College of Education Announcements

YLF's O'Brien Receives Outstanding Public Engagement Award

communications@education.illinois.edu (Communications Office) — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 14:00:00 CDT

Nancy P. O'Brien, one of the organizers of the Youth Literature Festival (YLF) and Head of the Social Sciences, Health, and Education Library (SSHEL) has been awarded the 2026 Outstanding Public Engagement Award from the University of Illinois Library.

O'Brien was recognized for her work as a founding committee member of YLF.

Nominators praise her contributions to the festival and her commitment to bringing a love of literature to students. Victor Perez, Director of the Center for Education in Small Urban Communities, noted that the festival has engaged more than 12,000 students in a single cycle, citing Nancy’s “thoughtful guidance, commitment, and collaborative spirit” as key factors in the success of every festival since its inception."

Collaborators also point to Nancy’s exceptional dedication in making a program of this scale possible. Linda Tammen, former Youth Literature Festival Program Coordinator, emphasized Nancy’s wide-ranging contributions—including fundraising, donor outreach, promotional work, and leading author events and festival programming—and described her reliability as “an absolutely priceless attribute” when coordinating an event that serves thousands of students across schools and community partners.

Nancy and SSHEL will receive a $1,000 prize from the Revd. Professor Dom Bennett Hill OSB Memorial Library Fund to support outreach, social, and other promotional activities that enhance and further the Library's excellence.

OneOp to Host Military Family Readiness Academy

communications@education.illinois.edu (Communications Office) — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 12:15:00 CDT

The Military Family Readiness Academy, hosted by OneOp, will focus on Building Strong Communities for Military Family Readiness through a no-cost, four-week virtual professional development series in August. This year’s Academy highlights how communities can better support military families when providers work together, share resources, strengthen local systems, and build lasting partnerships.

The Academy runs each Wednesday in August at 10:00 a.m., beginning August 5. Sessions include:

August 5 | Partnerships that Strengthen Military Families
August 12 | Creating a Network for Military Nutrition Readiness
August 19 | Navigating Child Care Barriers and Their Effect on Military Spouse Employment
August 26 | Building Strong Communities: A Panel Discussion

All sessions are available live and on-demand with continuing education credits across multiple disciplines. Related Practicing Connection podcast episodes will also be released each Thursday following the live webinars.

The Academy is designed for a broad professional audience, including Extension professionals, community development practitioners, state and local leaders, nonprofits, military family service providers, and community organizations. Together, participants will explore strategies to build partnerships, strengthen local systems, and improve support for military families across communities.

OneOp is a grant partially housed in the Department of Special Education, with professors Micki Ostrosky and Amy Santos serving as Principal Investigators. OneOp collaborates with the War Department and the US Department of Agriculture to provide free, open-access learning opportunities across a full spectrum of family service subject areas.

Learn more and register at https://oneop.org/building-strong-communities-for-military-family-readiness/.

Altshuler Named Associate Editor of Mathematics Teacher: Learning and Teaching PK–12

communications@education.illinois.edu (Communications Office) — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 20:30:00 CDT

Dr. Mari Altshuler, Teaching Assistant Professor of Curriculum & Instruction, has been selected as an Associate Editor of Mathematics Teacher: Learning and Teaching PK–12 (MTLT) for the elementary grades.

During her three-year term, Altshuler will collaborate with other journal editors, recruit and support authors, read manuscripts and reviews, and make decisions about articles for upcoming issues of the journal.

As described on its website, “MTLT reflects the current practices of mathematics education, as well as maintaining a knowledge base of practice and policy in looking at the future of the field." It is published monthly.

Xie, Ratner Publish Paper in Journal of Research on Adolescence

communications@education.illinois.edu (Communications Office) — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 14:45:00 CDT

Educational Psychology doctoral student Hou Xie, and assistant professor Kaylin Ratner are co-authors of a paper that has been published in the Journal of Research on Adolescence.

Their article is titled "Establishing validity and measurement invariance of the Claremont Purpose Scale (CPS) among adolescents from diverse racial–ethnic backgrounds."

