EdTerps Alumni Class Notes
Our alumni live in all corners of the world and do many great things! We invite you to meet some of your stellar EdTerp alumni. And if you have news to share, please let us know by emailing coeadvancement@umd.edu with the subject line "Class Notes".
1951 | |
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| Dr. Dwight Coblentz BS ‘51, M.Ed ‘55, He retired in 1992 as Director of Curriculum and Staff Development San Diego County Office of Education. He taught Calculus in the evening division of San Diego Community College District for twenty years, co-authored a high school Geometry Book for Scott Foresman in 1978. | |
1965 | |
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| Betty Ann Ernst Bauer '65 has written a book of historical fiction for upper elementary-grade children about Ancestral Puebloan life in the American Southwest. Published by Portamento, Tamika and Friends is a story of three children whose families migrated from Mesa Verde in the late 1200s. [July 2014] | |
1967 | |
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| Dr. Darla Fishbein Strouse '67, Ed.D. '04 wrote and won a grant from Sinai and Synapsis and the Sir John Templeton Fund to have research scientists from Howard 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] |
1968 | |
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| 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] | |
1969 | |
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| 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 Godmother of Title IX. |
| Carol Scott '69 was awarded the 2024 UMD College of Education Outstanding Exempt Award. [May 2024] | |
| 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] |
1970 | |
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| Dr. Maurice Dorsey '70, Ph.D. '83 was inducted into the Sigma Chapter, Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Society at the University of Maryland in 2022 and is working on a Masters of Fine Arts Degree, in fiction and non-fiction writing, Southern New Hampshire University. He plans to graduate December, 2025. |
| James Fielder '70, M.Ed. '72 served as the Secretary of Higher Education for the State of Maryland from 2015 to 2023. |
| Judith Freeman Garey '70 had her book Theater, Drama, and Reading: Transforming the Rehearsal Process into A Reading Process, published by National Council of Teachers of English [July 2023] |
| Valerie Stasik '70 published her first novel, Incidental Daughter [July 2014] |
1971 | |
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| Dr. Jacqueline Brown-Frierson '71 was the first Black female Resident Assistant (R.A.) serving in Denton Hall. [May 2023] | |
1972 | |
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| Sharon Allen Glider, ‘72, announces the publication of her third historical romance novel, “The Widow of Woodholme”. Her other books include, “The Rose Beyond” & “Beyond the Rose”. [2024] |
| Carey Wright '72, M.S. '76, Ed.D. '94 was appointed Interim State Superintendent of Education by Maryland Board of Education [2023] and was named by the Maryland Board of Education as the permanent state superintendent of public schools. [April 2024]
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1973 | |
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| Heather Hammer M.A. '73 published her first historical fiction book: Sheltland Mist, 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] |
| Jim Wharton '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] | |
1974 | |
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| Dr. Michael Casserly M.Ed ’74, Ph.D. ’82, published a new book, “The Enduring Promise of America’s Great City Schools,” with Harvard Education Press drawing on his almost 50 years in urban public education. [November 2024] |
| Martha Farkas ‘74, worked 32 years as an aviation cartographer for FAA and NOAA Federal agencies. During that time it was a civil Engineering position where she would manually draw activation maps for civil aviation in the US. After her retirement from the Federal Government, she did full time substitute teaching in Montgomery County up until her retirement. [2024] | |
| Thomas Grites Ph.D. '74 received a 2024 ACPA Lifetime Achievement Award. [March 2024] |
| Andrew Havis M.Ed. '74 published the book The Technology of Scientific Education: Practical Guidance for creating a true natural reality, based on his decades of work with the International Montessori Society, which he established in 1979. [March 2024] |
1975 | |
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| Dexter Chapin, M.Ed ‘75, Ph.D ‘78, Recently released a new book called, “The American Idea, Resilience, and Thrivancy Education”, with a foreword by Barry Clemson. | |
