The Coastal Carolina University board of trustees approved the creation of a Master of Arts in education as well as a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts in sustainability and coastal resilience, in its meeting on Oct. 11. Degree programs must be approved by the South Carolina Higher Education Commission and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) before being officially added to the University curriculum.

The Master of Arts in education aims to broaden students' understanding of curriculum, instruction, and assessment of learners, as well as prepare them to make informed instructional decisions through the use and analysis of formative and summative data. The program targets teachers currently participating in a formal alternative licensing program, such as PACE or Teach for America, to prepare them to teach grades P-12. Courses required for those programs are included in CCU's Master of Arts in education program, which can be completed online.

"We need to address teacher supply and demand issues in ways that advance teacher effectiveness, while maintaining the academic integrity of the teacher education developmental processes," said Ed Jadallah, dean of the Spadoni College of education. "The intent of the Master of Arts in education is to address the teacher supply and demand issue by providing a quality program that allows individuals who have a B.A. or B.S. degree to pursue teacher licensure."

The two bachelor's degrees in sustainability and coastal resilience support student development in the areas of sustainable ecosystems, economics, policy, and culture. Students in these programs will examine the environmental, economic, ethical, political, and social dimensions of sustainability for a holistic perspective on major global challenges. Students will also apply knowledge and skills to issues specifically facing coastal communities through coursework that focuses on coastal resiliency, a growing subfield in the sustainability profession as a result of recent extreme weather events resulting in increased flooding and coastal erosion.

"The HTC Honors College and Center for Interdisciplinary Studies is very excited about our new degree program in sustainability and coastal resilience," said Sara Hottinger, dean of the HTC Honors College and Center for Interdisciplinary Studies. "CCU will be the first public institution in South Carolina to offer an undergraduate degree in sustainability and the only institution in the nation to offer an undergraduate degree with a specific focus on coastal resilience."

"Programs that focus on the environment are becoming more and more common at American universities, and Coastal is prepared to offer an outstanding sustainability major," said Dan Ennis, interim provost. "There is a consensus that environmental challenges require interdisciplinary solutions, so students who are broadly trained in sustainability will be able to address areas where policy, science, and human activity intersect. Coastal regions are particularly sensitive to the effects of climate change, so this program will directly benefit our community."

The board also approved a motion to establish a memorandum of understanding with the City of Myrtle Beach to develop a K-8 lab school at no cost to the University. The primary intent is to serve as an incubator for new ideas and as an effective teacher training vehicle for pre-service teachers. This initiative establishes a dynamic, higher education anchor in downtown Myrtle Beach that will serve as a catalyst for revitalization and future growth.

A representative of Buffkin/Baker, an executive firm hired to manage the search for the University's next president, provided an update to the board about the search process. A series of listening sessions are scheduled Oct. 14 and 15 to provide the CCU community the opportunity to share input on the presidential search.

The board also approved a motion to allocate funds from a donation by the Thompson Family of Conway to be utilized for the renovation of Kimbel Library.

The board also approved Ron Daise as the speaker for the fall commencement ceremonies Dec. 17. Daise is a native of St. Helena Island, S.C., who has created and implemented programs, events, and exhibits throughout his lifetime that showcase the significance of Gullah Geechee heritage. He has served as the vice president for creative education at Brookgreen Gardens since 2004 and has partnered with CCU's Athenaeum Press on the album "A Hushed Thrill: Brookgreen Gardens." Daise is known by many as "Mr. Ron" from the Nick Jr. award-winning television show "Gullah Gullah Island from the 1990s."