The Graduate College has recognized two graduate students from the College of Education for their annual Leadership Awards.
Megan Best, a doctoral student in Special Education, and Elizabeth Coder, a doctoral student in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership, were among four students recognized for outstanding service that positively impacts the campus and broader communities. Both received Special Recognition in Graduate Student Leadership.
Best spearheaded initiatives to promote campus-wide discussions on the inclusion and accessibility of students and individuals with disabilities. The objective was to inform future practices on campus and foster community-based relationships to better serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Coder worked to create sustainable volunteer systems with Books to Prisoners to improve the process and delivery of donated materials to incarcerated individuals. She has also been involved with the U of I community by serving on various committees and establishing the EPOL Graduate Student Association to address student isolation during COVID-19.