| Cheryl Garnette '78 was named 2023 Prince George's County Nonprofit Leader of the Year by the Greater Washington Community Foundation. |
| Rochelle (Shelly) Taberoff- Wender, ‘75 BA was awarded the Marietta Suhart Award, with distinction, from the Georgia Gerontology Society for Excellence in Gerontology Education. [November 2024] | |
1978 | |
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| Frank Lyman Ph.D. ’78, published a book entitled 100 Teaching Ideas that Transfer and Transform Learning: Expanding Your Repertoire in 2022. |
| Janice Jennings ’78: Attended College of Education Alumni of Color and shared they are “Celebrating 45 years in the Education Field” [May 2024] | |
| Donald Soeken, Ph.D. ‘78, published his latest book, “Breaking the Silence”. It describes how to blow the whistle at one's place of work. He is America’s most well known counselor to whistleblowers. [2024] |
1979 | |
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| Jody Olsen Ph.D. '79 published her memoir A Million Miles: My Peace Corps Journey. The book describes her path from Peace Corps volunteer to director and beyond. |
1980 | |
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| Rocky Lopes '80, was elected to the University of Maryland Alumni Association Board of Governors. [July 2023] |
1981 | |
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| Patricia Alexander Ph.D. ‘81 was named among the top 55 researchers in educational psychology in a recent study in Learning and Individual Differences. [December 2025] |
| Sharon Fries-Britt ‘81, Ph.D. ‘94 is an inaugural fellow of the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE). [December 2025] |
| Michael Martirano ‘81, M.Ed. ‘85. M.Ed. ‘92: Received the 2024 Outstanding Educator Award from the Maryland School Psychologists’ Association for the work being done to address the student mental health crisis. |
| Dr. Kevin Kruger M.A.'81, Ph.D. ‘92 received the 2025 Distinguished Pillar of the Profession at NASPA. [2025] |
1982 | |
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| Kathy Russell ’82 was a finalist for 2024-2025 Maryland Teacher of the Year, representing Prince George's County Public Schools Teacher of the Year |
1984 | |
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| Jon M. Andes, Ed.D. ‘84, authored the book titled "Taking the Mystery Out of Funding Maryland Public Schools" published by the International Council of Professors of Educational Leadership, 2021. [2024] |
1985 | |
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| Barbara Friedlander '85, M.A. '90 was named the Learning Disabilities Associations Sam Kirk Educator of the Year. [February 2024] |
| Mary E. McKnight '85 published her memoir Out of Place: Coming of Age in Cold War West Germany [2024] |
| Mary (Conrad) Skowronski '85, '87 retired after 36 years of teaching English in Maryland serving Anne Arundel, Charles, and Frederick Counties. [May 2023] | |
| Dr. James H. VanSciver, Ed.D. ’85 has published his 7th book. He co-authored Beneath the Dome, a 400-page collection of experiences from the 1950s through the 1970s of students attending a military college for four years. |
1988 | |
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| James "Jim" Berry '88, Ph.D. '01 serves as a member of the initial cohort of MSDE's Expert Review Team, supporting implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future. [2023] |
| Agnesanne Danehey Ph.D. '88 was awarded the 2024 UMD College of Education Excellence in Outreach Award. [May 2024] |
1989 | |
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| Rosalind Sheppard ‘89, Ph.D. '02 is a licensed psychologist and co-owner of Essential Outcomes. [2020] |
| Deborah Taub ‘89 has been awarded the Lois B. DeFleur Faculty Prize for Academic Achievement, one of Binghamton University’s highest faculty honors, recognizing her groundbreaking research, leadership and mentorship in higher education and student affairs. [June 2025] |
1990 | |
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| Alice Swift '90, Ed.D. '22 started her role as principal of Abington Senior High School. [January 2024] |
1991 | |
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| MollyBeth Jacobs Rushfield BS '91 was named inaugural recipient of the Avi West Jewish Education Award [February 2023] |
| William Tate IV Ph.D. '91 was selected to be the 22nd president of Rutgers University. Previously, Dr. Tate served as Louisiana State University's first Black president. [2025] |
1992 | |
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| Margery Cammarota Prokos '92 was awarded the Outstanding General Education Teacher at the April 2025 4th Annual Autism Unit Awards. | |
