EPOL Ph.D. Candidate Selected as Judge for AEA Competition

Congrats to Mostafa Hanafy on his selection as a judge for the American Evaluation Association Student Case Competition.

More: blogs.illinois.edu/view/1526/17...

Call for Proposals: The CREA IX Conference

Present at this year's CREA IX Conference 📢

Proposals are now being accepted on this year's theme: Future-Forward in Cultural Responsiveness: Opportunity, Equity, Evidence, and Innovation.

Wilson Wins Watkins Award from SPE

Congrats to Asif Wilson, assistant professor C&I, on receiving the Watkins Award from the Society of Professors in Education.

It recognizes individuals who are dedicated to curriculum studies, community engagement, socio-political and class issues, and cultural advocacy through their studies.

Dean Mouza to Serve as Chair of AERA-CURI Executive Committee

Our own Dean Mouza will serve as Chair of the Consortium of University and Research Institutions (CURI) Executive Committee of @aeraedresearch.bsky.social.

As the leader, she will help advance the field of educational research and the next generation of educational scientists and scholars.

The image is a promotional flyer for a "Book Chat" event featuring two College of Education faculty members introducing new books on educational leadership. It is scheduled for Wednesday, April 22 at 6 p.m. at The Literary, 122 N. Neil St, Champaign. The flyer includes titles by Osly Flores and Rachel Roegman, both from the EPOL department, and displays their book covers. The University of Illinois logo is in the top right corner.

We invite you to attend a special book discussion at The Literary in downtown Champaign next Wednesday, featuring EPOL professors Osly Flores and Rachel Roegman. They will share insights from their recent research and newly published works on educational leadership.

Professor Emeritus Kenneth Travers Passes Away

College of Education professor emeritus Kenneth Travers passed away on March 23, leaving behind a storied legacy. Travers, Ph.D. '65 ED, was a world-renowned researcher of mathematics education and served as the founding director of the Office for Mathematics, Science, & Technology.

A group of five people wearing blue graduation gowns and caps with orange accents stands indoors. Each has a stole with the University of Illinois logo. They are smiling and posing for a photo.

Graduation weekend is just over one month away! How are you doing on your convocation to-do list? Have you:

- Applied for graduation?
- Registered for the Education Ceremony?
- Registered for main commencement (optional)?
- Ordered your academic attire?

Info: https://bit.ly/4vkMZ70

EPOL Grad Student Earns People's Choice Award at Research Live! Competition

Congratulations to Nate Wahl, Ed.D. student in EPOL, on winning the People's Choice award at the Graduate College's Research Live! competition.

His presentation, "Teaching is Not Neutral," won the audience vote for their favorite presentation.

Kang Earns Honors from Comparative and International Education Society

Congratulations to Hyun-Sook Kang, associate professor EPOL, on being elected to two leadership positions in the Comparative and International Education Society.

Kang has been elected treasurer and also chair-elect of the Abroad and International Students special interest group.

Lane to Participate in Provost Panel on Navigating AI H. Chad Lane, professor of Educational Psychology and Curriculum & Instruction and director of the NSF-funded INVITE AI Institute, will participate in the upcoming forum hosted by the Office of the Provost.

H. Chad Lane, professor of C&I and EPSY, will participate in a panel “Navigating AI Together: Conversations on Teaching, Research, and Responsibility” on Wednesday, April 15. Please register today to attend.

More: https://blogs.illinois.edu/view/1526/474620007

Williams-Dobosz Earns Outstanding Dissertation Award Williams-Dobosz Earns Outstanding Dissertation Award Mar 31, 2026 9:30 am by Communications Office Share on Facebook Tweet var urlTemp = 'https://blogs.illinois.edu/view/1526/1635624098' Email function setCaptionWidth(alignment) { ...

Congratulations to Destiny Williams-Dobosz, Ph.D. '25 EPSY, on receiving the Outstanding Dissertation Award from the Critical Examination of Race, Ethnicity, Class, and Gender SIG of @aeraedresearch.bsky.social.

Hedrick-Shaw Recognized with AERA Dissertation Award

Congratulations to Curriculum & Instruction assistant professor Devon Hedrick-Shaw on receiving the Outstanding Dissertation Award, third place, from the Bilingual Education Research SIG of @aeraedresearch.bsky.social

Orange and blue graphic showing the University of Illinois logo. It reads: “Education #7 Curriculum & Instruction Best Graduate Program, 2026 U.S. News & World Report.”

This image features an orange block letter "I" with the word "Education" beside it. The text "#7 Educational Psychology Best Graduate Program" is prominently displayed, with "2026 U.S. News & World Report" noted below.

The image features the University of Illinois' logo alongside text stating that its Special Education Graduate Program is ranked number 9 according to the 2026 U.S. News & World Report.

With three programs ranked in the top ten, we're once again recognized as a leader in graduate student education. U.S. News and World Report has recognized us as one of the best graduate programs in the country for 2026.

Explore our full rankings:

Tapaha Wins Early Career Award from Indigenous Peoples of America SIG

Congratulations to Oliver Tapaha, assistant professor EPOL, on receiving the Bobby Wright Award for Early Career Contributions to Research in Indigenous Education by the Indigenous Peoples of the Americas SIG of @aeraedresearch.bsky.social.

More:

A group of people in blue graduation gowns and caps are smiling. They are wearing decorated stoles with messages and drawings. A banner displaying the word "leaders" is visible in the background.

It’s never too early to get your graduation apparel squared away.

Order your cap & gown and any other grad accessories before April 13 to avoid the price increase.