"This work is important because the meaning of “purpose” remains somewhat broad and contested, both in academic research and in everyday conversations," says Xie. "Our paper speaks to an inclusive understanding of purpose by suggesting that adolescents’ sense of purpose does not necessarily have to come from a grand beyond-the-self vision—a necessary, but restrictive, ingredient according to some leading scholars in the field. Instead, our work suggests that youth purpose may need to be defined in broader and more developmentally appropriate ways."

Read the full study here.

EPOL Ed.D. Student Wins Best Poster at NAFSA

communications@education.illinois.edu (Communications Office) — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 13:45:00 CDT

Maria Alejandra Quintero, an Ed.D. student in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership, was selected for a Best Poster award at the NAFSA: Association of International Educators conference in Orlando, FL.

Her poster was titled "Designing Global Partnerships for Lasting Dual Degree and 2+2 Programs." It presented a framework for designing sustainable global–local partnerships based on Quality Learning University’s (QLU) 28 years of experience with U.S. dual degree and 2+2 programs. Attendees learn key components, challenges, and replicable strategies for building or strengthening international academic collaborations.

Quintero currently serves as Academic Dean at QLU in Bellavista, Panamá.

González Ybarra Elected As Research Trustee for NCTE

communications@education.illinois.edu (Communications Office) — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 10:15:00 CDT

Mónica González Ybarra, associate professor Curriculum & Instruction, has been elected as Research Foundation Trustee for the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).

González Ybarra will serve a three-year term beginning later this year. She will support the Foundation’s Cultivating New Voices of Scholars of Color program, review and rate research grant proposals, and make decisions on awarding funding and administering the Foundation’s resources to promote more equitable educational environments for students and teachers.

For more than 100 years, NCTE has worked with its members to offer journals, publications, and resources; to further the voice and expertise of educators as advocates for their students at the local and federal levels; and to share lesson ideas, research, and teaching strategies through its Annual Convention and other professional learning events.

Rodriguez Co-Authors Article on Latine K-12 Educators in Teachers College Record

communications@education.illinois.edu (Communications Office) — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 16:15:00 CDT

Gabriel Rodriguez, assistant professor Education Policy, Organization & Leadership, has co-authored an article published in Teachers College Record.

The article examines the experiences of Latine high school educators across different suburban schools outside of Chicago, Illinois. The study’s findings focus on how participants complicated the levels of support they received, as they felt pigeonholed and struggled to develop boundaries, and felt a sense of obligación (obligation) to serve the needs of their Latine students.

Additionally, the findings highlight how participants leveraged their cultural and linguistic identities to facilitate conexiones (connections) and create spaces that affirmed their students.

Rodriguez credits the Dean’s Summer Research Funding Award for being able to work with Marisol Jimenez, Ph.D. '26 EPOL, along with Julissa Carreño '26 LAS, for their important contributions as co-authors.

Read the full article

EPOL Trio Publish Study On Climate Change and AI

communications@education.illinois.edu (Communications Office) — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 09:45:00 CDT

A survey of Illinois K-12 teachers in late 2025 offers a snapshot of two forces reshaping classroom practice: the integration of AI into education and the upcoming 2026 implementation of the statewide climate change education mandate.

Samantha Lindgren, assistant professor EPOL, along with Ph.D. student Aigul Rakisheva and postdoctoral researcher Carine Verschueren, published their findings through Lindgren’s Sustainable Futures Lab.

Surveying nearly 1,000 Illinois teachers, the study found that teachers are engaged with contemporary issues in AI and sustainability and are concerned about their implications, but are left to decide how to incorporate each into their teaching practice and classrooms.

This research is part of a broader sustainability education initiative within the College of Education. The Sustainable Futures Lab explores Sustainability Education, including Environmental Education, Education for Sustainable Development, and Education for Sustainability, in domestic and international contexts.

Read the full report here.

EPSY Cohort To Be Published in the The Journal of Experimental Education

communications@education.illinois.edu (Communications Office) — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 11:30:00 CDT

Assistant Professors Kaylin Ratner, Jessica Gladstone, Aixa Marchand, and doctoral student Hou Xie, all of Educational Psychology, recently had their paper selected for publication in The Journal of Experimental Education.

