Virtual Town Halls with Dean Randy Penfield Inform and Engage SOE Education Champions

Posted on November 04, 2020

Randy Feature Image Headshot
SOE Town Hall 2020
A screenshot of the virtual SOE Town Hall on September 16, 2020.

Earlier this fall, Dean Randy Penfield and Associate Dean Jewell Cooper hosted a series of three SOE Town Halls during September, with hopes of hosting more in the future. These virtual conversations were designed to help UNC Greensboro School of Education (SOE) alumni and interested “champions” of education have a more in-depth look at how the SOE has dealt with the many challenges this year has presented us. More than 60 people joined these meetings via Zoom to talk about our response to the pandemic, racial equity, and our commitment to making progress in these areas.

Many of our Town Hall attendees heard the phrase “wicked problem” for the first time, and learned it is a way to describe the greatest problems facing society for which there is no single cause and no single solution. Among the most widely recognized wicked problems is that of educational inequity.

“The response to the Town Halls was amazing,” said Dean Penfield. “I had the opportunity to interact with people from around the country, which is something we have not done before. I am grateful for everyone who attended. We learned so much from the questions and discussions that I look forward to hosting similar Town Halls during the course of the year.”

If you are interested in attending an SOE Town Hall in the future, please click here.