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About The Gevirtz School
Alumni News Archive
Yolanda Garcia's (M.Ed., '72, Ph.D., '98) 38 Years at UCSB Serve Witness to—and Catalyst for—a Changing University
Anyone who has known Yolanda Garcia during her 38 years of work on the UC Santa Barbara campus (she actually entered as a frosh in 1966) will not be surprised to learn that while she’s officially retiring as Assistant Vice Chancellor of Student Academic Support Services, she’s going to stay on part-time. Indeed Garcia will continue working on one of the most important parts of her job, and the part most connected with her time as a student in the Gevirtz School (M.Ed. 72, Ph.D. 98) – the research aspect.
“We [Student Affairs] have this big gap between research and practice, and I had the opportunity to bridge that gap,” Garcia explained during a recent interview. “We tend to make judgments based on our experience and not data. What does the literature say? How does that inform you?” The major research project she will help lead will explore the mental health needs of students. Conducted with several other UC campuses, outside agencies, and Eduventures, the project will, she said, “Help us see what faculty and staff know and not know about these services.” She will also continue to bring together the services – from Career Services to the Disabled Students Program – that have been under her purview. She explained, “It’s very much a part of my training, creating a matrix of services – what are you missing? Are you duplicating each other’s efforts?” more...
Michelle Acker and Erin Morales Develop an Innovative San Marcos High School-El Camino Elementary School Collaboration
Michelle Acker and Erin Morales, graduates of the Teacher Education Program (TEP), have developed an innovative collaboration to help teach their students. Acker, who teaches Senior English within the Special Education Department at San Marcos High School, and Morales, who teaches 6th grade at El Camino Elementary School, created a Big Buddy/Little Buddy system for their students.
Ann Lippincott, Associate Director of TEP, says, “The Teacher Education Program at UCSB values, encourages, and models professional collaboration. Michelle and Erin have taken this principle to a new level whereby K-12 students can also learn the value of working together, develop social skills, and celebrate the richness of sharing different perspectives. We are inviting Erin and Michelle to share their innovative work with current credential candidates.” more...