The paper introduces eudaimonic utility (EU): the perception that an environment can help someone become the person they are meant to be. An environment with a high EU is seen as a place where one can pursue one's purpose in life, grow, bring out one's best, and live authentically.

Ratner credits her participation in the College's Public Engagement Faculty Fellows program, where the research began, and her long-time research-practitioner partners at GripTape.

Education Students Earn Honors from Undergraduate Research Symposium

communications@education.illinois.edu (Communications Office) — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 10:45:00 CDT

Several groups of Education undergraduate students were recognized for their presentations at the Undergraduate Research Symposium last month. Congratulations to all presenters on their hard work and research. Overall, 26 groups of students from the College of Education presented their research at this year’s symposium.

Outstanding Poster Presentations

Visualizing Trends in the University of Illinois’s Average GPA using Subject Clusters
Isha Tyagi, Freshman, CS + Education
Artificial Incompetence: AI’s Failures in Interpreting Graphs
Ava Graczyk, Freshman, Learning & Education Studies
Madeline Hunt, Senior, Psychology
Literacy Education and Initiatives: A Case Study of Two Illinois Elementary Schools
Audrey Armour, Freshman, Elementary Education
Research Mentor(s): Adam Poetzel, Curriculum & Instruction

Outstanding Oral Presentations & Performances

IGlobal Preservice Teachers’ Perceptions and Adaptation of Digital Literacy Strategies in Online Multicultural Teaching and Learning Environments
Jiayi Zhong, Junior, Nondegree, EDU
Chi Wai Tong, Junior, Nondegree, EDU
Pamela Olivia Bunyamin, Junior, Nondegree, EDU
Yixi Yuan, Junior, Nondegree, EDU
(Research Mentor(s): Martin Lehrer, Curriculum & Instruction)

Wilson Documentary Wins Telly Award

communications@education.illinois.edu (Communications Office) — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 10:30:00 CDT

Against the Current, a documentary produced by Curriculum & Instruction assistant professor Asif Wilson, has received a Telly Award.

The film received a bronze in the General Documentary category. Against the Current follows Kyla Nash, a Chicago Public Schools student, as she explores Black history and resistance throughout Illinois’ history.

The Telly Awards honor excellence in video and television across all screens. Established in 1979, The Telly Awards receive over 13,000 entries globally. Entrants are judged by The Telly Awards Judging Council—an industry body of over 250 leading experts, including advertising agencies, production companies, and major television networks —reflecting the multi-screen industry The Telly Awards celebrates.

Lindgren Appears on Made to Lead Podcast from Illinois Leadership Center

communications@education.illinois.edu (Communications Office) — Tue, 19 May 2026 15:30:00 CDT

Robb Lindgren, associate dean for research, professor C&I and EPSY, recently appeared on the Illinois Leadership Center’s Made to Lead podcast.

In the episode, Robb discusses how people can be effective leaders, especially when working with new and emerging technologies.

Hosted by Illinois students, The Made to Lead podcast was created to deliver leadership education in a fun and easily digestible way. The podcast recently wrapped up its sixth season. The podcast is available on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Illinois Early Learning Project Provides Resources for Severe Weather Prep

communications@education.illinois.edu (Communications Office) — Tue, 19 May 2026 15:00:00 CDT

With severe weather becoming more frequent in the spring, the Illinois Early Learning Project is highlighting resources to help educators prepare for safety drills and warnings.

Their blog Planning Ahead: Preparing for a Safety Drill provides insight into ways to make safety drills less stressful for children when they happen.

Along with the blog, IEL offers resources for educators, including tip sheets, videos, podcasts, standards, and guidelines for a variety of topics to help educators and parents alike. Many of these resources are available in common languages spoken by families of young children in Illinois.

The Illinois Early Learning Project is a source of evidence-based, reliable information on early care and education for families, caregivers, and teachers of young children in Illinois.

EPOL Postdoc Featured in Hechinger Report

communications@education.illinois.edu (Communications Office) — Wed, 13 May 2026 09:15:00 CDT

Carine Verschueren, a post-doctoral researcher in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership, was featured in a recent Hechinger Report newsletter.

