The Educator Preparation Program Council (EPPC) is the body that is responsible for educator preparation (e.g., teacher education) at Shepherd University. The EPPC is chaired by the Coordinator of the Educator Preparation Program and Accreditation/Compliance [CEPAC] and is composed of the content-area specialists from each teaching field, all members of the School of Education, representatives from each two-year institution with which the EPP has an agreement, and a minimum of two elected teacher candidates. The Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences also serves on the Council as a non-voting member. In this way, the EPP Council exemplifies how faculty from all programs across the university share responsibility and authority with the faculty from the School of Education in determining what is important in educator preparation across the various specialties. Through monthly meetings, the EPPC administers, coordinates, evaluates, monitors, reviews, and revises the Educator Preparation Program at Shepherd University. The EPPC has the responsibility to ensure that all specializations are conducted in a manner that is consistent with the stated and shared philosophy, theme, and objectives of the Educator Preparation Program at Shepherd University
MEMBERS OF THE EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAM COUNCIL
Dr. Kurtis Adams, Dean; College of Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences
Dr. Jason Allen, Assistant Professor, Education; Social Studies Content-Area Specialist; Secondary Education Coordinator
Mrs. Helen Baker, Field Placement Coordinator, Education
Dr. Denis Berenschot, Associate Professor, Spanish; Spanish Education Content-Area Content-Area Specialist
Dr. Dawne Burke, Professor, Education
Dr. Tauna Cole, Professor, Education
Dr. Ruth Conley, Associate Professor, Biology; Biology, Chemistry, & General Science Education Content-Area Specialist
Dr. Rhonda Hovatter, Associate Professor, Physical Education Content-Area Specialist
Mrs. Karen James, Certification Analyst, Education
Dr. LeAnn Johnson, Professor, Education; Coordinator of Master of Arts in Teaching
Ms. Terresa Kepner, Coordinator of Education Preparation Program and Accreditation/Compliance, Education; Chair of the Educator Preparation Program Council
Mr. David Modler, Assistant Professor, Art; Art Education Content-Area Specialist
Dr. Belinda Mitchell, Director of School of Education; Associate Dean, College of Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences; Associate Professor, Education
Dr. Robert Monahan, Assistant Professor, Mathematics; Mathematics Education Content-Area Specialist
Dr. Timothy Nixon, Professor, English; Chair, Department of English, History, and Modern Languages
Dr. Tracy Nichols, Assistant Professor, Education; Elementary Education Coordinator
Dr. Austin Showen, Assistant Professor, Music Education; Music Education Content-Area Specialist
Dr. Julia Tracy, Assistant Professor, Physical Education; Physical Education Content-Area Specialist
ADJUNCT FACULTY
The Educator Preparation Program [EPP] relies on capable and committed part-time faculty members to supplement the work of the full-time faculty. Adjunct faculty are made aware of the EPP’s philosophy and theme and its implications for teaching and supervision. This is to ensure that our program objectives are consistently addressed in all phases of the educator preparation experience at Shepherd University.
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES
COMMUNITY / TECHNICAL COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES
Updated 5/2026 TDK