Southeastern dean selected as Higher Education Professional of the Year
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
by: Tonya Lowentritt
DEAN NAMED EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Southeastern Louisiana University College of Education Dean Paula Summers Calderon was recently named as the recipient of the Higher Education Professional of the Year Award by the Louisiana Council for Exceptional Children. Calderon will be honored next month by the organization.
HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University College of Education Dean Paula Summers
Calderon was recently selected by the Louisiana Council for Exceptional Children as
the Higher Education Professional of the Year. A resident of Baton Rouge, Calderon
will be honored by the organization in January.
The Louisiana Council for Exceptional Children Higher Education Professional
of the Year Award recognizes a professional who currently provides direct services
to students with exceptionalities. The Professional of the Year is an outstanding
member of the education profession whose work exemplifies the best of special education
services. His or her work reflects significant educational success for students, continues
professional development, and the highest standards of educational quality.
“As the Dean of the College of Education, Dr. Calderon has been a significant
advocate for the Lions Connected Program, an inclusive, comprehensive post-secondary
transition program at Southeastern for students with intellectual disabilities,” said
Director of Lions Connected Gerlinde Beckers. “She has gone above and beyond to help
Lions Connected become the outstanding program that it is for college students with
intellectual disabilities. Dr. Calderon never says, ‘No.’ She says, ‘We will find
a way.’”
The Council for Exceptional Children is an international organization that sets
the standard for high quality education for individuals with exceptionalities. Beckers
said the CEC is known as the primary source for advocacy, ethics, standards, resources
and professional development that directly impacts the lives of individuals with disabilities.