| 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 Community College. [July 2023] |
| Steve Koppi '92 has been promoted to Assistant Provost for Career Education at Boston University. [October 2025] |
| Katana Riddick ’92 attended College of Education Alumni of Color and shared they are “Retiring this August after 31.5 years of service to public school students of MD.” [May 2024] |
1993 | |
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| Scott Foster ‘93 was among the 12 game officials chosen to work the NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics & Dallas Mavericks [June 2024] |
| Dr. Michelle Howell ‘93 is now the Academic Success Coordinator at Nebraska Wesleyan University. [October 2025] |
| Shari Perry ‘93, M.Ed. ‘99 started Perry Educational Consultants, an educational consulting business for parents navigating special needs |
| Dr. Jamie Washington ‘93 received the James Baldwin Legacy Award from @NBJContheMove. [September 2025] |
1994 | |
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| 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] |
| Rose Mince Ph.D. ‘94 has assumed the role of Carroll Community College president after getting a unanimous vote from the college’s Board of Trustees. [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 Maryland, Texas, and Colorado. [November 2023] | |
1995 | |
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| Brian Walton ‘95, M.Ed. ‘12 recently nominated for 2023-24 Site Administrator of the Year in his school district. In the second year of his tenure as principal within the Franklin McKinley School District (CA) he fostered a positive turnaround of school safety and students and staff feeling an increased sense of belonging and connectedness. [2024] |
1996 | |
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| 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, Growing Groups into Teams. [March 2024]. |
| Christy Tirrell-Corbin Ph.D. '96 was selected as a Dean Impact Professor at the UMD College of Education. [2023] |
| Bridget Turner Kelly M.A. '96, PhD '01 received the Senior Scholar Award from the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) [January 2025] |
1997 | |
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| John Heneghan '97 has been recognized as the 2024 Wash100 Award winner by Executive Mosaic, an international leadership organization and media company. [2024] |
| Dr. Alice Mitchell Ph.D.'97 published the book New Directions for Student Services: No 178-179. Student affairs assessment: Nuanced practice to leverage equity. [November 2022] |
| Dennis Passarella-George ‘97, Director of Resident Life, was awarded the President’s Distinguished Service Award at the University of Maryland’s Faculty Staff Convocation. [September 2025] |
| Dr. Sean Simone ‘97, 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] |
1998 | |
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| Mitra De Souza M.Ed. '98 has published her first ever book, The Fragile. |
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Zina L. Evans Ph.D. '98 has been appointed Vice Chancellor for Strategic Enrollment and Student Success at the University of Colorado Denver. [July 2025] |
| Lionel C. Howard M.A. '98 was named interim dean of George Washington university's Graduate School of Education and Human Development. |
| Alison Jovanovic '98 was awarded the 2024 UMD College of Education Excellence in Service Award and is a 2025 recipient of the Provost's Excellence Award for Professional Track Faculty. |
| Alana Murray ‘98, Ph.D. ‘12 received the Harry J. Carman Award from the Middle States Council for Social Studies. [February 2023] and was appointed to serve as the Director of the Office of School Support and Well-Being for Montgomery County Public Schools. [May 2024] |
| Daniel Rodriguez '98 published his new book, The Voyage of the Sunship. Check out his other publications here. [November 2025] |
| Lisa Stuart Whitehead '98 received the Gilbert A. Clark & Enid Zimmerman Leadership and Advocacy Award during the 2023 National Art Education Association (NAEA) National Convention [April 2023] |
1999 | |
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| Scott Brown Ph.D. '99 was named as the dean of students at Wabash College. [June 2025] |
| Patricia S. Dorsey Ed.D. '99 was awarded the Joseph R. Bailer Award by the McDaniel College Alumni Association. This award is given to an alumni who has made a significant contribution to the field of education. [May 2025] |
| Cheryl Dyson M.Ed. ’99 was named the Tom Cookerly Exceptional School Superintendent by the National Center for Children and Families.[August 2025] |
