Congratulations to these members of the NIU College of Education family!
Peter Chomentowski, associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, has been named the 2024-25 Provost Fellow in Faculty Affairs.
This program is designed for faculty members interested in exploring leadership and administrative roles. Provost Fellows will become more familiar with university-level decision-making and campus-wide initiatives while gaining a more expansive range of leadership.
Chomentowski, who came to NIU in 2014, served as president of the NIU Faculty Senate and chair of the University Council from 2021 to 2022.
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Nicholas Grahovec, assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education and Athletic Training program director, has received the 2024 Emerging Educator Award from the Professional Education Committee of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association.
The award is given to an individual who is an up-and-coming athletic training educator and has demonstrated excellence in values toward education and teaching abilities. The recipient excels in delivering and promoting athletic training education through various means at the local and regional levels.
Grahovec, who came to NIU in 2018 as a visiting assistant professor, will receive his honor June 27 during the 75th NATA Clinical Symposia and AT Expo in New Orleans.
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Teresa Wasonga, an NIU Distinguished Engagement Professor in the Department of Leadership, Educational Psychology and Foundations, was chosen to receive funding from the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program (CADFP) Advisory Council.
Her proposal was selected for support during an extremely competitive application cycle.
Wasonga sought CADFP’s backing to share her experiences with the Kenyan education system as it transitions to Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) and while universities are beginning to develop curriculum for teachers and school leaders who will implement CBC.
“My experiences would have a significant impact on the development and alignment of teacher and school leader preparation curriculum that is rigorous, relevant, appropriate and responsive to the needs of the country,” Wasonga wrote to CADFP. “At this critical time when changes in the
education system are in process, it is important to get it right, and this starts with preparation of teachers and school leaders. Due to limited contextual empirical research done in Kenyan education system to draw from, this fellowship will provide an opportunity for incorporating different perspectives and immediate impact.”
Wasonga, who came to NIU in 2003, plans to share current competencies/standards, theories of leadership, pedagogical strategies and new and emerging trends in research and technologies in teacher preparation.
Do you have good news to share? Email us at ceduednews@niu.edu!
