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In 2018 President Wubah signed the first certificates for two students who successfully completed the Integrated Studies program at MU. Since that time the program has grown to 40+ students and is an integral part of the University that ensures equal educational opportunities for every student.
Dr. Thomas Neuville was the first faculty advisor of Integrated Studies and led the program over the past nine years. As he steps down from the position, Dr. Ojoma Edeh Herr will take over as faculty advisor.
Herr recognizes the importance of the major and is working to ensure there is a smooth transition for everyone involved. “Integrated Studies is very important because everyone deserves to learn to his/her potential. In addition, we live in an inclusive community/society, which means everyone belongs. Since I accepted this position, I have been working hard to ensure a smooth transition between me and Dr. Neuville.”
Herr has much experience in the field and has dedicated her career to ensuring students with intellectual disabilities have equal opportunities. She founded the Olive Branch of Hope, a non-licensed community-integrated program providing opportunities for socialization, self-expression, leisure, outdoor skills and more for adults with intellectual disabilities. In addition, she also founded the Ministry of Mercy, a one of its kind program in Kogi State, Nigeria, that provides housing and education to orphaned, disabled and other disadvantaged children. Herr has also completed research and has many publications in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Behavioral Assessment, Curriculum Development, Teaching Methods for Multicultural Populations and Research Methodology.
Neuville speaks to Herr’s experience and is confident in her work as the new faculty Coordinator. “Dr. Edeh Herr has been with Millersville for 25 years. During that time, she has shown herself to be exceptionally skilled in education, teacher preparation, assessment and leadership. She has also demonstrated her strong abilities nationally and internationally. Perhaps the most important gift Dr. Edeh Herr brings to the position is her foundational commitment to each and every student. This is the key to the major of Integrated Studies and the students earning the credential.”
As Faculty Coordinator of Integrated Studies, Herr will have various tasks including, but not limited to:
- Supervising the integrated studies director and success coach
- Collaborating with the director and success coach on the recruitment, hiring and professional development of the educational support coaches and service-learning mentors
- Collaborating with the director regarding professional development for MU faculty and staff
- Advising in matters related to systemic compliance with MU administrative functions (University Housing, Budgeting, Student Accounts Office, Registrar, Admissions, Learning Services, Student Affairs, and MU Police)
Herr explains what this new position means to her, “I value this position very much because it gives me the opportunity to do what I enjoy doing most: working with individuals with intellectual disabilities.”
