49
VIDBE - Q Volume 6 4 Issue 1
the university and, finally, the state of Ohio. Both Dr. Tiffany Wild and Dr.
Danene Fast addressed the accreditation process, in conjunction with the
Office of Ed ucator Preparation, to ensure that final program assessments
and goals aligned with CEC and NAEYC standards.
With all of the approvals in place, applications for the ECEVI Program
went live through the university system in December of 2017. Dr. Christian
Faltis, Department Chair of Teaching and Learning, and Dr. Ruth Lowery,
Associate Department Chair of Teaching Learning, provided unwavering
support for the ECEVI Program, allowing admission for a full cohort of
undergraduate students.
In the fall of 2018 , OSU welcomed 22 students into the Inaugural
ECEVI cohort, with the understanding that they would be the first ever to
complete the program. This group is comprised of both young men and
women who are in their junior year of study at OSU. Hailing from wi thin the
state of Ohio, out - of - state, and international residences, the group is
immersing themselves in full - time coursework, navigating both general
education classes and VI specific classes, such as Visual Processes and
Braille. In addition to their cou rsework, the current cohort has been actively
engaged in the academic community, including their first professional
poster presentations at the 2018 OCALICON conference in Columbus,