ÀË»¨Ö±²¥

Betty Ann Ernst Bauer (BS '65) has written a book of historical fiction for upper elementary-grade children about Ancestral Puebloan life in the American Southwest. Published by Portamento, is a story of three children whose families migrated from Mesa Verde in the late 1200s. [July 2014]

Judith Lese ('69, M.Ed. '74) retired after 53 years of teaching. She was a classroom teacher for five different schools in Montgomery County Public Schools, MD. [July 2022]

Dr. Bernice R. Sandler (Ph.D. '69) has become known as the . 

Carol Scott ('69) was awarded the 2024 ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ College of Education Outstanding Exempt Award. [May 2024]

Dr. Darla Fishbein Strouse (BA '67, Ed.D. '04) wrote and won a grant from Sinai and Synapsis and the Sir John Templeton Fund to have research scientists from ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ard County, MD, present five science presentations with religious interpretations and relationships discussed using the Old Testament and other Jewish texts that connect ancient ideas to modern scientific discovery. [July 2023]

Dennis D. Urban ('69) wrote the book The Making of a Civilian Solider in the Civil War: the First Diary of Private William J. McLean Along the C & O Canal and the Affair at Edwards Ferry, published by New Academia Publishing.  [July 2022]

William D. Wargo Ed.D. ('68) served as a professor of industrial education for 35 years before retiring. He then earned a Marine Sea Turtle permit from the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission, serving as the director of the Alligator Point Sea Patrol from 2004 to 2021. [July 2022]

Dr. Maurice Dorsey '70, Ph.D. '83 was inducted into the Sigma Chapter, Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Society at the University of ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ in 2022. [July 2023]

Dr. Jacqueline Brown-Frierson '71 was the first Black female Resident Assistant (R.A.) serving in Denton Hall. [May 2023]

James Fielder M.Ed. '72 served as the Secretary of Higher Education for the State of ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ from 2015 to 2023. 

Judith Freeman Garey '70 had her book , published by National Council of Teachers of English [July 2023]

Cheryl Garnette '78 was named 2023 Prince George's County Nonprofit Leader of the Year by the Greater Washington ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ Foundation. 

Thomas Grites Ph.D. '74 received a 2024 ACPA Lifetime Achievement Award. [March 2024]

	Heather Hammer (M.A. '73) published her first historical fiction book:, the story of her great-great-grandmother who lived in the 1800s in the remote Shetland Islands and raised nine children with many hardships but much resilience. [January 2024]

Lee Havis (M.Ed. '74) published the book , based on his decades of work with the International Montessori Society, which he established in 1979. [March 2024]

Valerie Stasik (BS '70) published her first novel, [July 2014]

Jim Wharton (BS '73) retired after forty years of service as a music teacher in schools around Baltimore, most recently Catonsville High, where he has taught since 1988. [July 2014]

	Carey Wright ('72, M.S. '76, Ed.D. '94) was named by the ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ Board of Education as the permanent state superintendent of public schools. [April 2024]

Agnesanne Danehey (Ph.D. '88) was awarded the 2024 ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ College of Education Excellence in Outreach Award. [May 2024]

Barbara Friedlander ('85, M.A. '90) was named the Learning Disabilities Associations Sam Kirk Educator of the Year. [February 2024]

	Rocky Lopes (BS '80), was elected to the University of ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ Alumni Association Board of Governors.  [July 2023]

Mary (Conrad) Skowronski (BA '85, '87) retired after 36 years of teaching English in ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ serving Anne Arundel, Charles, and Frederick Counties. [May 2023]

Dr. Gena Glickman (Ph.D. '92) was re-elected as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Commission on Higher Education Accreditation in 2023. She was also named president emerita in 2018, of Manchester ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ College. [July 2023]

Dr. Marsha Guenzler-Stevens (Ph.D. '93) has been honored by the NASPA Women's Center with the Zenobia Hikes Award in recognition of her commitment to the advancement of women in higher education and student affairs. [July 2014]

	John Heneghan ('97) has been recognized as the 2024 Wash100 Award winner by Executive Mosaic, an international leadership organization and media company. [2024]

Jason Jaffe ('94) is in his 29th year at Central Bucks School District in Bucks County, PA, where he serves as the Director of Technology and Innovation. [2023]

Steven E. Jones (Ph.D. '96) is co-author of a recently released bestselling Amazon book on how to build and sustain highly effective teams that get results, . [March 2024].

Alison Jovanovic ('98) was awarded the 2024 ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ College of Education Excellence in Service Award [May 2024]

Steve Koppi (M.Ed. '92) serves as the Executive Director of Boston University's outstanding Center for Career Development. [March 2024]

	Mitra Mahmoudi De Souza (M.Ed. '98) has published her book, The Fragile, which will be coming out in July 2024.

