Mills earns 2005 UCEA Great Plains Continuing Education Student Award

Recent University of Nebraska-Lincoln doctoral graduate Shirley Mills was the recipient of the 2005 University Continuing Education Association's Great Plains Continuing Education Student Award.

Mills, who received her Ph.D. in educational administration Dec. 17, is also a graduate of the UNL School Improvement Specialist Program. She has had a 37-year teaching career at the elementary school in Oshkosh.

Mills was honored for her excellent understanding of school improvement in K-12 settings and teacher leadership, knowledge that was tested in classroom settings, according to her nominator, Jody Isernhagen, associate professor of educational administration at UNL.

Mills served on the Graduate Advisory Council to the dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences. She was a graduate assistant in the school-based, teacher-led Assessment and Reporting System Comprehensive Evaluation Research Study funded by the Nebraska Department of Education.

The UCEA Great Plains Continuing Education Student Award honors an adult student for achievement and excellence in the pursuit of continuing education. It is given to a nominee who is at least 25 years old, and a current student or graduate student of an active UCEA member institution. The award is given to a student who has excelled in an unconventional education atmosphere, and has effectively managed multiple and/or significant commitments and responsibilities during their higher education experience. The recipient reflects outstanding performance and dedication in continuing education, and serves as an inspiration to others through individual growth.

CONTACT: Marie Barber, Extended Education & Outreach, (402) 472-4353