| Dr. Corinne Kodama ‘99 was the recipient of the Health Medicine & Policy Research Group's Dr. Steve Whitman Research Award, to recognize her contributions towards building power and momentum for social justice and health equity in Illinois. [September 2025] |
| Bryan Palma M.Ed. '99 was appointed to the Board of Directors for CloudBees, Inc. [May 2024] |
| Matthew Soldner M.Ed. '99, Ph.D. '11 was appointed by the U.S. Department of Education as the Acting Commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics. |
2000 | |
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| Bo Du Val '00 is acting principal of Baltimore County’s Eastern Technical High School, Maryland’s top public high school in U.S. News & World Report for the second year in a row. [October 2025] |
2001 | |
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| 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 Maryland's Future. [2023] |
| 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] |
| Cara Grant B.S. '01 co-authored the book Intersectionality in Health Education with Troy Boddy. [January 2024] |
| Kimberly Griffin M.A. ‘01 is an inaugural fellow of the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE). [December 2025] |
| Cherise Hunter ’01, M.Ed. ’02 served as the Center for Educational Innovation and Improvement at University of Maryland College Park Fellow and was elected to the University of Maryland Senate. |
| 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] |
| Jessica Nichols ’01 was the 2024-2025 Howard County Teacher of the Year and 2024-2025 MSDE State Finalist! Click here for Jessica's website! |
| 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] |
| Leon Smith ‘01 is celebrating that he was named the 2025 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year. He was also selected for the Teach Plus National Teacher Policy Cabinet. [2025] |
| Dr. Bridget Turner Kelly Ph.D. ‘01 received the ACPA Senior Scholar award at the annual convention in February in Long Beach, CA. [February 2025] |
2002 | |
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| Phil Barnes ‘02, M.Ed. ‘10, pictured here with Amanuel (Manny) Fitsum ‘24, M.Ed. ‘25, plays for the Baltimore Ravens Band and is a former alum of the Mighty Sound of Maryland Band. [September 2025] |
| Trent Engbers M.A. ‘02 was honored with a blog post as part of Americorps 30th anniversary and received the first Harris Wofford Joint Service Award. [September 2024] |
| Sara Goodman Confino ’02, M.Ed. ’03 released her newest bestselling book, Behind Every Good Man. |
| Terri Grates Day M.A. '02 was named as the 5th president of Herkimer College. [June 2025] |
| Dr. Patty Perillo Ph.D. ’02 was named as a NASPA Foundation Pillar of the Profession during the 2025 annual conference in New Orleans, LA. [2025] |
| Dr. Mary Kay Schneider Carodine ‘02 is now Clinical Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator of the M.Ed. program in Student Personnel in Higher Education at the University of Florida. [September 2025] |
| Ming Tomayko M.Ed. ’02 Ph.D. ’07 was named Associate Dean for Teaching and Student Success for the Jess & Mildred Fisher College of Science and Mathematics at Towson University. |
2003 | |
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| Tess Barker '03 serves as the Executive Director at the Association for Student Conduct Administration (ASCA). [2023] |
| Eve Case '03 was named the 2023 winner of the Mel Miller Social Studies Leader Award by the National Social Studies Supervisors Association, a part of the National Council for the Social Studies. |
| Leslie Edwards ‘03 was selected as a presenter at ASCD’s 2025 International Educator’s Summit in Ghana. [July 2025] |
| Kim Johnson M.Ed. '03 is an award-winning author who published her newest book The Color of a Lie. [February 2024] |
| Irma Najarro '03 was named as a finalist for 2022–2023 Montgomery County Public Schools Teacher of the Year [August 2022] |
| Laura Osteen Ph.D. ‘03 was named a 2025 NASPA Annual Award winner for AVP/Senior Level Student Affairs Professional Award. [March 2025] |
| Daniel Singley M.A. '03, Ph.D. '05 serves as the president of the American Psychological Association's Division of Men & Masculinities. [2024] |
2004 | |
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| 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. Jennie Lee-Kim Ph.D. '04 was awarded the 2024 UMD College of Education Excellence in Teaching Award [March 2024] |
| Josh Schneider '04 founded The HockEYE Guy Foundation to provide transportation and lodging for blind hockey players. Learn more about Josh's story here.
