Our News
In Memoriam: Melissa Thomas
It is with a broken heart and profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved friend and colleague Ms. Melissa Thomas. Melissa passed away unexpectedly on last Monday evening, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and professionalism that will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege…
Facing Fears: A Distinguished GSE Alum Problem Solves Fear of Math
There is a moment when things just make sense. Take Nigel Hollis. His moment – when he realized his passion for math – was when his high school classmates started asking him homework questions instead of the teacher. “When I started to think about what I wanted to do with…
What’s Next for the Class of 2024?
We’re not sad at all about our students graduating—because we know they’re going to do some amazing work in the field of education. The Rutgers Graduate School of Education (GSE) commenced its Class of 2024 Convocation on May 15 at Jersey Mike’s Arena, celebrating the achievements of and awarding degrees…
Four GSE Students Receive Fulbright Awards
Rutgers Graduate School of Education (GSE) is proud to announce that four of its graduating students—Alyssa McKendry, Alyssa Mei, Lauren Rha, and Mackenzie Heckman—earned Fulbright Awards that will send them abroad to share their passion for education. (from left to right): Alyssa McKendry, Alyssa Mei, Lauren Rha, and Mackenzie Heckman…
Research Spotlight: Dr. Alex Kenney
Dr. Alex Kenney is a Race and Social Justice in Education Research Post-Doctoral Fellow in the GSE’s Department of Educational Psychology. Dr. Kenney is a scholar of race with an exacting focus on the experiences of Black collegians at Historically and Predominantly White Institutions (HPWI). He investigates blatant and surreptitious…
Research Spotlight: Dr. Travis Dumas
Dr. Travis Dumas is a Race and Social Justice in Education Research Post-Doctoral Fellow in the GSE’s Department of Learning and Teaching. Dr. Dumas’s research interests include anti-Black racism and schooling inequity; school climate and culture; student academic outcomes and opportunities; and culturally relevant pedagogy and practices. Can you tell…
Teaching English & Hope: What’s Next for Our Distinguished GSE Alum?
Education is the opportunity to better oneself. That’s Sayuni Dias’ take. Sayuni was three years old when she immigrated from Sri Lanka with her family to the United States. She never knew her maternal grandmother, an English teacher. “Maybe it was just in my blood,” Sayuni said. Now Sayuni teaches…
Dancing with Curiosity: A Distinguished GSE Alum’s Education Journey
“During my two years at the GSE, I felt guided and supported, and like I really grew within the program,” said Allyson Ferry, a 2023 dance education graduate from the Rutgers Graduate School of Education (GSE). Ever since she was in grade school, Allyson knew she wanted to teach dance….
Rutgers–New Brunswick Appoints New Dean to Lead Graduate School of Education
University of Illinois Professor Christopher Span assumes role from Wanda Blanchett NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (March 28, 2024) – Christopher M. Span, a scholar, historian, educator and higher education administrator whose expertise spans the fields of history and education policy, has been appointed dean for the Graduate School of Education at…
Performance Assessments Across New Jersey: What Educator Preparation Programs Are Using Now
By Emily Hodge, Rachel Garver, and Drew Gitomer In the wake of New Jersey’s 2022 legislative removal of the edTPA as a required performance-based assessment for teacher candidates, educator preparation programs (EPPs) have had newfound freedom in their performance assessments. How are programs exercising this new discretion? What type of…
GSE Professor Shares Reimagined Model on Civic Education at National Conference
Every teacher is a civic teacher. That’s what Dr. Nicole Mirra, Associate Professor of Urban Teacher Education at the Rutgers Graduate School of Education (GSE), and her longtime colleague Dr. Antero Garcia presented at the 2024 South by Southwest (SXSW) EDU Conference & Festival in Austin, Texas, on March 6….
GSE Doctoral Student Explores the Equation to Calculus
Rasha Abadir loves problems. Particularly, math problems. As a young girl, she was fascinated by the variety of ways to solve them. Years later, Abadir’s love of problem-solving led her to pursue a degree in mathematics, and, ultimately, a career in education. “All students can learn math,” Abadir said. “That’s…