Dr. Alice Mitchell (Ph.D.'97) published the book . [November 2022]

Bryan Palma (M.Ed. '99) was appointed to the Board of Directors for CloudBees, Inc. [May 2024]

William "Bill" Phalen Jr. ('94) is in his 30th year in education and first year as Principal of Woodland Park Middle School in Woodland Park, Colorado. Prior to this roll, Bill served as a band and orchestra director for 25 years in ÀË»¨Ö±²¥, Texas, and Colorado. [November 2023]

MollyBeth Jacobs Rushfield (BS '91) was named inaugural recipient of the [February 2023]

Lisa Stuart Whitehead (BS '98) received the Gilbert A. Clark & Enid Zimmerman Leadership and Advocacy Award during the 2023 National Art Education Association (NAEA) National Convention [April 2023]

Christy Tirrell-Corbin (Ph.D. '96) was selected as a Dean Impact Professor at the ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ College of Education. [2023]

Carey Wright ('72, M.S. '76, Ed.D. '94) was appointed Interim State Superintendent of Education by ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ Board of Education [2023]

Tiki Ayiku (M.Ed. '05) is the Vice President for Education and Events at U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). [March 2024]

Tess Barker ('03) serves as the Executive Director at the Association for Student Conduct Administration (ASCA). [2023]

Dr. Darnell Barnett (BS '04) completed his Doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Liberty University in 2022. He currently teaches virtually with Proximity Learning and has worked for both Prince George's County Public Schools and Montgomery County Public Schools. [August 2023]

Dr. Carolyn McNamra Barry (Ph.D. '01) received the Professional Achievement Alumni Award from her undergraduate alma mater, Ursinus College. Thus award recognizes an individual who has reached significant professional achievements through exemplary leadership.[July 2023] She was also appointed as dean of the University of Scranton's College of Arts and Sciences. [April 2024]

James "Jim" Berry (Ph.D. '01) serves as a member of the initial cohort of MSDE's Expert Review Team, supporting implementation of the Blueprint for ÀË»¨Ö±²¥'s Future. [2023]

	Eve Case ('03) was named the 2023 winner of the by the National Social Studies Supervisors Association, a part of the National Council for the Social Studies.

Dr. Truphena Choti (Ph.D. '09) founded AfriThrive in 2019 and began broader efforts to support a growing refugee community in nearby Riverdale Park (Prince George’s County) – all this, while still working a fulltime job in International Development. During the pandemic, they partnered with DC Central Kitchen to organize weekly food distributions at a local church in Aspen Hill. Distributions expanded to locations in Gaithersburg and Baltimore, with additional partnerships with 4P Foods and Manna Food Center. By 2022, the organization had distributed more than 1 million pounds of food. AfriThrive recently launched an initiative called the Balozi Advocacy Program.

Sara Goodman Confino ’02, M.Ed. ’03 released her newest bestselling book, . 

Dr. Chris Conzen (M.Ed. '01) is Executive Director of the College's new Secaucus Center at the Frank J. Gargiulo Campus of Hudson County Schools of Technology. [2024]

Vanessa Gibson ('07) has co-founded a nonprofit called , which offers various learning opportunities for underserved teens. [April 2024]

Cara Grant (B.S. '01) co-authored the book with Troy Boddy. [January 2024]

Dawn Johnson (Ph.D. '07) received a 2024 ACPA award. 

	Kim Johnson (M.Ed. '03) is an award-winning author who published her newest book . [February 2024]

Dr. Jennie Lee-Kim (Ph.D. '04) was awarded the 2024 ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ College of Education Excellence in Teaching Award [March 2024]

Karol Martinez (M.Ed. '07) received the 2024 ACPA Nancy J. Evans Voices of Inclusion Award Recipient. [March 2024]

Irma Najarro ('03) was named as a finalist for Teacher of the Year for Montgomery County Public Schools [August 2022]

Dr. Julie Owen (Ph.D. '08) was featured on the in episode 209: A Reseach Agenda for Leadership Learning and Development through Higher Education [March 2024]

Dr. Heather Ruetschlin Schugar ('01, M.S. '05, Ph.D. '08) was named one of the 150 Most Influential Women at West Chester University of Pennsylvania where she is a professor of Educational Leadership and Literacy and is the director of the doctoral programs in Educational Leadership and Higher Education Administration. [August 2023]

	Josh Schneider ('04) founded to provide transportation and lodging for blind hockey players. Learn more about .

Dr. Trisha Shalka (M.Ed. '08) released a new book, [March 2024]

Dr. Sean Simone (Ph.D. '09) left his full time position at Rutgers University to become Branch Chief of the Longitudinal Surveys Branch at the National Center for Education Statistics in the U.S. Department of Education. The Branch houses the Early childhood Longitudinal Studies Program, the Secondary Longitudinal Studies Program, and the Postsecondary Longitudinal Survey Studies Program. [July 2023]

Daniel Singley (M.A. '03, Ph.D. '05) serves as the president of the American Psychological Association's Division of Men & Masculinities. [2024]

	Mary Truman (M.Ed.'04) was named 2023 Teacher of the Year by Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS). Mary teaches preschoolers with autism at Kenmoor Early Childhood Center and is a 22-year veteran PGCPS educator.  [May 2023]
	Irene M. Zoppi '04 was promoted to brigadier general in August 2017, marking her as the first Puerto Rican woman to hold the rank of general in the U.S. Army Reserve.