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| 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. |
2005 | |
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| Danielle Anthony ’05 attended College of Education Alumni of Color and shared they “Completed their first year as Assistant Principal” [May 2024] |
| Tiki Ayiku M.Ed. '05 is the Vice President for Education and Events at U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). [March 2024] |
| Dr. Paul Eaton ‘05 is now an Associate Professor of Higher Education and Student Affairs at the University of Alabama. [October 2025] |
| Melissa Huffman ’05 was appointed to Assistant Principal of Mt. Harmony Elementary School. [2024] |
| Robert D. Kelly Ph. D ‘05 was the keynote speaker for the Association for Student Conduct Administration's annual conference. [2025] |
| Dr. Blair Robinson-Price M.A. ‘05 is celebrating the launch of her new book, Reignite Your Why. [January 2023] |
| Derek Slaughter M.Ed. ’05 becomes Williamsport’s first Black mayor and the youngest person to ever hold the position, at age 39. [February 2025] |
2006 | |
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| Dr. Marcus C. Hubbard M.Ed. ‘06 is the recipient of the “2024 Graduate School Outstanding Dissertation Award at James Madison University. This award is given each year to one student at JMU. His dissertation title is “Reconsidering Glasser’s Basic Needs in Lead-Management Theory: Testing the Validity of the Original Basic Needs, Disentangling the Power Construct, and Auditioning the Inclusion of Meaning and Purpose.” [2024] |
| Shannon Negussie BS ’06, M.Ed ’07 is celebrating five years as a Middle School Principal and 16 years in education [May 2024] | |
| Darren Pierre ’06 was awarded the M. Lucia James Impact Award at the 2025 Gift of Giving Gala. |
| Diana Rivas M.Ed. ’06 was appointed treasurer for the Latinx Board at the University of Maryland and started teaching English with the JSSA Learning English Together program. [2024] | |
| Angelica Van Bavel BS ’06 was appointed to Assistant Principal of Mutual Elementary School [2024] | |
2007 | |
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| Ashley S. Doyle ‘07, M.Ed. 08 serves as the supervisor for Special Education Alternate Learning Outcomes in the Department of Special Education Services |
| Dr. Keith Edwards Ph.D. ‘07 interviewed Dr. Trisha Shalka M.Ed. ‘08 for Student Affairs NOW on her new book, Cultivating Trauma-Informed Practice in Student Affairs. Listen here! [March 2024] | |
| Vanessa Gibson '07 has co-founded a nonprofit called Access Granted Youth Exploration, which offers various learning opportunities for underserved teens. [April 2024] |
| Ramsey Jabaji M.Ed. ’07 accepted a new role as the inaugural assistant dean for engineering student affairs in the A. James Clark School of Engineering. [2024] |
| Dawn Johnson Ph.D. '07 received a 2024 ACPA award. |
| AIycia Marshall Ph.D. '07 was named the interim president of the Community College of Philadelphia. [April 2025] |
| Karol Martinez M.Ed. '07 received the 2024 ACPA Nancy J. Evans Voices of Inclusion Award Recipient. [March 2024] |
2008 | |
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| Dr. Justin Fincher M.A. ‘08, Ph. D ‘14 is now managing director of Huron | GG+A Global Philanthropy. [March 2025] |
| Dr. Julie Owen Ph.D. '08 was featured on the Phronesis: Practical Wisdom for Leaders podcast in episode 209: A Reseach Agenda for Leadership Learning and Development through Higher Education [March 2024] |
| Dr. Trisha Shalka M.Ed. '08 released a new book, Creating Space for Ourselves as Minoritized and Marginalized Faculty: Narratives that Humanize the Academy [March 2024] |
2009 | |
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| 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. |
2010 | |
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| Jamie Adasi ‘10, M.Ed.'13 lead a global DEI team that has won numerous awards for culture and impact. [May 2023] |
| Gopi Dhokai ‘10 was elected as a city councilmember for the city of Hyattsville in June 2025. [September 2025] |
| John L. Garland Ph.D. '10 received the 2025 Nancy J. Evans Voices of Inclusion Award from the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) [January 2025] |
| 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] |
2011 | |
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| Jason “Jay” Garvey ‘11 P.hD. ‘13 was appointed the new Executive Director for the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment at the University of Vermont. Recognized as 2024 ACPA Award Recipient. [March 2024] |
