West Liberty University will host Johns Hopkins University Sociologist Dr. Joyce Epstein as this semester’s Hughes Lecturer.

Epstein’s lecture, “A Base on Which to Build: Advances in Theory, Research, and Practical Programs of School, Family, and Community Partnerships,” will be held on Tuesday, October 5 at 4 p.m. in the Boyle Conference Center on WLU’s main campus.

Dr. Epstein has devoted her career to the promotion of parent involvement in students’ education. She is Director of the Center on School, Family, and Community Partnerships and the National Network of Partnership Schools (NNPS). In 1995, Epstein established NNPS, which continues to guide schools, districts, and state leaders to develop research-based programs of family and community involvement. Epstein has over one hundred publications on family and community involvement including “School, Family, and Community Partnerships: Your Handbook for Action”, and a college textbook for future teachers and administrators titled “School, Family, and Community Partnerships: Preparing Educators and Improving Schools.”

According to Epstein, “Educators, families, community members, and students are partners in education. They share responsibility for children’s success in school at all grade levels. As partners, they must work together to create excellent schools and to support student learning.”

Prior to the Hughes Lecture Series, Epstein will conduct the workshop “New Directions for Effective Family & Community Involvement Programs for Student Success” at Wheeling Park’s White Palace beginning at 8:15 a.m.

Robert Hagerman, Assistant Director of the W.Va. Department of Education, recently observed Epstein and commented, “Dr. Epstein’s work is very important for guiding programs for teachers to involve parents in the education of our students! I am glad to know she is visiting West Virginia again.”

WLU faculty are excited to have Epstein address the audience at these events. “We know that the West Virginia Department of Education and the educators and parents in the Ohio Valley area will be interested in learning new directions for organizing research-based programs for family and community involvement that will help teachers improve student attendance, behavior, achievement, post-secondary plans and other indicators of success in school, K through 12,” says Dr. Herrick, WLU Professor of Sociology.

Both events are free and open to the public. For more information please contact Shawn Drewett at sdrewett@westliberty.edu or (304) 336-8057.

Tuesday, October 5th:
8:15 a.m. – Wheeling Park White Palace –
Workshop: “New Directions for Effective Family & Community Involvement Programs for Student Success”

4:00 p.m. – WLU’s Boyle Conference Center
“A Base on Which to Build: Advances in Theory, Research, and Practical Programs of School, Family, and Community Partnerships,”