WIU College of Education and Human Services

04/27/2026

Celebrating dedication, excellence, and years of meaningful impact 💜💛
Today, we proudly recognize WIU faculty and staff who have reached significant career milestones. Your commitment, passion, and hard work continue to strengthen our university community and shape the experience of every student who walks through our doors.
Congratulations to all our honorees—thank you for the lasting difference you make every day.

30 Years of Service- Stephanie Dorsett
25 Years of Service- Drs. Gary Daytner, Katrina Daytner, and Yuki Hasebe
20 Years of Service- Drs. Debra Allwardt, Minsun Doh, and Jeanne Gage
15 Years of Service- Dr. Rebecca McLean and Heather Crouch

For more information-https://www.wiu.edu/news/newsrelease.php?utm_source=university_relations&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=enews_email&release_id=21264

04/03/2026

🎉 Join Us for the 44th Western Illinois Senior Games! 🏅💜

Calling all seniors age 50 and above — you’re cordially invited to be part of the 44th Western Illinois Senior Games on the beautiful campus of Western Illinois University!

📍 Location: Western Illinois University
📅 Dates: Friday, April 24 & Saturday, April 25, 2026

Come enjoy two days of fun, fitness, friendship, and friendly competition! Whether you’re participating, cheering others on, or simply celebrating active living, this is an event you won’t want to miss. 🌟

⏰ Important Reminder:
The final deadline for entries and shirt orders is Friday, April 10, 2026.

Don’t wait — sign up and be part of this exciting tradition! 💪🎽

Join the 44th Annual Western Illinois Senior Games on April 24–25, 2026, at Western Illinois University. Open to adults 50+. Compete in golf, pickleball, swimming, track & field, bowling, and more. Register today!

11/22/2025

💜💛 Congratulations to WIU’s Dean S. Hage Student Award Honorees!

We’re proud to celebrate Maddie and Lilly, recipients of the Illinois CEC’s Dean S. Hage Student Award for their outstanding service and leadership in supporting individuals with disabilities.

From their work on WIU’s CEC executive board to volunteering at state conferences and advocating for federal special education policy in Washington, D.C., these students exemplify dedication and impact.

👏✨ Join us in congratulating Maddie and Lilly on this well-deserved recognition!

🌟 Congratulations to WIU’s Dean S. Hage Student Award Honorees! 💜💛

The Dean S. Hage Student Award, presented annually by the Illinois Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), honors students who demonstrate exceptional service and leadership in supporting individuals with disabilities. This year, we are proud to announce that two WIU students—Maddie and Lilly—have been selected for this prestigious recognition.

Maddie and Lilly have shown remarkable dedication through their leadership roles on WIU’s CEC executive board, their volunteer service at state-level professional conferences, and their national advocacy efforts. For two consecutive summers, they traveled to Washington, D.C., where they championed federal special education policy on Capitol Hill.

Their commitment, passion, and advocacy exemplify the true spirit of the Dean S. Hage Award. Please join us in celebrating their outstanding achievements! 👏✨

11/14/2025

🎓 Scholarship Opportunities at WIU! 💜💛
A huge thank you to Emily Gillett, our Director of Development and Ally Magee, Director of the Scholarship Office, for visiting our EDS 202 class! They shared valuable insights about the WIU scholarship portal, key timelines, and how to submit strong applications.
Their message was clear and inspiring: apply, apply, apply! WIU offers numerous scholarship opportunities, and they encouraged every student to take full advantage.
Students left feeling motivated, informed, and ready to pursue the support available to them. 🌟

10/24/2025

The Western Illinois University African Student Association (ASA) invites you to join them for a Thanksgiving service from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27, in the Newman Center.

This service is for Joy Okolie, a WIU student in the Public Health graduate program, who recently gave birth to twins after a life-threatening health crisis. This event aims to celebrate her recovery and raise funds to support her family. The ASA encourages people to gather in fellowship at this candlelight vigil.

For more information, please check-

MACOMB, IL - - The Western Illinois University African Student Association (ASA) invites you to join them for a Thanksgiving service from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Mond...

