Student and Professional Organizations

Kappa Delta Pi

Kappa Delta Pi, an international education honor society, was founded on March 8, 1911, at the University of Illinois. The College of Charleston's Tau Tau Chapter was installed by Mr. Michael Wolf on February 18, 1993, under the leadership of Dr. Bob Fowler. Today the Chapter has over 100 current members with Dr. Marty Nabors and Dr. Brian K. Lanahan as its counselors. Members are education majors with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher. These majors continue to participate in the society after graduation and thus the Tau Tau Chapter has a great mixture of undergraduate and graduate students, as well as school teachers and principals. For more information see the Kappa Delta Pi webpage at www.kdp.org.

Student Council for Exceptional Children (SCEC)

The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides continual professional development, advocates for newly and historically underserved individuals with exceptionalities, and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice.The student chapter at the College of Charleston provides future special education professionals the opportunity to expand pre professional training through participation at state and national conferences, attendance at monthly chapter meetings on campus, and participating in local service projects

Advisors: Dr. Mary Provost, Dr. Bonnie McCarty

Special Education College Bowl

The College Bowl is held annually as a part of the annual conference of the South Carolina Council for Exceptional Children (SCCEC). Four special education majors from the College of Charleston test their knowledge of special education against that of students from other institutions in South Carolina. Dr. Michael Skinner has coached the team for the past two years. Of the seven years the event has been conducted, the College of Charleston has emerged victorious six times, including the past three years.

American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD)

Founded in 1876, the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) ( formerly the American Association on Mental Retardation - AAMR) is the oldest and largest interdisciplinary organization of professionals (and laypeople) concerned about mental retardation and related disabilities. Dr. Robert Fowler initiated the College of Charleston's Student Chapter (SAAMR) in 1989. The mission of the student chapter has been to provide service and activities for the citizens of Charleston who have mental retardation. For 15 years, SAAMR sponsored an evening Spring Dance for the adult citizens of Charleston County who are mentally retarded. We did this entirely with donations from the student members and the community, and without any support from the department, School of Education, or the College. Dr. Denis Keyes has advised this organization for 17 years.

Collegiate Educators Association (CEA) - CEA Website

The Collegiate Educators Association (CEA) is a professional education organization for college students preparing to become middle level teachers. In monthly meetings, teacher candidates discuss issues involved in teaching young adolescents, talk with teachers about topics of interest, and plan worthwhile service projects. CEA members travel to conferences together, meet with other CEA members from across the country, and contribute to the promotion of quality education for middle grades students. For more information about CEA , an affiliate of the National Middle School Association, contact faculty sponsor Dr. Diana Treahy or visit the College of Charleston's CEA website.

South Carolina Association for the Education of Young Children (SCAEYC)

A student chapter of the South Carolina Association for the Education of Young Children (SCAEYC) was formed in Spring 2004 by students in the first undergraduate early childhood education cohort. SCAEYC is a state affiliate of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the largest professional organization for those who work with children from birth through third grade. Since 1926 NAEYC and its state and local affiliate groups work to facilitate collaboration, professional development, and advocacy for issues important to the welfare and education of young children. Membership is open to any student interested in working with or advocating for young children, and is not limited to education majors. For more information contact CharlestonSC_NAEYC@hotmail.com. Advisors: Dr. Jinny Bartel, Candace Jaruszewicz.

Dean's Student Advisory Council

Sponsored by Dr. Fran Welch, Dean, the Dean's Student Advisory Council meets at least once each semester. The purpose of this Council is to advise the Dean from the perspective of students. Each student organization within the School of Education has one representative on the Dean's Student Advisory Council.

Physical Education and Health Club (PEH)

The Physical Education and Health Club (PEH) brings together students with an interest in promoting physical education, health, fitness and recreation. Many, but not all, club members are future P-12 physical educators. Club members are actively involved in the South Carolina Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance attending the annual conference each year in Myrtle Beach. The conference includes a Superstars competition between other clubs in South Carolina. The College of Charleston PETE Club is a two-time defending champ winning the competition in 2004 and 2005! Sponsor: Tom Carroll

Sports Medicine Association (SSMA)

The purpose of this organization is to supplement educational opportunities in the ever-changing fields of Sports Medicine and Athletic Training by presenting pertinent topics via guest speakers, hands-on learning sessions and seminar/conference attendance. Sponsor: Dr. Noah Wasielewski