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August Leadership Council minutes

Visit our website to access the agenda and minutes from the August Leadership Council meeting.

Fall 2026 reminders: Academic program assessment, Xitracs reporting

Assessment reporting

As you know, per Academic Policy 01.06.003 Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes, each academic program must submit an annual report on learning outcomes assessment (LOA). The deadline for reporting 2025–26 program assessment via Xitracs is Thursday, Oct. 1.

For the Mary Frances Early College of Education, the annual Xitracs Student Learning Outcomes report is required for degree programs and certificates; minors and endorsements are not included in this annual reporting requirement. Each program is required to report on two or more learning outcomes. Programs are especially encouraged to document changes or improvements made (or upcoming) based on assessment results.

If your program needs data or information from the College’s Office of Academic Programs to complete its assessment report, please submit data requests as soon as possible and no later than Tuesday, Sept. 15. This will allow sufficient time to review and incorporate the information before the October 1 reporting deadline.

Please also note that GaPSC-approved educator preparation programs have an additional Program Key Assessment (PKA) reporting process. PKA reporting is separate from the annual UGA Xitracs Student Learning Outcomes report and is required for programs approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.

New programs for fall 2026 are not expected to have assessment data but should upload student learning outcomes into Xitracs.

Resources and guidance from UGA’s Office of Instruction

The UGA Academic Program Assessment website contains helpful resources, templates, and tutorials, including Xitracs step-by-step instructions. Review the “Reporting” and “Resources” tabs for pertinent information. For additional comprehensive resources and guidance, visit the Assessment Resources eLC course.

New this fall: Central UGA Assessment drop-in hours

Sometimes in-person conversation is more helpful than email exchanges. The UGA Office of Instruction is offering assessment drop-in hours for faculty and staff who would like to discuss their program assessment practice. No appointment is needed.

Drop-in hours will be held in Sanford Hall Room 220 during the following times:

Excellence in Academic Program Assessment Award

As part of the annual reporting process, we invite self-nominations for the Excellence in Academic Program Assessment Award offered by the Office of Instruction. More information, including eligibility and award criteria, can be found on the award webpage. The best part? Your Xitracs report can serve as submission material—no additional nomination letter needed!

College of Education assessment support

In addition to the central UGA resources above, the Mary Frances Early College of Education Office of Academic Programs is available to provide individualized assessment assistance by appointment. Please reach out to our office if you would like to discuss your program’s learning outcomes, assessment measures, data, Xitracs report, or plans for using assessment results to support program improvement.

College faculty and staff who have questions or need assistance may schedule an appointment with the College’s director of assessment, Kellie Templeman, for individualized assistance.

Get your flu shot in Aderhold Hall on Oct. 1

Date: Thursday, Oct. 1
Time: 3-5 p.m.
Location: Aderhold Hall Room G23

Flu shots will be available in Aderhold Hall on Thursday, Oct. 1. No reservations needed. All appointments are walk-ins and will be treated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Emergency funding available to student teachers

The Abigail Reddic Student Teaching Emergency Fund was created to provide a safety net for current Mary Frances Early College of Education student teachers in their time of need. As you communicate with student teachers, please share this information with them. This funding is only available to students during their student teaching semester who need emergency funding to assist with expenses.

Please visit the fund webpage to learn more and apply. Funds are available in the fall and spring.

Have questions? Please contact Rebekah Seabolt, associate director of stewardship.

Attend Abbie DeLoach Lecture Series on Sept. 30

Date: Wednesday, Sept. 3o
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Location: Lamar Dodd School of Art, Room S151
Speaker: Erika Rees-Punia (Ph.D. ’18), senior principal scientist, Department of Population Science, American Cancer Society
RSVP by Monday, Sept. 28

You are invited to the UGA Mary Frances Early College of Education Department of Kinesiology’s Abbie DeLoach Lecture Series featuring distinguished alumna Erika Rees-Punia (Ph.D. ’18), senior principal scientist in the Department of Population Science at the American Cancer Society. Rees-Punia will be speaking on “From Movement to Meaning: Improving Lives Across the Cancer Continuum.” The Michael E. Penland Family Scholarships and reception will immediately follow the lecture.

