Establishing a National Community of Learners:

How the NLCSD Model has Supported Doctoral Candidates Through Collaboration,

Networking and Enrichment

Brooke Smith, Ph.D., COMS, Salus UniversityHeather Hayes, Washington University in St. Louis

Chris Brum, Boston CollegeRebecca Sheffield, Texas Tech University

Arlene Stredler-Brown, University of Northern Colorado

OSEP Project Directors’ MeetingWashington, D.C.

July 23, 2014

The contents of this publication were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, #H325V090001. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government Project Officer, Glinda Hill.

To increase the number and quality of leadership personnel competent in the areas of higher education and research to improve educational and support services for all individuals with sensory disabilities through specialized doctoral training.

NLCSD Mission

NLCSD History

• Expansion of National Center for Leadership in Visual Impairment (NCLVI) started 2005.

• NLCSD Began 1/2010

• Salus University is the coordinating center and fiscal agent.

NLCSD Community• 23 Universities with doctoral programs in

DB, DHH, BVI (18 have Fellows)• 27 Fellows in 2 cohorts (4 DB, 11 DHH, 12 BVI) • 24 Public Advisory Council members

(advocacy, policy, parent & education groups)• 4 Leadership Team members

o Audrey Smith, BVIo Brooke Smith, BVI o John Killoran, DBo Heather Hayes, DHH

• OSEP Officer is Ms. Glinda Hill

NLCSD Collaborative Model

Fellows

OSEP

SalusUniversity Consortium

Public Advisory Council

Project Objectives

1. Produce doctoral leaders in D/HH, DB, B/VI 27 doctoral leaders

2. Create a working Consortium to design and implement a national, doctoral-level, leadership preparation program focusing on sensory disabilities

3. Develop and implement a Research-Based Enrichment Program

4. Create an inclusive Community of Learners!

Projected Outcomes

The quality and quantity of

leadership will be greatly

augmented

Research till inform practice in

relation to teacher

preparation

Enhanced academic

performance of students.

•Program focus is low incidence sensory disabilities.•Target population is children who are:

• Deaf and Hard of Hearing • Blind and Visually Impaired • Deaf Blind

Opportunities for Interactions

PACFellow-to-Fellow

Fellow-to-Faculty

Faculty-to-Faculty

Enrichment Program

• Focus on research and leadership in sensory disabilities

• Year 1: Research in Low Incidence Populations

• Year 2: Development of a Research Topic

• Year 3: Grant Writing

• Year 4: The Professoriate

9

Fellows’ Perspectives

Collaboration

Teaching & Learning

Professional Communities

10

Questions for Discussion

1. What types of activities can leverage networking and facilitate collaboration?

2. How does this project differ from your existing leadership program? 

3. What “lessons learned” from NLCSD can be used in your program?