Father Dave Pivonka, TOR '89 President | Franciscan University website

Franciscan University of Steubenville’s Education Department has received the Frank Murray Leadership Recognition for Continuous Improvement Award at the 2025 Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) Conference. This year, only 22 educator preparation programs (EPPs) out of 541 accredited nationwide were selected for this distinction.

The award is given to EPPs that show leadership and a strong commitment to ongoing improvement through self-study and evidence-based reporting. Franciscan University was recognized not only for its excellence and growth but also for earning accreditation without any recommended areas for improvement. In Ohio, just three out of 50 EPPs had previously earned this recognition before 2025.

“We are honored to receive this award from CAEP, which acknowledges the strong evidence-based culture of quality assurance and continuous improvement within our Education Program,” said Dr. Rebecca Rook, chair of Franciscan’s Education Department. “This recognition reflects our commitment to preparing competent, caring, profession-ready educators who positively impact P-12 student learning. Above all, it celebrates our mission to form passionate educator-witnesses who will be a transforming presence in classrooms across the world—and it is this mission that energizes and sustains us.”

The university’s education program uses a hands-on approach rooted in Catholic faith and best teaching practices. It offers nine initial-level teacher licensure programs including elementary, middle, secondary, and special education. Faculty members have worked over seven years to develop a system focused on continual improvement throughout all branches of the department.

The Frank Murray Leadership Recognition is named after the founding president of the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC), Frank Murray, honoring his role in creating CAEP and unified standards for educator preparation.

“These providers are committed to preparing their candidates to make a positive difference in the lives of all K-12 students as soon as they enter the classroom,” said Yuhang Rong, chair of the CAEP Board of Directors. “The Murray Leadership Recognition highlights their dedication to continuous improvement, accountability, and quality through purposeful use of evidence.”

For more information about Franciscan University’s Education Program, visit their website.