The newsletter featured research from a conference organized by the Brown University SustainableED program, at which Verschueren presented.

From the article:

“After participating in a math lesson incorporating information on renewable energy, U.S. students were more likely to say they knew about climate change and felt some hope about combating it. Children in India who learned about air pollution in arts lessons were more likely to understand the environmental problem, but not necessarily to change their behavior in ways that might alleviate it.”

Verschueren’s research found that 60 of the nation’s 200 largest school districts have adopted environmental and sustainability policies compared to 51 in 2020. A growing share of the policies discuss climate change and climate justice, often because of activism from students, whose role was mentioned in many of the documents, Verschueren said. School districts were motivated to adopt the policies for a variety of reasons — including conserving resources, promoting student and staff health, saving money, and empowering students.

Corr Reflects on Experience in the Emerging Research Leader Academy

bcknghm@illinois.edu (Orion Buckingham) — Tue, 12 May 2026 14:15:00 CDT

Catherine Corr, associate professor C&I SPED, was a member of the 2025-26 Emerging Research Leaders Academy (ERLA). In a recent article from the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute, she reflected on her experiences in the program.

She credited ERLA with helping her “lay the groundwork” for a new partnership between the College of Education and the newly formed Illinois Department of Early Childhood.

“I want to make sure [the university] is well-positioned to ‘connect the dots’ in ways that will build a cohesive early childhood research ecosystem for Illinois,” Corr told IHSI. “Many of the lessons I take away from this experience have helped in that process.”

Designed to support mid-career faculty and researchers, ERLA provides vital leadership and team science training that will help faculty pursue large, multi-PI grants, lead campus research initiatives, enhance their own research programs, and ultimately position the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for even greater research excellence.

IHSI is accepting nominations for the 2026-27 ERLA program. We are seeking associate or recently promoted full professors who have not yet led a large, multi-PI grant or campus initiative, as well as non-tenure track faculty and research scientists with a record of independent funding as single-PIs who are now looking to lead larger efforts. Nominations are vital to the success of the Emerging Research Leaders Academy, helping the Selection Committee to identify and support future leaders who will drive innovation and excellence in research.

Participants must be nominated by a department head, dean, or director before applying. Nominations are due May 29, 2026.

Read the full article from the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute.

Urbana Park District to Host Rest Event for Educators

communications@education.illinois.edu (Communications Office) — Tue, 12 May 2026 13:30:00 CDT

The Urbana Park District is hosting an event aimed at preventing teacher burnout. This event will be held at the Health and Wellness Center, 2002 E. Washington St., Urbana, on June 7 from 2 - 3:30 p.m.

This 90-minute program offers teachers, education workers, and support staff a rare, guided experience of genuine rest - gentle movement, journaling, and meditation followed by a comfy group nap complete with pillows, blankets, bolsters, and soothing music. No agenda, no output, no productivity. Just rest.

The session costs $5 for Urbana residents and $8 for non-residents. Registration includes a goodie bag.

Please register prior to attending.

Anderson to Receive Honorary Degree from Cal State Fullerton

communications@education.illinois.edu (Communications Office) — Tue, 12 May 2026 12:00:00 CDT

James D. Anderson, Gutsgell professor emeritus and dean emeritus, will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from California State University, Fullerton at their College of Education's commencement ceremony on May 18.

“Cal State Fullerton’s mission centers on enriching lives, cultivating scholarly inquiry and critical thinking, and fostering dynamic inclusivity and social responsibility. Dr. Anderson has dedicated his career to precisely these ideals,” said CSUF President Ronald Rochon Ph.D. '97 EPOL. “This honorary doctorate recognizes a scholar whose life’s work exemplifies American education, championing the stories of those historically marginalized, and mentoring the next generation of educators and scholars.”

“I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from Cal State Fullerton and the California State University system. CSUF’s enduring commitment to inclusive excellence and its transformative power of education and access resonates profoundly with the work that has guided my career,” said Anderson. “I am heartened by the future generations of educators that the CSU continues to create — leaders who will carry forward the significant work of cultivating critical inquiry, social responsibility, and service to others.”

