Down syndrome so that was really important to me, knowing there’s a program for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities.”  

As she went through the interview process, she began to feel like she had the right skills to contribute to the program.  

“I could see myself fitting here,” Shavers said. “I’m really looking forward to getting to know the different people in the department and across campus.” 

Taking the next step 

Shavers is a licensed clinical mental health counselor and school counselor. She began her career working at an elementary school.  

Over time, she gained experience working as a professor, clinical director and, most recently, as the senior leader for graduate programs for Heidelberg University in Ohio. 

The past year has been difficult for everyone, but the struggle allowed Shavers to discover her strength as a leader.   

“As a counselor, I have a unique ability to tap into dynamics in a way that you don’t see as often,” Shavers said. “I think I have something I can offer in this space, so I started to look toward leadership opportunities.” 

There’s no question that leadership roles come with unique challenges, but Shavers is no stranger to putting in the work.  

Before having her son, she ran several half-marathons and is now getting back to running. 

“There’s something about being really disciplined about something that makes you feel powerful,” Shavers said.  

Becoming a Bear 

Moving from Ohio to Missouri is quite the ordeal, but Shavers is excited to explore the Ozarks.  

“I know the Ozarks and Springfield have a ton of history,” Shavers said. “I like to learn the history of things, so I’m looking forward to getting to know a new city.” 

An avid sports fan, Shavers is also looking forward to attending sporting events on campus and teaching her son to cheer for the Bears. 

Shavers will begin her position at MSU Aug. 1.  

Welcome, Dr. Shavers!  

Filling in the gaps of technology education in our community

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With technology becoming a vital part of our day-to-day lives, it is easy to take basic tech skills for granted.  

Earlier this year, students in Missouri State University’s College of Business identified the need for basic technology skills and access for women who were recently out of situations of domestic abuse.  

Now, Annice McLean and Dr. Ching-wen Chang, faculty in Missouri State’s department of reading, foundations and technology (RFT) in the College of Education, are volunteering their time to help women gain the skills they need to get back on their feet.  

Acknowledging a need 

The project began as an assignment for MGT 440, leadership and development skills: identify a need in the community and offer a solution.  

The students focused their problem-solving skills on safe houses, or places women find shelter and support after leaving a domestic abuse situation.  

“What this project determined is that there was a gap in access to and use of technology,” McLean said. “This can be a hindrance to women finding gainful employment and pursuing further education.”  

Finding volunteers 

Van Oswald, one of the students on the project, reached out to the RFT department, hoping they could volunteer their time to provide technology education to women in need.   

McLean and Chang were some of the first faculty members who became aware of this project.  

As they met with the safe house coordinator, they realized the necessity to limit the number of people involved to maintain confidentiality for the women in the safe house.  

“We were excited about it and thought it was definitely a need. So, we volunteered to be part of the project,” McLean said.  

A unique curriculum 

The course that McLean and Chang are offering to the women is different from your typical introductory computer course.  

“The goal was to design a course that meets the needs and goals of individuals,” McLean said. 

The two teachers started with a list of basic information they thought would be relevant to anyone new to computers.  

As they began meeting, they gained a better understanding of the specific needs of each woman.  

“It could be anything from email, how to do a Zoom meeting, how to online shop or lessons on security,” McLean said. “It could even be about using online games to help reduce stress or accessing homework sites to help kids with online learning.”  

The best thing they could do was create a flexible plan that could help each woman reach her goals.  

“They just want something relevant to them – they need to find a job, finish school or manage their online banking,” Chang said. “So, we change the curriculum to help them do what they want to do.”  

Teaching and learning  

McLean and Chang use technology quite frequently in their work, but they could still relate with the struggle of learning new technology. “I think back to the first time I was going to have a Zoom meeting,” McLean said. “I was fearful it wasn’t going to work.”  

Having worked with the women several times throughout the semester, McLean and Chang felt everyone took something away from the lessons.  

“I felt like we helped the ladies. I also felt like I gained something from them as well – an appreciation of their attitudes and positivity,” McLean said.  

Inspiring awareness  

McLean and Chang hope that what they have started won’t end here.  

“I think our ultimate goal is to make it more seamless for the ladies – more convenient for them and their schedules,” McLean said. 

In the future, they hope to be able to provide more permanent access to computers and the internet. So far, they have been borrowing Chromebooks from the university for each session.  

“When we finish the class, we leave with the Chromebooks,” Chang said. “But hopefully, if this goes on, we may be able to work on a grant to buy some.” 

They also hope that their work will bring more awareness to others who may be struggling with access to technology or technological skills.  

“Maybe if other people hear about this, they will contact us, and we could set up some other opportunities for something similar,” McLean said. 

Contact Dr. Ching-wen Chang for more information.    

Contact Annice McLean for more information.