More Info: https://commencement.illinois.edu/caps-and-gowns/

Zhang Wins Outstanding Dissertation Award from AERA AAPI-ER SIG

Congratulations to Jiadi Zhang, Ph.D. ’25 C&I, on winning the outstanding dissertation award from the AAPI-ER SIG of AERA.

More: https://blogs.illinois.edu/view/1526/1995604228

Cooper Whitehead Named President of Regis University

Congratulations to Shawna Cooper-Whitehead, '99 Elementary Education, on being named the next president of Regis University. She joins from @bostoncollege.bsky.social where she served as vice president of student affairs.

Julian Williams

Join us tomorrow for a Fireside Chat with Julian Williams, Senior Evaluation Officer at the MacArthur Foundation. He will present “From Campus to Career: There’s No Straight Line to Impact”from 10 - noon in the O'Leary Learning Center.

More Info: https://bit.ly/47CefDQ

Chad Lane participating in a panel discussion

Next week, at the AERA Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, Education at Illinois will once again be well represented.

By the numbers:

🔸 145 people representing the College of Education
🔹 95 unique presentations or sessions
🔸 9 AERA Fellows
🔹 7 Division Officers or Committee Leaders
🔸 13 Award Winners

González Ybarra Receives Early Career Award from AERA Latinx Research SIG

Congratulations to Monica González Ybarra on receiving the Early Career Award from the Latinx Research SIG of @aeraedresearch.bsky.social.

She’ll be honored during next week’s AERA Annual Meeting in Los Angeles.

STEMming From Family: Scholarship Empowers the Next Generation of STEM Leaders Scholarships do more than fund futures—they tell stories. The new Thomas F. & Theresa S. Peters STEM Education Scholarship is a prime example. Established by alumnus Thomas T. Peters,’80, ‘82 LAS, Ed....

Growing up, Thomas Peters knew what his parents expected of him. Get a good education. 40 years and four Illinois degrees later, he’s passing on that legacy to a new generation of students.

The Thomas F. and Theresa S. Peters Education Scholarship aims to help develop tomorrow’s STEM educators.

A group of basketball players and staff are celebrating on a confetti-covered court, holding signs that read "Final Four." They are wearing matching orange and blue attire associated with the University of Illinois. The background displays banners and screens showing "South Regional Champion.

A lively crowd of University of Illinois fans celebrates energetically outdoors, holding signs reading "FINAL FOUR" from The Daily Illini. Many are smiling and wearing University of Illinois apparel, conveying excitement and joy.

A person wearing a large black hat and sunglasses is surrounded by a crowd of fans outside. The fans are holding University of Illinois merchandise, like hats and shirts, and appear excited. The scene is vibrant, with many wearing orange, celebrating or interacting with the individual in the hat.

Crowd celebrating outdoors at night, with a person holding an Illinois flag. A large building with a bell tower is in the background, illuminated by bright lights, amidst rain.

These are the good old days 🧡💙

French Connection: A Decade of Educational Experiences and Cultural Exchange What started as a week-long trip to France eleven years ago has grown into a special international partnership committed to cultural exchange and globally minded teaching and learning.

The partnership between the French Ministry of Education and the University of Illinois has allowed hundreds of students to visit France and learn.

After 10 years, the partnership is expanding with a new grant that will enhance the overseas experience our students can gain.

Alum Warren Wins 2026 AERA Award

Congratulations to Chezare Warren, ’05 Elementary Education, on winning the 2026 Scholars of Color in Education Mid-Career Contribution Award from @aeraedresearch.bsky.social as part of its 2026 awards for excellence in education research.

Kang and Doctoral Students Publish Chapter in Book on Diversity in English Language Education

A group from Education Policy, Organization & Leadership has published a chapter in a new book, Critical Perspectives on Diversity in English Language Education.

The chapter is titled Multilinguals as Legitimate Citizens in U.S. Higher Education: Collaborative Autoethnography.

Alumna Receives 2026 Student Research Award from CEC

Congratulations to Alexandra Richmond, Ph.D. '25 SPED, on receiving the Student Research Award from the @cecmembership.bsky.social. Her dissertation, Exploring Trauma-Informed Care with Black Special and General Educators, was selected in the qualitative methods area.

Inside Illinois’ Early Intervention Training Program Dr. David W. Willis, MD, FAACP, professor at Georgetown University and founder and director of Nurture Connection, recently spoke with EITP director Susan Connor to learn about how its leaders have in...

The connection between parents and their infant children isn’t always automatic. Intervention specialists can help parents develop those bonds. Susan Connor, director of EITP, spoke with David W. Willis about the program and how it supports parents and practitioners throughout Illinois.

New Clinic a Valuable Resource for Community, Mental Health Counseling Grad Students Lydia Khuri, clinical professor in Educational Psychology, co-leads the Healing, Training, and Research Clinic to help community members access free mental health counseling from graduate students gai...

Healing Training & Research Clinic co-director Lydia Khuri says they aim to provide students with hands-on experience while also serving as a much-needed resource to the community.

EPSY Alum Recognized with AERA Outstanding Dissertation Award

Congratulations to Taiylor Rayford, Ph.D. '25 @epsyatillinois.bsky.social, on receiving the Outstanding Dissertation Award from @aeraedresearch.bsky.social Division E. She will be recognized at the upcoming annual meeting in April.

More: https://blogs.illinois.edu/view/1526/1142123210

A crowd of enthusiastic fans dressed in orange and blue cheer at an Illinois basketball game. In the foreground, one fan energetically operates a large siren. The fans behind display excitement and team spirit.

I feel the madness setting in 🏀

Good luck to the Illini Men’s and Women’s basketball teams in the NCAA tournaments.

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