On Thursday, September 18, 2025, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) announced that Dickinson State University (DSU) was the recipient of the prestigious Frank Murray Leadership Recognition for Continuous Improvement.
DSU was the only North Dakota teacher preparation program recognized for this year’s honor. Joan Aus, dean of the School of Education, and Amy Grinsteinner, assistant professor of education and assistant dean of the School of Education, traveled to Washington, D.C., to accept the award on behalf of the institution.
“This recognition affirms the outstanding work that teacher education faculty, in collaboration with their P-12 partners, perform daily,” Aus said. “We are committed to being student-centered and assessment-driven.”
“This award means our Teacher Education Program provided clear evidence of data trends that achieved accreditation with no stipulations or areas for improvement,” Grinsteinner said. “I’m gratified that our accreditors recognize that we are committed to supporting continuous improvement and preparing our teacher candidates to succeed in diverse P-12 classrooms.”
“This national recognition affirms the strength of Dickinson State University’s teacher preparation program and the dedication of our faculty, staff, and school partners,” said Dr. Holly Gruhlke, vice president of academic affairs and provost. “It is a proud moment for DSU and reflects our ongoing commitment to excellence, innovation, and preparing workforce-ready teachers who will make a lasting impact in their classrooms and communities.”
The 2025 Frank Murray Leadership Recognition for Continuous Improvement was awarded to a group that demonstrated documented exceptional commitment to excellence and continuous growth, earning accreditation with no recommended areas for improvement identified. Larry Daniel, CAEP accreditation team chair, praised DSU for fostering a “special synergy between faculty, students, and its K-12 partners, facilitating a strong collaborative environment.”
“Frank Murray was passionate about education preparation, a prominent leader in our profession, and an advocate for evidence to improve education,” said Yuhang Rong, chair of the CAEP Board of Directors. “The providers that CAEP is recognizing are committed to continuous improvement and preparing their students to succeed in a diverse range of classrooms after they graduate. CAEP accreditation is a sign of commitment to quality through purposeful use of evidence. The Murray Leadership Recognition recipients should be proud of their accomplishments.”
Recipients of the 2025 Frank Murray Leadership Recognition for Continuous Improvement were selected from educator preparation providers (EPPs) that received initial accreditation from CAEP in the previous year. To qualify for this recognition, EPPs must present a comprehensive set of evidence showing demonstrated data trends with no stipulations or areas requiring improvement. These recognized providers promote equity and excellence in educator preparation by effectively utilizing self-study procedures and evidence-based reporting, which ensure quality and support continuous improvement in P-12 learning. The EPPs also implement inquiries and assessments to establish quality assurance systems that drive ongoing enhancements.
CAEP accreditation serves two main purposes: accountability and continuous improvement. To date, 541 educator preparation providers across 43 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates have received accreditation under CAEP standards. The CAEP accreditation process evaluates the performance of these providers, with a particular focus on ensuring that their candidates are adequately prepared for the demanding responsibilities they will encounter in classrooms. Approximately 600 educator preparation providers are participating in the CAEP accreditation system, including some that were previously accredited under former standards.