The role of the Center for Scholarship in Education at East Carolina

Elizabeth M. Hodge hodgee@ecu.edu
Michael Bosse bossem@ecu.edu
East Carolina University

ABSTRACT
The Center for Scholarship (CSE) in Education in the College of Education at East Carolina University serves the faculty by assisting them in their scholarly endeavors.  This discussion will provide some details regarding the nature and effects of the CSE and how such entities can assist other universities and the surrounding communities who benefit from the research and scholarship resulting from universities serving their region.

OBJECTIVES
The objective of the Center for Scholarship in Education in the College of Education at East Carolina University is simply to: support East Carolina University College of Education faculty in their production of scholarship, research, and creative activity focusing on educational policy and practice both within and beyond Eastern North Carolina. Notably, this mission affects scholarship within the university in order to better meet the needs of schools and communities within the region of Eastern North Carolina.  Thus, the impact of the CSE goes far beyond the walls of the university.  Scholarships initiated by College of Education faculty routinely address the needs of communities, families, parents, teachers, and students within numerous counties.  As scholarship increases, so does the outreach of the university to the communities.  As more faculty become involved in research, more student needs are met and communities are strengthened.

PERSPECTIVE
The rationale of the CSE is embodied in its posted statement: The philosophical premise behind the development of the CSE is that in most cases the infrastructure to support the scholarship of each individual faculty member already lies within the community of scholars in the College of Education and East Carolina University at large and among existing professional contacts with others outside of the university.  Unfortunately, with the growth of the College and university, many faculty are unaware of the scholarship and research foci of others, even those within their own programs and departments. The CSE seeks to facilitate collaborations among faculty to the end of enhancing scholarship, research, and creative activity conducted by all faculty. This philosophy which states that the infrastructure of the university community is most often sufficient to meet its internal needs, if the combined talents of the faculty are harnessed to work together and toward a mission, parallels the message which the College of Education hopes to promote to communities.  Most often, communities have within them countless talented and concerned people who have only to cohere and work together to find solutions to the concerns within their own communities.  University faculty often work within these communities to help them find this cohesiveness and focus their efforts to solve particular problems.

METHODS
The session will provide an overview of the steps it took to create the Center for Scholarship in Education. Listed below is an outline of the areas in which CSE provides support to faculty.
*       CSE Meeting Facilities
*       CSE Departmental Meetings
*       CSE New Faculty Orientation
*       CSE Collaboration/Team Meetings
*       CSE Research Associate
*       CSE Workshops/Training
*       CSE Individual Meetings
*       CSE Research Material
*       CSE Statistical Support
*       CSE Grant Material
*       CSE Journal Resources
*       CSE Data

DATA SOURCE
Faculty opinion Survey, CSE Impact Survey, results through working directly with faculty.

RESULTS
In only the first two years of the CSE, we have witnessed increased faculty collaboration, increased publications, and increased focus on the mission of the college and university.  Altogether, these increases are spawning additional outreach to schools and communities in the region.  Faculty are motivated to continue their work as they are both able to collaborate with others and can see definite impact of their work on students and teachers.  Thus, the practice of scholarship becomes even more rewarding.   

CONCLUSION
The CSE has been instrumental in affecting and increasing faculty scholarship and moving the college toward increased status as a research university.  Communities have been strengthened.  Other universities in North Carolina are now considering such a model to help both their faculty and the communities they serve.  Summarily, the CSE has been a blessing both within East Carolina's College of Education and to countless others beyond our walls.