10/13/2026
NSU College of Education receives national recognition for continuous improvement
Tahlequah Daily Press — The Northeastern State University College of Education received the Frank Murray Leadership Recognition for Continuous Improvement Sept. 17 during the Fall 2026 CAEPCon conference.
The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation presents the award to teacher preparation programs that achieve accreditation with no stipulations or areas for improvement, and demonstrate evidence of continuous improvement through data and measurable outcomes.
NSU was the only Oklahoma institution to receive this national recognition.
“What I am most proud of is that this recognition reflects a collective commitment to excellence,” said Dr. Vanessa Anton, dean of the NSU College of Education. “It represents the work of our faculty, staff, candidates, P-12 partners and university leaders. Our work ultimately comes back to one goal: improving the educational experience and outcomes of P-12 students.”
Dr. Lisa Bisogno, associate dean of the College of Education, oversaw the CAEP accreditation process and said the recognition reflects NSU’s commitment to quality across its educator preparation pathways.
“The inclusion of ACE within NSU’s CAEP national accreditation process demonstrates the university’s commitment to ensuring that all educator preparation pathways are held to high standards of quality and accountability and are focused on preparing effective, highly qualified teachers for Oklahoma schools,” Bisogno said.
NSU’s Alternative Certification for Educators (ACE) Institute helps professionals from non-education fields transition into teaching and earn educator certification.
ACE stands apart as Oklahoma’s only nationally accredited alternative educator preparation program from CAEP, offering a streamlined path to the classroom while preparing candidates to meet the needs of Oklahoma schools.
NSU President Rodney Hanley said the recognition reflects the university’s commitment to continually evaluating and strengthening its educator preparation programs.
“Excellence in educator preparation requires a willingness to continually evaluate, improve and raise the standard,” Hanley said. “We are thrilled by this recognition and how it exemplifies our mission to prepare the next generation of teachers.”
NSU’s ACE Institute, in partnership with the Oklahoma State Department of Education, is helping emergency-certified educators earn standard teacher certification through scholarships to cover coursework, testing fees and professional development opportunities.
For more information about the NSU College of Education, visit coe.nsuok.edu.
