Blog

Kingsley Jonathan working on a laptop in a classroom

The Rise of Kingsley Jonathan ’20, G’22

When Syracuse Orange defensive end Kingsley Jonathan ’20, G’22 crushed Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis earlier this season, he did more than notch the game’s first sack. Jonathan experienced a homecoming of sorts. Three years earlier almost to the day, he famously brought down Travis’ predecessor, Deondre Francois, amid the sweltering heat of the Syracuse University stadium. […]

Rolling to NPR: Arts Classes Can Be an “Oasis”

James Haywood Rolling Jr., professor of arts education, spoke to NPR on the importance and impact of arts and creative classes in K-12 schools. According to NPR, health experts recently declared the decline in children and adolescents’ mental health a “national emergency,” and creative classes and spaces are trying to help. Rolling Jr., a former […]

Benjamin Dotger talks to a student after they completed a school leader simulation

Student Veterans Needed for Study Designed to Help Transition to Higher Education

Military veterans transitioning from service to collegiate study often face unique barriers. Feeling as though universities, faculty and peers do not recognize the value of skills they learned in the military—and how these skills transfer to a college campus—many may also feel isolated, anxious and/or misunderstood. Additional factors—including financial burdens, family obligations, expiration of GI Bill […]

Wendy Coakley-Thompson G’99: Sunshine in Syracuse

Proud of her Bahamian heritage, Wendy Coakley-Thompson G’99 has long puzzled over why Bahamian culture has been overlooked in the United States. Four years ago Coakley-Thompson, now an instructional systems designer for the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, started a publishing house, Duho Books, which describes itself as celebrating the vibrant culture, history and […]

GRE No Longer Required For Teaching Master’s Programs

The School of Education is pleased to announce that GRE (graduate record examination) and other standardized graduate admissions exams are now optional for all of our graduate programs. Minimum scores on these exams were previously required for admission to teacher preparation master’s degrees based on state laws passed in 2013. Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation […]

Families arrive from the metro-NYC area in 2019

Project Transition: Stronger Together

Recognizing the significance of the first-year experience, Project Transition intentionally involves the whole family in the college experience to increase retention, open communications channels and build a stronger connection to campus. Research shows that there is a higher success rate for students who are historically under-represented in college if their families are engaged. Project Transition […]

Donna Desiato headshot

Donna DeSiato G’04 Named NYS Superintendent of the Year

Donna DeSiato, superintendent of East Syracuse Minoa (ESM) Central School District, has been named 2021-22 New York State Superintendent of the Year by the New York State Council of School Superintendents. She will be recognized, along with NYS Principal of the Year Eva Williams G’00, on the field during the Syracuse Orange football game vs. […]

Leela George, center, working with educational leadership doctoral students

Educational Equity: The Heart of 21st Century School Leadership

SOE’s educational leadership programs promote institutional and educational equity. Issues of access and opportunity are central to equity-focused educational leadership, which are also central to inclusive systems and philosophy. “Equity in education means full inclusion and educational excellence for every child, not just welcoming every child but ensuring opportunity to learn based on what each […]

ben and marcia baldanza

Marcia ’86 and Ben ’84 Baldanza: A Pledge to Transform Education

Students from diverse backgrounds do better in school and are more likely to go to a four-year college if they have teachers from kindergarten through high school who look like them, numerous studies have shown. Yet, teachers are often not representative of the student body. While U.S. public schools became majority-minority in 2014, nearly 80% […]

Maria Armas '22 with fellow Kappa Delta Pi members at initiation in Fall 2019

Professional Organizations Bring Leadership and Mentorship Opportunities to SOE Students

School of Education students are encouraged to participate in professional organizations which can help them further engage in scholarship, make connections with colleagues and mentors and explore opportunities for career development. Meet two students who have served in leadership roles for their organizations’ local chapters: Maria Armas ’22, Kappa Delta Pi Fundraising Chair (2020-2021) The […]

ashanti hunter and michelle ho

Undergraduate Research Grants Open New Opportunities for Students

Ashanti Hunter and Michelle Ho, inclusive early childhood and special education seniors in the School of Education, are engaged in research with Professor George Theoharis on the pipeline to educational leadership positions for women of color for building and school administrators and district administrators, respectively. They were among the spring 2021 recipients of undergraduate research […]

Jeff Mangram and Don McPherson as football teammates at Syracuse

Tolley Award Recipient Don McPherson ‘87 is Dedicated to Flipping the Script on Masculinity and Relationships

Don McPherson ’87 was honored with the 2021 William Pearson Tolley Medal in recognition of his leadership in higher education, particularly around issues of the student experience, identity and gender violence. His most recent platform for his work, ASPIRE, aims to create a “community of caring” leaders and learners throughout a social ecosystem that includes […]

Marcelle Haddix

Marcelle Haddix honored with 2021 Orange Circle Award

Marcelle Haddix, Distinguished Dean’s Professor of Literacy, Race and Justice in Reading and Language Arts, will be honored with the Orange Circle Award on September 9, 2021. Haddix facilitates many literacy programs in the Syracuse community, including the Writing Our Lives project for urban youth writers, a Black women’s literary club and a free library project. […]

Former Orangeman Demetris Nichols ’07 Profiled by Syracuse.com

Demetris Nichols on new role as Syracuse grad assistant: “I drive to work each day with a smile on my face” (Syracuse.com | Aug. 30, 2021) Demetris Nichols will begin taking classes toward his master’s degree at Syracuse University on Monday, but for the past few months, the former SU star has been teaching a […]

Beth Ferri

Beth Ferri Named Associate Dean for Research in the School of Education

Beth Ferri, professor of inclusive education and disability studies, has been named associate dean for research in the School of Education. “Professor Ferri is an internationally and nationally respected scholar whose work is influential in inclusive education and disability studies. Her stellar research record, including securing external funding for research and doctoral training, makes her […]