Jamie Adasi (M.Ed.'13) lead a global DEI team that has won numerous awards for culture and impact. [May 2023]

Dr. Jorge Baxter (Ph.D. '16) was named Dean of the College of Education (Facultad e Education) of the Universidad de los Andres in Bogota, Columbia. [January 2024]

	Dr. Carlos Beato (Ed.D. '19) started , an educational consulting organization to support school teams in providing excellent services for multilingual learners. [May 2023]

Dr. Rotunda Floyd-Cooper (Ed.D. '17) was named as the new director of education leadership for the . [March 2023]

Brittany Frownfelter '11 was appointed to serve as assistant principal of Carroll Manor Elementary School. [June 2024]

Elias Gonzalez (B.S. '17, M.Ed. '18) serves as curriculum innovation lead for Break Through Tech DC where is work is within the Department of Computer Science at the University of ÀË»¨Ö±²¥, College Park. [2023]

Dr. Courtney Hattan (Ph.D. '18) Accepted the position of Assistant Professor in the Science of Reading at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. [July 2023]

	Dr. Daman Harris (Ph.D. '14) has a new book being published in November 2023 called, [August 2023]

Dr. Hayley Haywood (M.Ed. '11) was promoted to assistant provost for organizational learning at Clark University. She also launched , an organizational capacity-building firm supporting universities & employers in building equitable pathways to soulfilling work through identity-conscious coaching & consulting. [August 2023]

Dr. Amanda Knapp (Ph.D. '13) has accepted a three year term as the incoming vice president/president/past president on the Executive Board for the National College Learning Center Association. [October 2023]

Dr. Christine Mahan (Ph.D. '10) was selected by City & State Pennsylvania as one of its 2024 Trailblazers in Higher Education. 

Amanda McConnell (M.Ed. '10)  is now Assistant Managing Director of Brookings Metro at The Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. [March 2024]

Olisa Menakaya (M.Ed. '19) received the for New Teachers from the National Science Teachers Association [May 2024]

Juliet Morris (B.A. '15, M.Ed. '16) serves as Educational Specialist at the Supreme Court Historical Society, where she will be researching and creating civics curriculum for students and teachers across the country. [February 2024]

Dr. Alana Murray ('98, Ph.D. '12) received the Harry J. Carman Award from the Middle States Council for Social Studies. [February 2023]

Justin K. Robinson (M.Ed. '13) was appointed by Governor Wes Moore to serve on the Blueprint for ÀË»¨Ö±²¥'s Future Accountability and Implementation Board. [May 2023]

Ellen Slobodnik (B.A. '11, M.Ed. '12) is serving as an Assistant Principal in Prince William County, VA. [ August 2023]

Dr. Ebony Terrell Shockley (Ph.D. '12) was named the Editor of the Chronicle of Middle-Level Education Research Special Interest Group and Awards Chair for the Research for Black Education Special Interest Group. [April 2024]

Michelle Udeli (M.A. '14) founded and launched the College Auntie social media platform to provide College Students with tips and tricks to help them navigate college successfully. [May 2023]

Dr. Arthur Williams (Ed.D.'13) serves as the Coordinator of Career Advising at Montgomery County Public Schools. [August 2023]

Dr. Darryl Williams (Ed.D. '11) was hired by Morgan State University as a Professor of Practice for the School of Education and Urban Studies program. [August 2023]

Dr. Myriam Yarbrough (Ed.D.'13) was selected to be the superintendent of Baltimore County Public School Systems. [May 2023]

Allison Curtin M.Ed. '21 received the Promising New Social Studies Teacher of the Year award from the ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ Council for Social Studies. [March 2023]

Joanna Hung '23 is a current Terrapin Teachers MCERT student and was awarded the NCTM Prospective 7-12 Secondary Teacher Course Work Scholarship.  [2024]

Kiyah McDermid M.Ed. '20 received the University of ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ Provost's Do Good Innovator Award. This award recognizes members of the campus community who create, and nurture social impact through education and research - both in and outside the classroom. [March 2024]

Maria McGee M.Ed. '23 received the extremely competitive and prestigious, award. Maria teaches at Quince Orchard High School in Montgomery County Public Schools. [August 2023]

Candace Quander M.Ed. '22 received a Fulbright Educational Teaching Assistant scholarship to Colombia. [July 2023]

Cinthya Salazar Ph.D. '20 was awarded the 2023 Ford Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship. 

Hannah Sanders M.Ed. '21 won the 2023 Greak Lakes Association of College and University Housing Officers Willie J. Young Sr. Oustanding Commitment to Inclusion and Equity Award. 

Sonia Swami '22, MCERT '23) was awarded the 2024 Knowles Fellowship. Sonia is currently teaching math in New Jersey at Secaucus High School while also serving as an advisor for the Dance Team and Coding Club. 

Alice Swift '90, Ed.D. '22 started her role as principal of Abington Senior High School. [January 2024]

Lekha Tantry (B.S. '20, M.Ed. '21) was selected as a 2023 Cohort, a highly selective opportunity with only 30 teachers selected from across the country. Lekha teaches at Capital City Public Charter School for the District of Columbia Public School System. [August 2023]