| Dr. Hayley Haywood M.Ed. '11 was promoted to assistant provost for organizational learning at Clark University. She also launched Elevating Access, an organizational capacity-building firm supporting universities & employers in building equitable pathways to soulfilling work through identity-conscious coaching & consulting. [August 2023] |
| Emily Roh ‘11 is now the Interim Associate Director, Student Retention Initiatives and Support at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona. [October 2025] |
| Ellen Slobodnik B.A. '11, M.Ed. '12 is serving as an Assistant Principal in Prince William County, VA. [ 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] | |
2012 | |
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| Beth Barkley ‘12 M.Ed ‘13 was named Washington D.C. Teacher of Year and is an English Teacher for Cardozo EC’s International Academy. Barkley is a relentless advocate for immigrant rights, equity, and social justice. [October 2023] |
| David DeMatthews, Ph.D. '12 was announced the 2025 Outstanding Public Communication of Education Research Award by American Educational Research Association (AERA) in April of 2025. |
| John Fink ‘12 co-authored a book with his Community College Research Center colleagues entitled "More Essential Than Ever: Community College Pathways to Educational and Career Success." [August 2025] |
| Dr. Elizabeth Niehaus ‘12 has been promoted to Professor at the University of Nebraska Lincoln where she is in the Department of Educational Administration and is a beloved mentor and teacher. [April 2025] |
| 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 in April 2024. She also submitted a Spencer Transformative Research Grant with her colleagues Dr. Allen, Dr. Blazer, and Dr. Cornstock. [May 2025] |
2013 | |
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| Niklas Connor Berry ‘13, M.Ed. ‘14 started his teaching career soon after graduating and will be starting his 10th year as a Social Studies teacher at Oakland Mills high school. He will be beginning his 6th year as Instructional Team Leader for the Social Studies Department. He was named Washington Post’s Howard County Teacher of the Year and was awarded Howard County teacher of the Year in 2021. He was also a Jeopardy Champion in June 2023. [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. Salvador Mena ‘13, Senior Vice Chancellor for Student Experience at Rutgers University, was named an American Council on Education Fellow. [May 2025] |
| Jose-Luis Riera, Ph.D. ‘13, the University of Delaware’s Vice President for Student Life, has been named by President Dennis Assanis to serve as the University’s interim chief diversity officer, effective immediately. [October 2024] |
| Justin K. Robinson M.Ed. '13 was appointed by Governor Wes Moore to serve on the Blueprint for Maryland's Future Accountability and Implementation Board. [May 2023] |
| Myriam Rogers Ed.D ‘13 was announced as a finalist for the 2026 AASA Women In School Leadership Awards. She currently serves as Superintendent of Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS). [December 2025] |
| Omar Tarabishi '13, M.A. '21 received the UMD Alumni Association Do Good Award and was recognized as one of the Baltimore Business Journal's 40 under 40 honorees in 2025 for his work with Leftover Love. [July 2025] |
| Anjali Wells M.Ed. ‘13 received the 2025 Linda Popp Leadership Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions and professional service to art education. [December 2025] |
| Dr. Arthur Williams Ed.D.'13 serves as the Coordinator of Career Advising at Montgomery County Public Schools. [August 2023] |
| Dr. Myriam Yarbrough Ed.D.'13 was selected to be the superintendent of Baltimore County Public School Systems. [May 2023] |
2014 | |
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| Brian Danielak Ph.D. ‘14 has joined the Institute for Defense Analyses as a research staff member. | |
| Dr. Chrystal George-Mwangi Ph.D. ‘14 authored a new book, Hidden in Blackness: Being Black and Being an Immigrant in U.S. Schools and Colleges. [February 2025] |
| Dr. Daman Harris Ph.D. '14 has a new book being published in November 2023 called, The Antiracist School Leader: What to Know, Say, and Do. [August 2023] He was also honored by the National Association for School-University Partnerships as the PK20 Boundary Spanner of the Year in March of 2025. |
| Natalie Pretzello '14 was the 2025 Howard County Public School System Teacher of the Year. The Maryland State Department of Education and Maryland State Board of Education also selected her as one of seven finalists for the 2026 Maryland Teacher of the Year. [September 2025] |
| 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] |
2015 | |