10/23/2025

💜 In Memoriam: Dr. Halverson

We are deeply saddened to share the passing of Dr. Halverson, former Dean and a cherished member of the Western Illinois University community.

Following a distinguished career in public education, Dr. Halverson joined WIU as a Professor of Educational Leadership, where he shaped countless future K–12 administrators. His dedication to teaching, research, and service—including leading doctoral programs, publishing extensively, and serving as President of the Illinois Council of Professors of Educational Administration—left an enduring mark on the field.

Honored as Professor Emeritus upon retirement, Dr. Halverson will be remembered for his vision, mentorship, and unwavering belief in the power of education.

🕊️ Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all whose lives he touched. His legacy continues through the many educators and leaders he inspired.

https://www.trimblefuneralhomes.com/obituaries/dean-halverson?fbclid=IwY2xjawNnGspleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFWZEtZSWc2T2VSNnlzVlBRAR5bt8bovVcMmo3XpM2sFtYSMwalEBUan5DjcDZ9Jaa11mbqMr73fApFA2ZScg_aem_RYp5s2_vokZNn-1V72vgTw

View Dean L. Halverson's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

09/29/2025

👏 Congratulations to Eduardo Pérez 💜💛
As a Kindergarten teacher, Eduardo contributed to the newly published The Power of Instructional Routines: Connecting Assessment and Joyful Teaching in Kindergarten (Erikson Institute – Project Now & ISBE, published by Teachers College Press).
His classroom practices—Photo Chats, Counting Collections, Storytelling/Story Acting, and Numberless Word Problems—showed how authentic assessment and joyful teaching go hand in hand.
Now as Director of WIU’s Bilingual Early Learning and Family Center, Eduardo continues to demonstrate how classroom practice can shape meaningful educational resources. 🌟

Center Link-
https://www.wiu.edu/coehs/early_learning_lab/about.php

09/04/2025

🌟 💜💛 Alumni Spotlight 💛💜🌟
Meet Camille Husko, a Spring 2024 COEHS' Social Work graduate, who has already stepped into an impactful career with the Regional Office of Education #26 (ROE) in Macomb.
In her new role, Camille supports the Leading, Educating and Partnering in Schools (LEAP) program, where she is dedicated to building strong relationships and fostering positive engagement with both students and families.
Reflecting on her WIU journey, Camille shared:
"I was a part of about 8 different organizations during my time, founding two, and serving several e-board positions. I also was the social work program student representative. I figured out what I liked from this. I switched my major, and overall just met a lot of different people!"
Congratulations, Camille! 🎉 Your leadership and passion for serving others embody the spirit of the Social Work program. We’re proud to see you making a difference in our communities. 💜💛


https://www.wiu.edu/news/newsrelease.php?release_id=20877

For more information on Social Work program, visit https://www.wiu.edu/coehs/cnedcsp/social_work/

Just Hired! Through the experiences of local, regional, national and international students, Western Illinois University has some incredible alumni who are c...

08/19/2025

📚🎉 Shout-out to Ivan Cortez Sanchez 💜💛
Meet Ivan Cortez Sanchez, a COEHS Physical Education graduate, who has been hired by Gard Elementary School in Beardstown.
"WIU provided me with a strong foundation in education theory, instructional strategies and hands-on experience through student teaching and fieldwork," Cortez said. "The program emphasized classroom management, curriculum planning and culturally responsive teaching—all of which directly helped me secure this role at such a diverse school. The support from faculty and access to real-world teaching experiences played a major role in building my confidence and skills."
To learn more about the WIU Physical Education program, visit wiu.edu/academics/majors/education_and_human_services/physical-education.php

08/04/2025

🎉 Welcome to Our New COEHS Office Manager, Candy Ambrose ! 💼
📢The College of Education & Human Services is excited to announce that Candyce “Candy” Ambrose has accepted the position of Office Manager and officially begins today!
Candy has been doing an exceptional job supporting Health & Wellness Services and RPTH, and while she transitions into her new role, she’ll continue helping those departments as much as possible.
We are lucky to have her energy and expertise as she learns the ropes in the college office. Please join us in giving Candy a warm Leatherneck welcome! 💜💛
📍We're in Brophy Hall—if you’re in the area, stop by and say hello to Candy!