Jo Ellen Priest Misakian
School Library Media Program Director
Hand-picked by her predecessor to be program director, Jo Ellen Misakian's passion certainly is the school library profession about which she has written books and numerous journal and newspaper articles and for which she sits on a variety of boards and associations. Because of her experience and servant leadership qualities, she also served as interim dean for the School of Education. Her focus on critical thinking and practical application helps produce students who are lifelong learners and educators who are prepared to embrace the challenge of change.
"I absolutely love working at a Christian university. The ethos here at FPU is food for the soul and soothing to the spirit. I have a deep respect for our professors and their expertise and dedication to their students. This university is extremely fortunate to have such a group of highly dedicated faculty and staff who exemplify our mission.
"Our graduate students are placed in charge of their own learning. Instructors challenge and encourage students to stretch their minds in multiple ways. Students can expect to work very hard and courses are extremely rigorous, but when they complete the program they are well-prepared. They come to understand the process is more important than the product. The process is what produces lifelong learners.
"The new School of Education building will be an outreach to the community and will be teeming with training and enrichment activities for teachers, administrators, students, parents and community members. It will encompass the latest of educational strategies and technologies to best prepare teachers to enter classrooms and libraries equipped to use the latest digital and print materials to educate students of all types, ages and levels. This addition makes a strong statement to the community that we are serious about making an impact on our community.”