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| Roderick L. Carey Ph.D. '15 was awarded the 2025 Early Career Award from the American Association of Blacks in Higher Education, the 2025 Early Career Award from the American Educational Research Association (AERA)’s Division G: Social Context of Education and the 2025 Scholars of Color Early Career Contribution Award from AERA. [November 2025] |
| Brok Hess B.A. '15, M.Ed. '16 contributed to a research project, recently published in the Journal of Online Learning Research, titled "Exploratory Study of a K-12 Special Education Online Learning Model for Students with Developmental Disabilities. [December 2024] |
| Dr. Donna Lim ‘15 serves as the advisor for Mortar Board at the University of Maryland and we were thrilled to learn our colleague and friend was the recipient of the Mortar Board National Honor Society 2025 Excellence in Advising Award. [October 2025] |
| 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] |
2016 | |
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| Dr. Jorge Baxter Ph.D. '16 was named Dean of the College of Education (Faculta de Education) of the Universidad de los Andres in Bogota, Columbia. [January 2024] |
| Dana Grosser-Clarkson Ph.D. ’16, associate clinical professor in the College of Education and senior lecturer in the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences, was honored with the Outstanding College Educator Award by the Maryland Council of Teachers of Mathematics (MCTM). |
| Dr. Tamyka Morant ’16 led the BMPV Chargers team to win the 1619 Education Network grant from the Pulitzer Center | |
| Dominique Moss ’16 is a class of 2016 Educator & Advocate for BIPOC students” [2024] |
| Jarrell Slade ’16 is a fully licensed mental health therapist in MD & DC and a Junior Partner of Soul Soil Healing |
2017 | |
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| Dr. Rotunda Floyd-Cooper Ed.D. '17 was named as the new director of education leadership for the Wallace Foundation. [March 2023] |
| Nicole Garcia Diaz ‘17 recently started a new role as Assistant Director of Resident Life for Restorative Practices and Community Engagement at the University of Maryland. [April 2025] |
| Elias Gonzalez BS ‘17, M.Ed ‘18 is a first-generation Latino college student. Now, hes a lecturer in computer science and curriculum innovation lead for Break Through Tech DC at UMD. |
| Alaina Mackell ‘17 started a new position as Coordinator of Literacy Programming and Initiatives at Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE)! | |
| Dr. Zipporah Miller Ph.D.‘17 is celebrating serving as the District 5 School Board Member from 2022-2024. [December 2024] |
| Katarina S. Pisini '17 M.Ed 18 earned the Department of The Air Force Award for Civilian Achievement. This award was in recognition of her distinguished performance as School Liaison Program Manager, 31st Force Support Squadron, 31st Mission Support Group, 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy from 21 May 2023 - 26 July 2024. |
2018 | |
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| Ja'Nya Banks '18 M.Ed '19' was recognized as a part of the Terrapin Club’s 30 under 30 Class of 2024. These individuals have made a major impact in their communities and careers, while supporting the university and embodying Maryland Pride. Selected from a group of many impressive nominees, the 2024 class represents some of the rising stars from the University of Maryland. Banks earned her Bachelor's and Master's in Special Education at Maryland and was a proud member of the Theta Nu chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Director of Diversity in Student Government, and President of the Black Honors Society. After college, she worked as a middle school teacher and mentor, supporting families and educators of color. Now, as a Ph.D. student at UC Berkeley, she teaches and mentors undergrads in critical education, researches equity and access in partnership with local school districts and writes about the strength of marginalized communities in shaping their education policies. [February 2024] |
| 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] |
| Gudrun Nyunt Ph.D. '18 received the 2025 Anne S. Pruitt-Logan Presidential Citation Award from the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) [January 2025] |
| Juliana (Juju) Wong M.Ed ‘18 is a self-proclaimed ED-upreneur and higher education consultant. She makes college knowledge more accessible to all young people on social media @ProfessorJuuj. [2021] |
2019 | |
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| Dr. Carlos Beato Ed.D. '19 started Soy La Esperanza LCC, an educational consulting organization to support school teams in providing excellent services for multilingual learners. [May 2023] |
