Tag: Fischler College of Education & School of Criminal Justice

Theresa West, Ed.D., is an educational leader, author, researcher, and speaker. West is a first-generation college graduate and is a force of passion, hard work, resilience, and goodwill. Her mother and grandmother were her biggest inspirations in pursuing her higher education degrees and pursuing a career in education. Without them, she wouldn’t be living her dreams. They taught her the importance of creating her own opportunities. Most importantly, they encouraged her to believe that she can do the impossible.

In 2019, she earned her Doctor of Education in Instructional Technology and Distance Education degree from the Abraham S. Fischer College of Education and School of Criminal Justice (FCE&SCJ) in 2019, and she also earned her Educational Specialist in Technology Management and Administration from FCE&SCJ in 2014.

West currently serves as the Business Technology Southern Region Chairperson within the Technical College System of Georgia. In addition to serving the Technical College System of Georgia, she serves on the curriculum standards administrative committee which she oversees the updating, revising, and promotion of the National Standards for Business Education as necessary and facilitate the development of additional K-14 curriculum materials as directed by the National Business Education Association Executive Board.

Under her leadership, five students received first, and second-place awards at the Phi Beta Lambda of Georgia’s 60th Annual Leadership Conference, and three students were placed in the top ten at the 2008 Phi Beta Lambda National Leadership Conference. To date, more than 200 students received associate degrees, almost 500 diplomas, nearly 150 technical certificates of credit, roughly 85 career placements, and about 50 Microsoft Office Specialist certifications. Also, Business Technology and Business Healthcare Technology are among the largest programs at Albany Technical College. Similarly, in 2017, Online Colleges recognized and honored business programs at Albany Technical College for excellence and achievement in online learning.

West said that attending NSU and receiving both her degrees from FCE&SCJ have prepared her for a growing career. It has opened many doors and helped leverage her career as a leader in education. FCE&SCJ allowed her to collaborate closely with faculty and staff to facilitate education programs and initiatives, celebrate diversity, promote multiculturalism, and develop a global mindset.

As an educational advocate for business and distance education, West regularly presents and contributes to scholarly publications at various conferences. She has received many recognitions for her publications, including the best conference paper from the Florida Distance Learning Association. West is currently working on a new book for those in higher education. West now lives in Albany, Ga., and enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and watching Tampa Bay Buccaneers play! Fins up to you, Theresa and for all your hard work.

Posted 12/15/21

Patricia Trejo, doctoral student, at NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice is the recipient of the 2021 the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS) Scholarship, sponsored by Curriculum Associates. Through the scholarship, Trejo will receive $10,000 toward her doctoral degree in educational leadership at NSU, which helps support the professional advancement of Latino administrators.

“We are thrilled at the opportunity Curriculum Associates proMasvides by funding a $10,000 scholarship for an ALAS member,” said Maria Armstrong, executive director of ALAS. “This year, Mrs. Patricia Trejo is a deserving recipient as she pursues her education in earning a doctoral degree. As a cofacilitator of our Linking Latina Leaders Network, she coordinates and promotes webinars that connect our ALAS members on topics of relevance and advocates for all children, with an emphasis on historically marginalized youth. ALAS is proud to have a member as dedicated to ALAS and her home state affiliate as she is.”

Trejo is an accomplished educator who graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a minor degree in mass communications, and then from Nova Southeastern University with her master’s degree in educational leadership in 2003. She has served in several roles throughout her 23-year career in public education, including teacher, learning team facilitator, assistant principal, and principal.

Posted 11/03/21

On March 26, 2021, Patrice Farquharson, Ed.D., welcomed Vice President Kamala Harris at the West Haven Child Development Center as part of the Biden administration’s “Help Is Here” campaign. The Child Development Center, founded in 1978, is expected to receive funding for teachers and classrooms to further support the care and education of our children. After a period of distance learning, the center, reopened on July 6, 2020. It offers full- and part-day childcare services for infants and children up to age five. While it was closed, the center serviced families remotely by providing diapers and information to access food.

Farquharson is a lifelong resident of West Haven, Connecticut, and is committed to providing a quality, research-based early childhood experience for the children of her city. She is currently in her 43rd year at the West Haven Child Development Center, serving as the executive director. Farquharson also holds the following appointments: Associate Professor of Early Childhood and Child Studies at Post University, the former Dean at the Core Faculty at Charter Oak State College, appointed by the Connecticut Board of Regents, where she teaches Psychology of Play.

Farquharson is active in the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). She has presented many scholarly papers on increasing social-emotional competence in young children at risk and, most recently, leadership in early childhood education. She is also an active interdisciplinary member of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP).

She is respected in both organizations for her expertise and leadership abilities. In 2010 she received NAPNAP’s President’s Award for her collaborative work in health and education. Farquharson is always on the cutting edge of new ideas and innovations in education and practice. Her record of funding from so many foundations for these projects is evidence of her success in achieving her goals.

Farquharson has faced many challenges throughout her career. However, one of her biggest challenges was educating the public about the importance of the work that is being done in early childhood education. Adding various forms of technology into preschool classrooms is a relatively easy task. However, fully integrating technology into the curriculum is much more complicated. She came up with a way to assist the teachers to feel comfortable with technology and consider using a variety of technology tools when planning the curriculum for children.

Farquharson received her Doctor of Education in Child and Youth Studies from the Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice in 1995. She also holds a Master of Science in Early Childhood Education from Southern Connecticut State University and a Bachelors from the University of Connecticut. She says the most exciting thing about child studies is the combination of psychology, sociology and child development. She is a mother of two girls and was even a cheerleader for the New England Patriots cheerleading team.