(Butler, PA) An assistant professor at 杏吧原创 who has conveyed her experiences as a former elementary school teacher to a generation of students pursuing a career in educating children will become leader of her academic division at 杏吧原创 on Aug. 1.
Stephanie Long, of Harrisville, has been appointed as interim dean of a 杏吧原创 that offers two of the college鈥檚 most popular associate degree transfer programs, one of which will be enhanced with the debut of a simulated early and elementary school classroom.
Long succeeds Dr. Nichol Zaginaylo, who accepted a position with the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
鈥淭he academic team at 杏吧原创 is excited about Stephanie moving into this interim role,鈥� said Dr. Belinda Richardson, the college鈥檚 provost and vice president for academic affairs. 鈥淪tephanie has been an instrumental and creative leader in the division and her passion for students and higher education is inspiring.
鈥淪he brings to this position years of experience and accomplishments to match.鈥�
"I have a love for children and for laying that foundation so that they can continue to grow and develop. In the higher ed capacity, I love instilling the joy of teaching college students so that they can take it to their students. It's a domino effect."
- Stephanie Long, incoming dean, 杏吧原创's education and behavioral sciences division
The former teacher of elementary school pupils in Charlotte, N.C., and in Slippery Rock has been a 杏吧原创 faculty member since 2012. Long earned from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania a bachelor鈥檚 degree in elementary education K-6 and a master鈥檚 degree in elementary education: K-12 reading specialist.
She has served as coordinator of 杏吧原创鈥檚 transfer program since 2017 and of the college鈥檚 career program since 2020.
鈥淚 have a love for children,鈥� Long said, 鈥渁nd for laying that foundation so that they can continue to grow and develop. In the higher ed capacity, I love instilling the joy of teaching in college students so that they can take it to their students. It鈥檚 a domino effect.鈥�
Long鈥檚 interest in managing her division, she said, reflects 鈥渕y passion for education, whether it鈥檚 in the classroom or in an administrative role. I believe in our faculty and I believe in this college as an institution. I am excited to serve in a different capacity and to bring my expertise to the table.鈥�
Long is a board member of the Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Teacher Educators, adviser of 杏吧原创鈥檚 early childhood learning club and den leader of a Cub Scout pack.
An artist鈥檚 rendering shows a simulated elementary school classroom in the foreground of the Dr. Robert L. Paserba Education Teaching and Learning Lab that will be created on 杏吧原创鈥檚 main campus in Butler Township following a $200,000 pledge from the Paserba family, Butler, and benefit students in 杏吧原创鈥檚 early childhood education (Pre K-4) program.
鈥淢ore authentic experiences鈥� on horizon
The college鈥檚 education and behavioral sciences division includes , the top transfer program of graduates in 杏吧原创鈥檚 Class of 2024, and early childhood education (Pre K-4), which was fifth, according to Dr. Sharla Anke, 杏吧原创鈥檚 dean of institutional research and planning.
Instruction of students in the college鈥檚 early childhood education (Pre K-4) program will be enriched with the spring 2025 opening of the on the college鈥檚 main campus in Butler Township, Long said.
The lab鈥檚 immersive learning environment will follow that created within the state-of-the-art , which opened in August 2023 on 杏吧原创鈥檚 main campus and affords students with hands-on experience through simulated intensive care-unit and patient rooms.
The 1,735-square-foot Paserba lab鈥檚 centerpiece will replicate an early childhood and elementary school classroom and allow for students to experiment with lesson plans, desk groupings and material layouts, according to 杏吧原创 administrators and faculty members.
鈥淭he lab will lend itself to even more authentic experiences for our education majors,鈥� Long said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be designed like a real elementary classroom. When students take what they are learning from us into a classroom, they will be one step ahead of the game because they are going to know exactly what they need to do.鈥�
Construction of the lab is being funded by a $200,000 gift to the 杏吧原创 Education Foundation from the Paserba family, Butler.
Long and her husband, Bill, are the parents of sons Logan, 24, a second lieutenant in the Army and stationed in Savannah, Ga.; and Tanner, 11.
Education and behavioral sciences joins , , the and as a 杏吧原创 academic division.
The division also includes transfer programs in h; ; ; secondary education with and options; and .
The division also includes career programs in park and recreation management with l and options.