Illinois Global Institute Names Four from EPOL to Fellowships

communications@education.illinois.edu (Communications Office) — Wed, 06 May 2026 13:30:00 CDT

The Illinois Global Institute, a unit within the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, has selected four students from Education Policy, Organization & Leadership for awards and fellowships.

Aidana Sirgebayeva received a Graduate Summer Research Award for her research “Mixed Methods Study of Faculty Research Experiences: Case of Kazakhstan.” Russian, Eastern European, and Eurasian Center. Summer research awards provide Illinois graduate students with up to $3,500 to support travel outside the United States, thereby contributing to the development of a dissertation or thesis project that draws on international research.

Three EPOL students will participate in the Graduate Language Fellowship. This program provides support for language training needed to conduct research or to meet other professional development needs. The fellowship offers a $22,000 stipend for the 2026-2027 academic year to support graduate students at the MA or Ph.D. level.

Recipients, the language they will be studying, and the center or program that is providing support, are:

Asmaa Elsayed. Arabic. Center for the Study of Global Gender Equity
Mar Roig Ripoll. Portuguese. Center for Global Studies
Jordan Troisi. Chinese-Mandarin. Center for Global Studies

Four from Education at Illinois Named 2026 CUSF Shining Stars

communications@education.illinois.edu (Communications Office) — Tue, 05 May 2026 13:45:00 CDT

Four alumnae from Education at Illinois were named Shining Stars by the Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation (CUSF). These teachers, along with other educators and support staff whose dedication, innovation, and enthusiasm make a meaningful impact in the classroom, will be recognized on April 6 at the CUSF Spring Fling.

Bios and nomination information courtesy of the News-Gazette:

Lindsay Aikman, '03 Elementary Education: Not only is Centennial‘s assistant girls coach among C-U’s most passionate soccer promoters, the English and AVID teacher also goes above and beyond to empower her students at Centennial High. As nominator Meghan Siwecki put it: “She pushes students to their potential, and they feel success.” Her work as an AVID teacher has “opened doors for students through college applications, career connections, and even full scholarships.”

Anna Blacker, '10 Elementary Education: The South Side Elementary instructional coach “works tirelessly to provide our students and staff with unique, rewarding learning experiences, and is the best cheerleader every step of the way,” art teacher Amy Lozar wrote about Blacker, who’s known for forging innovative partnerships that benefit her students. Among them: hands-on learning experiences with the U. of I’s Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology.

Cheryl Morton, Ed.M. ’15 SPED: The Central High special education teacher with nearly 16 years of service “goes out of her way to make our class and our school run, taking on extra assignments and roles where she is needed, and doing so with a warm, welcoming smile that makes students feel at home and secure in any space she is,” co-teacher and nominator Cameron Pope wrote of Morton, whose “impact is felt far beyond the classroom.”

Stacy Arie, Ed.M. ’99, ’06 EPOL: “She is always ready, always calm, always on point and executes lessons that provide students with the best opportunities to use language in a variety of domains,” fellow Centennial ESL teacher Katy Lohmeyer wrote about the high school’s multilingual learners department chair. The “steady, humble” Arie can frequently be found putting in extra time to tutor students, monitor their progress, and coordinate complex schedules.

Bruno Named Kane County High School Teacher of the Year

communications@education.illinois.edu (Communications Office) — Tue, 05 May 2026 13:30:00 CDT

Dominic Bruno, '08 LAS Secondary Education, has been named High School Teacher of the Year by the Regional Office of Education of Kane County.

Bruno is an English teacher at Kaneland High School. He also serves as a basketball coach and a journalism advisor.

He says he wants students to "have fun in my class. So the balance I have to try and strike is that the classes I teach are rigorous. But if I can get students to walk in excited, smiling, talking to each other as they come in, that’s the environment that I always want."

Pierce Awarded AERA Minority Dissertation Fellowship

communications@education.illinois.edu (Communications Office) — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 13:45:00 CDT

Congratulations to Gariel Pierce, a Ph.D. candidate in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership, who has been awarded a prestigious and competitive American Educational Research Association (AERA) Minority Dissertation Fellowship in Education Research for 2026-27.

