UB Education Professor Will Hold Distinguished Fulbright Chair at the National College of Ireland in 2004-05

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Thomas J. Shuell, Ph.D., of Niagara Falls, professor in the Department of Counseling, School and Educational Psychology, University at Buffalo Graduate School of Education, has received a 2004-05 Fulbright Scholar Award from the J. William Fulbright Foundation.

Shuell is one of only 37 of this year's 800 Fulbright scholars named to a prestigious distinguished chair at an overseas university, in his case, the Distinguished Chair of Learning and Teaching at the National College of Ireland (NCI), Dublin.

While at NCI, Shuell will conduct research, offer tutorials and seminars, mentor NCI faculty in methods of learning and teaching research, and explore with them the implications of new instructional design technologies.

Ireland is internationally recognized for its concentrated educational efforts on every academic level. The country has one of the highest education participation rates in the world, with an 81 percent high-school completion rate and a higher-education rate of 50 percent.

Shuell says he considers himself "very fortunate" to have the opportunity to help others grow from his professional expertise, adding that he himself expects to experience a good deal of professional and personal growth as well.

Recipients of Fulbright Scholar awards are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement and because they have demonstrated extraordinary leadership potential in their fields.

Shuell's research and publications are in the field of learning theories and educational paradigms, particularly the use of technology strategies, and issues of multimedia authorship.

This year's U.S. Fulbright Scholars are faculty members and professionals who will travel abroad to some 140 countries for the current academic year.

Founded in 1945 by Senator J. William Fulbright, the Fulbright Program is America's flagship international educational exchange activity, and is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.