Dear Friends and Colleagues,
As I conclude my first academic year at the University of Illinois, and my first as dean of the College of Education, I want to thank the many groups and individuals who have made this the most welcoming, positive, and productive experience I could have imagined. While there are numerous highlights from the 2022-23 academic year to celebrate, I will share just a few here.
Last week, the White House and the National Science Foundation announced $140 million in funding to launch seven new National AI Research Institutes. The College of Education will lead one of these, the AI Institute for Inclusive Intelligent Technologies for Education (INVITE). H. Chad Lane, a professor of Educational Psychology and PI of INVITE, along with Education professors Rodney Hopson, Robb Lindgren, Luc Paquette, Jina Kang, and Jessica Gladstone, joins faculty researchers from the Grainger College of Engineering and the University of Florida and Temple University to reach 96,000 youths across 24 school districts that will be engaged in enhanced STEM learning using INVITE platforms. This is the largest research grant ever awarded to the College of Education at Illinois, and is a testament to our institution's preeminence in the multi-faceted, collaborative educational technology space.
Another reason for applause are the College of Education's graduate programs, which are once again top-ranked by U.S. News and World Report. Namely, this year our Online Master's in Education Degree program is #3 in the nation and our on-campus Graduate Programs are all ranked in the top 25. Education at Illinois continues to be recognized as the highly-regarded institution of outstanding scholarship and service that it is.
Finally this spring, we celebrate our exceptionally talented and robust Class of 2023 that will cross the Convocation stage in Champaign on their journey to make the world a better place through education. There is no better feeling in higher education than the celebration that ends with the turning of the tassels.
Wishing you many celebrations this spring and a restorative summer ahead.
Yours in Orange and Blue,
Chrystalla Mouza
Dean, College of Education
