History
At the University of Maryland College of Education, we have been shaping the future of education for over a century. Founded in 1921, we started with just four faculty members and 94 graduate students, offering programs in agricultural education, home economics and industrial education. In 1955, one year after the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision, Elaine Johnson Coates made history by enrolling at the University of Maryland, in the College of Education. Four years later, in 1959, she became the first African American woman to earn an undergraduate degree from the university, marking a pivotal moment in our journey toward equity and inclusion.
Over the years, we quickly grew into a hub for academic excellence and transformation, becoming a place where the future of education is shaped by passionate educators and researchers. We have earned national recognition for our groundbreaking work in teacher education, educational policy and research, all aimed at improving educational outcomes for diverse communities.
Today, we continue to lead in education, counseling, human development and quantitative methodology, building on a legacy of impact and innovation.
In 2020, we celebrated our centennial anniversary. For more than 100 years, the College of Education has improved the lives of individuals and the health of communities throughout the state, across the country and around the world through the power of education.
As a part of our Centennial Celebration, we developed an interactive timeline that looks at our history. Learn more about how we have used education as a platform to positively impact communities around the world!
For our centennial celebration, College of Education staff, students and alumni shared insights on what we can do to continue to advance our mission.
Take a listen.
Episode 1: Furthering Special Education: We examine the college's influence on the field of special education, with guests Linda Jacobs (Ph.D. '71), Margaret McLaughlin, and doctoral student Alexandra Shelton.
Episode 2: Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast: We explore what the college has done to advance diversity and inclusion on campus with special guests Vivian Boyd (Ph.D. '75), Sharon Fries-Britt, and doctoral student Autumn Griffin.