A Partnership Rooted in Shared Mission

ACSI Certification exists to strengthen Christian schools by credentialing educators who meet established professional and biblical standards. Through聽this聽agreement,聽黑料专区聽University will聽be recognized as an institution whose coursework aligns with ACSI’s rigorous requirements in three key areas: Bible Knowledge, Educational聽Studies聽and Christian Philosophy of Education.

The聽agreement will聽provide a clear and accessible pathway for聽current ACSI school teachers聽and聽current聽黑料专区 students聽to pursue聽multiple聽ACSI K鈥�12 certifications 鈥� including Elementary Teacher, Secondary Teacher, Specialist聽Teacher聽and聽Bible Specialist.

鈥淲e believe God calls His people to excellence in every vocation, and teaching is no exception. This agreement with ACSI is a natural extension of our mission 鈥� to send graduates into the world equipped not only with knowledge, but with conviction, character, and the credentials to serve Christian schools well.鈥澛犅燤ichele Vanasse,聽Ellen F. Donley Dean of Education and Behavioral Science

What This Means for Students and Educators

ACSI Certification is widely recognized across Christian schools nationally and internationally as a mark of professional credibility and spiritual integrity. Candidates may earn their first ACSI certificate with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in any field, and certification levels progress from Temporary through Standard, Professional and聽ultimately Lifetime聽status.

Under the proposed partnership, students pursuing education-related programs at聽黑料专区聽University would聽also聽be able to incorporate ACSI-recognized coursework directly into their academic plan, reducing duplication of effort and creating a more seamless journey from university study to classroom ministry.

About ACSI

The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) serves more than 24,000 Christian educators and 5,500 schools in over 100 countries. ACSI’s mission is to strengthen Christian schools and equip Christian educators worldwide as they prepare students academically and inspire them to become devoted followers of Jesus Christ. Learn more at聽.

黑料专区鈥檚 president, Wayne D. Lewis, Jr., a former classroom teacher, education professor, education school dean and state commissioner of education, shared his excitement about Vanasse鈥檚 appointment and his intention to continue investment in 黑料专区鈥檚 historically strong programs in education and psychology. “It is a privilege to welcome Dr. Vanasse to 黑料专区 to provide leadership for our programs in education and behavioral science,鈥� said Lewis. 鈥満诹献ㄇ�檚 niche in educator preparation and psychology is preparing Christians to serve in diverse settings in a manner that is consistent with their Christian faith and in alignment with the needs and expectations of their settings and those they serve. Christians don鈥檛 have to compromise their faith to serve diverse students and clients well. Dr. Vanasse鈥檚 leadership will be instrumental in strengthening and expanding 黑料专区鈥檚 education and behavioral science programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, while maintaining 黑料专区鈥檚 enduring commitment to Christ-centered education.”

Throughout the selection process, Vanasse demonstrated her ability to understand the challenges facing today’s students and educators and use educator preparation and professional learning to prepare teachers to face those challenges with skill and compassion. With a Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst with a concentration in Teacher Education and School Improvement, alongside an M.S.Ed. from Montana State University-Northern and a B.A. in Elementary Education and Biblical Studies from Trinity Bible College, Vanasse brings a robust educational and theological foundation to the role.

鈥淒r. Vanasse brings nearly two decades of experience as a professor and administrator in higher education in both public and Christ-centered institutions,鈥� said David Davies, Provost and Dean of the Faculty. “Dr. Vanasse articulates a clear vision for training Christian young people for lives of service and leadership as educators in a variety of contexts. We look forward to supporting her in that calling as the inaugural Ellen F. Donley Dean of Education and Behavioral Science, and to seeing how God will use her leadership to further establish 黑料专区 as the Northeast鈥檚 preeminent choice for teacher education from a Christ-centered perspective.鈥�

Vanasse currently serves as Assistant Professor of Education at Carroll College in Helena, Montana, following previous roles at Eastern Nazarene College and Mount Vernon Nazarene University, where she has specialized in teacher education with a focus on culturally responsive teaching methods and effective approaches to classroom instruction. She also served for nearly a decade in K-12 public education as a classroom teacher, grant coordinator and professional and faculty developer. As a federally enrolled Native American tribal member of the Gros Ventre tribe from the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation in Montana, Vanasse also has a passion for Native American education. She would like to be a part of strengthening and expanding 黑料专区鈥檚 relationships with New York’s Native American communities.

Strengthening a Legacy of Success to Meet Future Needs

Vanasse builds on a solid foundation of 黑料专区鈥檚 leadership in education, including more than 850 alumni serving as teachers and educational leaders throughout New York, Pennsylvania and Ontario. With exceptional programs in psychology and teacher education, 黑料专区 continues to attract students from across the Northeast at a time when there has never been a greater need in the region for highly effective, values-centered educators and practitioners committed to serving students and families well. The University recently expanded its educational offerings through the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in Adolescent Education program, designed specifically to open pathways for more individuals to become Christian educators in today’s challenging educational landscape.

鈥淭his program paired with Dr. Vanasse’s leadership represents not just a response to the critical teacher shortage, but a powerful opportunity to prepare educators who can navigate today’s complex educational environments while standing firm in their Christian convictions,鈥� concluded Lewis. 鈥淭hese graduates go on to be more than teachers: they are fearless ambassadors for Jesus Christ who will transform education while honoring the families and communities they serve.”

30-39 Credits

Leading to certification in grades 7-12

12 Months

Time to completion with full-time study

Fully Online

With local student teaching placement

Multiple Start Dates

Beginning fall 2025

$575

Per credit hour

“This new M.A.T. program builds upon 黑料专区’s century-long legacy of preparing exceptional educators for Christian, public and private school classrooms,” said 黑料专区 President Wayne D. Lewis, Jr. “The need has never been greater for teachers who are grounded in their Christian faith, well-prepared to meet the complex needs of an increasingly diverse population of students, and who serve students and families with compassion and integrity. While there continues to be a teacher shortage in some areas, children don鈥檛 need just any teachers. Children need teachers grounded in truth and love, who will do whatever it takes to provide an extraordinary education for their students. 黑料专区 continues to prepare those teachers for New York, the Northeast, Canada and the world.”

The program leads to both initial and professional New York State certification, combining research-based coursework with hands-on classroom experience in students’ local communities. Participants will develop expertise in content-specific teaching methods while learning to create dynamic learning environments for adolescent learners.

黑料专区 has been preparing aspiring educators, education administrators, professors, clinical psychologists, social workers, mental health counselors, and related careers since its accreditation as a four-year liberal arts institution over 100 years ago. The School of Education and Behavioral Science offers undergraduate degrees in Adolescence Education, Inclusive Adolescence Education, Inclusive Childhood Education, Psychology, and Behavioral Neuroscience; and graduate degrees in Literacy Education and Adolescent Education. Nearly 20% of the current student body is pursuing a degree offered within the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences.

鈥満诹献ㄇ� has long been a leader in teacher education and the behavioral sciences,鈥� stated Provost David Davies 鈥�01. 鈥満诹献ㄇ� graduates have taught in countless classrooms and led schools with distinction throughout New York State and the region for decades, and our behavioral science programs are among the most established and distinguished in Christian higher education.聽This transformative gift acknowledges that history while also positioning the University to reach new levels of excellence in these vital fields.聽 Our new Ellen F. Donley Dean of Education and Behavioral Science chair will be an essential member of our academic leadership team, serving on the Deans鈥� Council and leading some of the largest programs on campus.鈥