The presentation will provide an overview of Rees-Punia’s research using large cohort studies linked with healthcare claims data to examine whether physical activity after a cancer diagnosis can reduce symptoms, long-term side effects, and other serious burdens of cancer and its treatments, such as bone fractures, cardiovascular disease, poor mobility, pain, high healthcare costs, and hospitalizations.

About the speaker

Erika Rees-Punia, Ph.D., MPH, FACSM, is a senior principal scientist in the Department of Population Science at the American Cancer Society in Atlanta, Georgia. Erika has a background in exercise physiology and conducts epidemiologic research on the promotion and benefits of physical activity in cancer survivors.

Erika also serves as an associate editor for the British Journal of Sports Medicine and a senior associate editor for the Journal of Physical Activity and Health. She was also a part of the scientific committee for the 2022 American Cancer Society Nutrition and Physical Activity Guideline for Cancer Survivors and is a member of and Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine.

Erika earned her Ph.D. in kinesiology from the University of Georgia and her MPH from Emory University. She lives in Evanston, Illinois, with her spouse and two kids. When she is not working, she likes engaging in high-intensity interval training, reading to her kids, and spending time at Lake Michigan.

About the lecture

Abbie Lorene DeLoach (February 2, 1994-April 22, 2015) was dearly loved by all those who knew her. A graduate of Savannah Christian Preparatory School in 2012, Abbie was an excellent student and athlete. During her tenure in high school, she lettered in basketball, volleyball, and track. While her athletic prowess was strong, it was her leadership on the court and as part of the team that made her outstanding.

Dedicated to succeeding in all that she did, Abbie believed in making those around her believe in themselves. This work ethic continued as Abbie went off to college at Georgia Southern University where she was in the nursing program. A devoted student and friend, she excelled in her calling as a nurse. Not only did her love of learning further her studies, but it was also her love of the Lord that deepened her satisfaction of serving others.

The Abbie DeLoach Foundation continues the good work Abbie started, partnering with organizations closest to her heart to give scholarships and support worldwide missions. In 2018, Abbie’s father, Jimmy DeLoach (B.S.Ed. ’82), established the Abbie DeLoach Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship through the foundation.

Register for the Mary Frances Early College of Education Homecoming Tailgate

Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
Time: Three hours before kickoff
Location: Head Terrace outside the Zell B. Miller Learning Center

Join Dean Denise Spangler at the Jacqueline and John Head Terrace outside the Zell B. Miller Learning Center for Saucehouse BBQ, beverages, and pre-game fun!

Please register to purchase tailgate tickets by Monday, Sept. 28. Note that neither parking nor game tickets are provided. In the event of inclement weather, the tailgate will be canceled.

Mary Frances Early College of Education farewells

Best wishes to the following individuals who departed the College during the month of August:

Mariana Becker, assistant professor, Department of Educational Theory and Practice
Kerry Cohen, audiologist, Speech and Hearing Clinic
Karen Davis, executive assistant, Dean’s Office
Linda Harklau, professor, Department of Language and Literacy Education
Kimberly Viel-Ruma, clinical professor, Department of Communication Sciences and Special Education
Laurie Zielinski, co-director of academic advising, Office of Undergraduate Advising

Outreach: Going the extra mile to understand and serve Georgia

The New Faculty Tour is designed to introduce faculty to Georgia’s geography, demographics, economy, history, and culture while familiarizing them with UGA’s land-grant and sea-grant missions and longstanding commitment to serving the state. Coordinated by UGA Public Service and Outreach, the immersive experience takes faculty beyond Athens to meet the people and visit the communities, industries, and landscapes shaping Georgia.

Now in its 40th year, the New Faculty Tour has introduced nearly 1,680 faculty members to UGA’s statewide mission and helped spark research, teaching, and partnerships that continue to benefit Georgia.

This year, two faculty members from the Mary Frances Early College of Education attended the 2026 New Faculty Tour: Guher Gorgun, an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Psychology, and Gary Wright, an assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Education.

“It’s been a really unique opportunity to get to know the community that I’ll be serving in a way that I haven’t been able to in my previous position,” Wright said.

Read the full story on the UGA Public Service and Outreach website.