Pierce is pursuing a doctoral double concentration in History of Education and Social Sciences and Education Policy. Prior to attending Illinois, she was a passionate and award-winning fourth-grade educator in South Carolina. Her research primarily focuses on the historical intersections of education, race, discipline, punishment, and policy. As an interdisciplinary scholar, she merges history with the contemporary.

Pierce is currently working on a project that explores the history of corporal punishment and its connection to the School-Prison Nexus. Pierce will present her research at the 2027 AERA Annual Meeting and participate in a mentoring workshop with senior scholars.

The fellowship award is $25,000 and officially begins on July 1, when AERA will announce all Minority Dissertation Fellows in Education Research for 2026-27.

Chhikara Wins Outstanding Asian and American Graduate Student Award

communications@education.illinois.edu (Communications Office) — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 12:45:00 CDT

Praveen Chhikara, a Ph.D. candidate in Curriculum & Instruction, was recognized by the Asian American Cultural Center with the Outstanding Asian & Asian American Graduate Student Leader Award. He accepted the award at the AACC annual ceremony on Monday, April 20, 2026, at Alice Campbell Alumni Center.

The award recognizes graduate and professional students for excellence in developing and implementing programs for the Asian American campus community, excellence and innovation in classroom instruction that furthers knowledge of Asian American communities, and/or excellence in research that promotes awareness of Asian American issues. Award consideration favors nominees who have exemplified leadership over several semesters on our campus and will soon be graduating.

Chhikara's research focuses on how Indian and the global history of mathematics can support in teaching mathematics today. His research interests stem from his experience teaching mathematics to undergraduate and graduate students for around six years before joining the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

EJP Wins Research and Advocacy Award from Social Justice Education

communications@education.illinois.edu (Communications Office) — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 15:00:00 CDT

The Education Justice Project (EJP) recently received the Research and Advocacy Award from Diversity & Social Justice Education, a unit of the university's Division of Student Affairs.

EJP was recognized for their Prison-to-Gown Pathway (PGP) program. PGP supports Illinois students who are formerly incarcerated or otherwise impacted by incarceration, such as having an incarcerated parent, and also helps future Illini navigate the application and appeals process.

“This award ultimately belongs to the students as a reflection of their strength, their brilliance, and their determination," said PGP director Chrissy Ferree. "Our role is simply to make sure the path is navigable and that barriers do not stand in the way of what they have already worked so hard to achieve.”

Ed.D. Alum Named Unit 4 Chief Human Resources Officer

communications@education.illinois.edu (Communications Office) — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 14:15:00 CDT

Alejandro Gomez, Ed.D. '25 EPOL, has been hired as the Chief Human Resources Officer for the Champaign Unit 4 school district.

Gomez has served as the Associate Director of System Human Resources for the University of Illinois System since 2023. He also served on the leadership team of the University of Illinois Counseling Center for 11 years.

Gomez told the News-Gazette that he’ll approach his new role with "curiosity, questions, and a people-centered" focus. He was one of four appointments made to Superintendent Geovanny Ponce's leadership team at Monday's school board meeting.

Ph.D. Student Project Runner-Up at Cozad New Venture Challenge

communications@education.illinois.edu (Communications Office) — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 14:00:00 CDT

Jen Whiting, Ph.D. candidate in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership, was part of a team chosen as runner-up at the 2026 Cozad New Venture Challenge from the Grainger College of Engineering's Technology Entrepreneur Center. The team earned a $5,000 award for their project development.

Whiting’s team, AI/O, is a training platform that helps police officers practice high-stakes communications through realistic, repeatable simulations with measurable performance feedback, using artificial intelligence. Police receive extensive firearms training but limited, inconsistent communication training, despite most encounters relying on verbal interaction. AI/O provides scalable, scenario-based training that enables officers to repeatedly practice and refine their communication, improving decision-making, safety, and outcomes.

Her team, which includes Duo Wang, Ph.D. student in the College of Media, and Computer Science student Kyrian Liang, was also recognized with the Best Pitch award. The $5,000 Finals Best Pitch award recognizes teams that excel in conveying a compelling vision using their visual aids and sharing information in an organized way within the time constraints.