| Darren Daly ’19: started a new position as Dean of Students |
| Aileen Hentz Ph.D. ‘19 received a Best Paper Award at the American Society for Engineering Education’s First-Year Engineering Experience Conference for "Strengthening Support Networks for Engineering Students", alongside two colleagues from Iowa State. [December 2025] |
| Olisa Menakaya M.Ed. '19 received the Maitland P. Simmons Memorial Award for New Teachers from the National Science Teachers Association [May 2024] |
2020 | |
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| Rebecca Delaney ‘20, M.Ed. '21 has been selected for the Inaugural National Council for Exceptional Children Creative Use of AI to Support Exceptional Students Award. | |
| Selvon Malcolm Waldron ‘20 was named the Senior Vice President & Executive Director of City Year DC. [September 2025] |
| Kiyah McDermid M.Ed. '20 received the University of Maryland 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] |
| Cinthya Salazar ‘20 was the recipient of the 2025 Founders’ Award conferred by the Undocumented Immigrants & Allies Knowledge Community–NASPA. [October 2025] |
| Lekha Tantry B.S. '20, M.Ed. '21 was selected as a Desmos Fellows 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] |
2021 | |
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| Alyson Allen '21 was honored with the Teacher: Excellence in Instruction award from the 4th Annual Autism Unit Awards in April 2025. | |
| Allison Curtin M.Ed. '21 received the Promising New Social Studies Teacher of the Year award from the Maryland Council for Social Studies. [March 2023] |
| 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. | |
2022 | |
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| Maribeth Harrington '22 received the Excellence in Teacher Leadership and Collaboration from the 4th Annual Autism Unit Awards in April 2025. | |
| Lindsay Goldstein ‘22: Recognized as a part of the Terrapin Club’s 30 under 30 Class of 2024. These individuals have made a major impact in their communities and careers, while supporting the university and embodying Maryland Pride. Selected from a group of many impressive nominees, the 2024 class represents some of the rising stars from the University of Maryland. Goldstein is a fourth grade teacher in the Montgomery County Public School system. During her time at Maryland, she was involved with various campus organizations, such as her sorority, Sigma Delta Tau, and Terp Thon, where she served as the Dancer Relations executive chair. Since graduating, Lindsay is an avid Maryland Athletics fan and serves on the Terp Thon Alumni Board. [February 2024] |
| Candace Quander M.Ed. '22 received a Fulbright Educational Teaching Assistant scholarship to Colombia. [July 2023] |
| 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. |
2023 | |
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| Ashley Hixson Clarke ’23 was invited by the American Dental Association (ADEA) to facilitate a workshop on emotionally intelligent leadership | |
| Joanna Hung '23, M.A. '24 was named a 2025-2026 Fulbright Scholar and will be serving as an English Teaching Assistant in Taiwan. |
| Maria McGee M.Ed. '23 received the extremely competitive and prestigious, Knowles Teaching Fellowship award. Maria teaches at Quince Orchard High School in Montgomery County Public Schools [August 2023]. The press release for the 2023 Cohort of Knowles Teaching Fellowship went out and Maria McGee was quoted in the press release. [November 2023] |
2024 | |
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| Pamela Callahan Ph.D. ’24 is a postdoctoral fellow at the Center for Educational Innovation and Improvement, received an Early Career Fellowship from the Education Law Association in recognition of her work at the intersection of K-12 education and First Amendment rights. |
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| Amanuel (Manny) Fitsum ‘24, M.Ed. ‘25, pictured here with Phil Barnes ‘02, M.Ed. ‘10, plays for the Baltimore Ravens Band and is a former alum of the Mighty Sound of Maryland Band. [September 2025] |
| Sarah Kistner M.A. ’24 was recognized as an Outstanding Graduate Student Distinguished Service 2024–2025 Graduate Finalist. |
2025 | |
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| Alyssa Orlando ’25 was named the 2025 Col. J. Logan Schutz ODK Leader of the Year Award and recognized as a Wilson H. Elkins Award Finalist. |
| Bryant Rivera Cortez ’25 was named a member of the Maryland Medallion Society and recognized as a Wilson H. Elkins Award Finalist. |
| Brandon Rodriguez Torrento M.A. ’25 was recognized as an Outstanding Graduate Student Distinguished Service 2024–2025 Graduate Finalist. |