Objectives

• Support and engage in world-class research which cultivates and increases strengths-based, student-centered, just, and inclusive, education in our region and beyond.

  INITIATIVES	PROGRESS
  Build faculty grant-getting capacity by strengthening external partnerships and relationships with granting organizations (e.g., Spencer Foundation, National Science Foundation, William T. Grant Foundation; Irvine Foundation, UC Hellman Fellowship, California Endowment)	Major grant from Carnegie Corporation and Stuart Foundation                                Internal funding - $100K for the Inland Empire “Grow your Own” Education Leader Pathway and $2500 for the Establishing the Inland Empire High-Needs Teacher Pipeline Collaborative
  Strengthen and lengthen doctoral student support
  Elevate and promote faculty research	The new podcast Education in motion features SOE faculty. The site includes Published Research page that is shared in the dean's newsletter. Rita Kohli was named editor of prestigious education journal. Raquel Rall was selected to participate in the Alliance Fellowship Program, and also launched a national center on higher education governance.
  Build adequate, integrated information sharing and reporting systems	Through the KEEP grant we are building better information sharing systems between K-12, CCC and UCR
  Design an Inland Area Education Researcher Consortium centered on the specific educational experiences, questions needs and challenges of the inland valley

   

• Develop and support future educators, administrators, policymakers, researchers, and leaders across the K-20 education system who implement socially just, evidence-driven, and culturally sustaining principles and practices in their work.

  INITIATIVES	PROGRESS
  Conduct systematic UG & Grad program and course offering review
  Respond to the region and state’s need for early (PK-3) childhood educators and education specialists
  Respond to the increasing need for mental health educators and professionals- particularly those from communities typically under-served in mental health	School Psychology Program receives funding in effort to close the racial diversity gap
  Respond to the region and state’s needs for an increase in numbers of educators of color
  Respond to the need for greater university access and success for minoritized K-12 students in the region
  Increase student participation in national educator/educator researcher fellowship programs

• Systematically develop SOE resources related to practice-based inclusion and equity. Partner with systematically marginalized communities, building upon their strengths to increase educational opportunities and life chances for children and families.

  INITIATIVES	PROGRESS
  Build needs-based partnerships with 2-3 key schools/districts and/or Education non-profit/community based organizations	Held first commencement ceremony with San Bernardino City Unified School District celebrating 9 residency program graduates. Michael Solis participated in a statewide collaborative to improve literacy.  Held first UCR commencement inside a prison for 11 incarcerated students through our UCR LIFTED program.
  Build a culturally responsive/community embedded STEM Education & Equity Initiative	The Summer STEAM Academy continues to draw more middle school students.
  Increase the number of cross-unit and signature SOE events to build community and break silos	Worked with the Music Department (Xochital Chavez) to present Contemporary Codices: Picture Books and Social Justice at the UCR Alumni and Visitors Center.

• Embark on a campaign of strategic philanthropy tailored to the educator-alum.

  INITIATIVES	PROGRESS
  Elevate and expand alum awards programs	2026 Alumni Excellence Awards
  Create campaign tailored to increasing the giving of Teacher-Education alum, UG Majors & MA and Doctoral students focused on participation rates vs. dollar amount	Ofelia Valdez-Yeager Teacher Education Award

• Improve facility and facility usage and formalize systems and processes with the goal of greater equity and mission actualization.

  INITIATIVES	PROGRESS
  Beautify and update current space	Duncan Tonatiuh mural in Sproul 1357
  Reassess current space usage and reorganize in alignment with current needs
  Systematize processes
  Provide support for faculty in administrative roles