From April 2 – 4, the School of Education and Human Development (SEHD) hosted the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) education deans for an immersive experience at Fairfield University.
The visit began with a “reflective session” on Ignatian values, led by Rev. John Savard, S.J., and the Dean of the School of Education and Human Development, Evelyn Bilias Lolis, PhD. The gathering was attended by twenty educators from thirteen Jesuit colleges and universities.
Inspiring communities, building bridges and adopting holy “boldness” included some of the goals as the deans discussed share initiatives across their AJCU schools.
Throughout the visit, participants had the opportunity to visit both the North Benson and Fairfield Bellarmine campuses. Sessions included “building a robust teacher workforce” by Gary Ritter, PhD, and a facilitated session on leveraging the educators’ collective strengths in grants, publishing, and research by Colette Taylor, PhD.
The group of deans discussed ongoing innovative projects in the field of education, as well as successful endeavors by each individual school — as an opportunity to learn from one-another.
Through a visit to Fairfield Bellarmine’s campus — where the mission-driven associate’s degree program is offered — the dean’s experienced Fairfield University’s robust offerings.
With a focus on the collective Jesuit mission woven throughout the trip Dr. Bilias Lolis and Melissa Quan, PhD, also led a discussion on advancing the Jesuit mission through partnerships. As showcased through the longstanding partnership Fairfield University has with Loyola High School in Tanzania.
Fairfield’s School of Education and Human Development brought the group of deans together not only to learn from one another, but also to foster discussions on the shared, Jesuit Catholic mission, integral to the field of education.
