EMU Today

YPSILANTI – James Berry, a longtime professor of educational leadership at Eastern Michigan University, received a Living Legend Award this month at a national conference of career educators in Charlotte, NC.

Berry, who joined the EMU faculty in 1991, was honored at the annual meeting of the International Council of Professors of Educational Leadership (ICPEL), an organization focused on serving the interests and needs of professors of educational leadership and practicing school administrators as they seek to help students succeed.

“I was surprised by the award, and honored to be recognized by the organization.” Berry said.

Berry gave a presentation, entitled “Leadership in Education: ICPEL, the Profession and Me,” in which he examined how to individualize and personalize learning, and how elements such as the federal government, states, local government and school districts can contribute to that process.

His presentation noted the potential of the Internet as an emerging virtual system that can “equalize access and opportunity to education for those who have a smart phone, browser, and Wi-Fi connection anywhere in the world.”

Berry, who received his doctorate from the University of Missouri-Columbia, has enjoyed a distinguished career of national leadership.

He has served as executive director of the ICPEL, formerly known as the National Council of Professors of Educational Administration (NCPEA). The group publishes two annual journals and facilitates member scholarship through books and textbooks that support the field and the profession.

In his capacity as Executive Director he served on the National Policy Board for Educational Administration (NPBEA) and chaired that organization from 2016-2017. NPBEA manages the accreditation process for educational leadership in the U.S. Berry has been involved in updating and revising national standards for educational leadership through the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation for the past ten years.

Berry has also served as an assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent, department head and associate dean. He was an American Council on Education fellow in 2001.

At Eastern, he teaches courses focusing on the areas of organization and administration of K-12 schools, instructional supervision and program evaluation, leadership theory and technology integration in K-12 and higher education. In 2016-2017 he was co-recipient of the Morris endowed chair through the EMU College of Education. For the past five years, he has facilitated a collaborative partnership between the Tecumseh Public Schools and Carey School in Zunyi China.

Established in 1947 as NCPEA, the International Council of Professors of Educational Leadership (ICPEL) sponsors an annual professional meeting that is held in different regions of the United States. Each annual conference is an opportunity to share findings and best practices in research, teaching, and service.  

This year’s conference theme, “Meeting the Challenges of Inclusivity in the K-20 Education System” was designed to generate discourse and quality research on inclusive education policies, procedures, and best practices for our nation’s most vulnerable youth. 

“All too often, the term ‘vulnerable youth’ is synonymous with minority students,” said Tawannah Allen, a professor at High Point University in Charlotte and the 2017-18 ICPEL president. “This conference not only allows attendees to define America’s most vulnerable youth; it also encourages K-12 teachers and leaders, along with post-secondary scholar-practitioners, to engage in critical discourse on the requisite changes to curriculum and instructional delivery, education policies, and leadership trainings. 

“Each of these themes ensures that all vulnerable youth, irrespective of race, gender, immigrant status, or sexual orientation, receive a world class education.”

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves 20,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Health and Human Services; Technology, and its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.