Experiential Education – 91ֱ��

C-SC Music Students Gain Professional Experience at MMEA Conference

Teresa Koltzenburg — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 14:25:18 +0000

Conference participation provided hands-on professional learning and networking opportunities for future music educators. C-SC junior Faith Myers (pictured above) was selected to perform with the Missouri All-Collegiate Orchestra.

CANTON, Mo. — 91ֱ�� was well represented at the 88th annual Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA) In-Service Workshop and Conference, held Jan. 28–31 at Lake of the Ozarks (Mo.). C-SC students’ participation in the event was highlighted by a prestigious performance honor for Faith Myers (Clarksville, Mo.), a junior music education major.

Myers was selected to perform in the percussion section of the Missouri All-Collegiate Orchestra, an ensemble composed of top collegiate musicians from across the state. Myers arrived at the conference early to rehearse with the orchestra, and she was part of the orchestra’s Jan. 28 concert performance.

In total, 12 Culver-Stockton music students attended the annual conference, which drew nearly 3,000 current and future music educators. The MMEA is a federated state association of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), representing nearly 80,000 educators nationwide committed to advancing comprehensive, high-quality music instruction.

According to Dr. Alex Kirby, C-SC’s associate director of bands and director of athletic bands, the conference served as important professional gateway for Culver-Stockton students.

“For music education majors, conferences like MMEA are transformational,” Kirby explained. “Students participate in performances, clinics, and reading sessions that sharpen their instructional skills while introducing them to the latest conversations in the field. Just as importantly, they begin forming professional networks that will support them throughout their careers.”

The experience provided valuable networking opportunities, allowing students to build relationships with veteran educators, explore graduate programs, and engage with current ideas shaping music education today.

For more information about Culver-Stockton’s major in music education, as well as about other areas of study in music, visit /majors/.

Cowden Named Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies

Ryan Gibson — Mon, 11 Jul 2022 20:52:11 +0000

Cowden began her new role on June 27, 2022 and previously served as the Executive Director for Online Learning at the University of Southern Indiana. Cowden has extensive experience in distance education, online learning, instructional design, and promoting new programs. Dr. Schellenberger said she is enthusiastic about the new leadership for the College and anticipates growth for C-SC, “Dr. Cowden has the experience we need to expand 91ֱ��’s online and graduate programs into new markets.”

Joining C-SC with many years of higher education experience, Cowden brings the expertise of C-SC’s accrediting body, the Higher Learning Commission, which will be valuable as the College grows its online and graduate programs. Cowden has served on various committees, prepared materials for accreditation, and maintained compliance for online learning. She said, “I am excited for the opportunity to lead graduate and professional studies at C-SC,” Cowden said, “I am learning that innovation thrives here, and I am proud to be the individual guiding online and graduate programs for next-level thinking.”

Janney Named Outstanding Leader in Experiential Education

Ryan Gibson — Tue, 05 Oct 2021 15:47:52 +0000

Dr. Janney was presented the award at the 50th Annual NSEE Conference in Orlando, Florida last week. With thirty years in higher education, Dr. Janney oversees the strategic planning for graduate and online programs, instructional technology, and career and internship services. In Janney’s previous role as Associate Dean of Experiential Education, she created the Strategic Plan for Excellence in Experiential Education, which would become the foundation for the Higher Learning Commission Quality Improvement Plan. The Quality Improvement Plan was accomplished including creation and implementation of an assessment plan for experiential education and the launch of the NSEE’s Experiential Education Academy (EEA) on C-SC’s campus with over 70% of the faculty trained. The Quality Improvement Plan included the establishment of an Experiential Learning Center, and in the fall of 2021, the Innovation, Design and Experiential Activities (IDEA) Center will open to provide a venue for experiential learning. In 2017, Dr. Janney completed the NSEE’s (EEA) and became a member of the EEA faculty. In 2019, Janney became a member of the EEA Curriculum Committee and taught the Best Practices in Internships workshop at the 2019 conference. In 2020 and 2021, she produced the online offering of Legal Issues in Experiential Education workshop and assisted with the creation of the Producer’s Facilitation guide. She re-designed and presented the online offering of the Principles of Ethical & Best Practice workshop in 2021.

The National Society for Experiential Education (NSEE) is a nonprofit membership association of educators, businesses, and community leaders. Founded in 1971, NSEE serves as a national resource center for the development and improvement of experiential education programs nationwide. NSEE supports the use of learning through experience for intellectual development, cross-cultural and global awareness, civic and social responsibility, ethical development, career exploration and personal growth. The mission of the NSEE is to cultivate educators who effectively use experiential education as an integral part of personal, professional, civic and global learning.