Planning fun events while improving the IU School of Education - it’s all part of the important work from the Dean’s Advisory Council. 

The Dean’s Advisory Council is a student-led group within the School of Education that has three goals: act as a communication bridge between the undergraduate student body and the administration, create a community within the School of Education by putting on events and raise money for education-related charities. This year, the group officially obtained University Student Organization (USO) status within IU.  

Junior Sarah Richardson and sophomore Jordan Pyles are co-presidents of the DAC. Their work involves planning group events and communicating with Dean Anastasia Morrone and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education Jeff Anderson. 

“I am so pleased that the Dean’s Advisory Council has been formally recognized as an IU University Student Organization,” Anderson said. “For many years, DAC has served as the voice of the undergraduates in the SOE, providing an invaluable source of information to the administration.”

This semester, the DAC has focused on recruitment as they try to grow the group’s numbers. They’ve participated in EdFest, hosted a Halloween with the Dean event and had a collaborative game night with other organizations during International Education Week. This month, they’ll also bring back Tips 4 Treats, an event where they ask students for feedback about the School of Education. That feedback is then presented to Dean Morrone. The DAC is also part of the Leadership Roundtable in the School of Education, where leaders from organizations around the school come together.

Richardson invited all School of Education students to be involved in the DAC: “Our meetings have an open-door policy, so any student who wants to come talk about things they want to see improved in the School of Education is welcome to do so!”

Their involvement can make a difference within the school, Pyles pointed out. 

“Students should be involved because this is their education. DAC can’t directly make changes in the School of Education, but we can talk to the people with the ability to make changes and give them the student perspective,” he said. “You get the chance to have a say in your education… I do highly suggest students speak up when there is an issue because that is the first step to changing our school for the better.”

Students interested in getting involved in the Dean’s Advisory Council can reach out with questions to deansaciu@gmail.com or follow the group on Instagram.