It’s been a whirlwind 18 months for Syracuse University School of Education Advisory Board member Felicia Walker ’87, P’17. What started as a trip with friends to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania has become a commitment to build out and maintain a pre-school/kindergarten in a small village close to the city of Arusha, some 100 […]
“I know special education because I lived special education,” writes Carly Rosen ’14 on her website advocateforaction.org. At school, Rosen developed her own learning style, which, “along with having an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and later a 504 Plan to support me, had a meaningful impact that led to great success.” Rosen’s advocate was her […]
It started with trivia nights at the Inn Complete and a mutual fandom of Orange sports and grew into a life filled with Orange pride, campus milestones and a little one who thinks Otto the Orange runs the world. For Brianna G’20 and Kevin Shults G’20, Syracuse University isn’t just where they work—it’s where their […]
As point guard for the Orange women’s basketball team, Raquel-Ann “Roxi” Nurse McNabb ’98, G’99, P’25 was known for helping her teammates “make buckets”—a lot of buckets. The 1997 Syracuse University Athlete of the Year, two-time MVP, and three-time BIG EAST Academic All-Star still ranks fifth in all-time career assists at Syracuse. Twenty-five years later, […]
Instructional design program alumnus Lawrence “Larry” Swiader ’89, G’93 has built a career at the intersection of storytelling, education, and technology—a path that’s taken him from the early days of analog editing as a student in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications to leading cutting-edge educational projects using artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality […]
The University’s first inclusive study abroad trip has redefined what inclusive higher education looks like, blending immersive cultural experiences with academic exploration of inclusive education across borders. This two-week program, held in June 2025, brought together students with and without intellectual disability, reflecting a commitment to making global education more inclusive and accessible to everyone. […]
Laura Rouse holds a Certificate of Advanced Study (2017) and Ed.D. (2022) in Educational Leadership from Syracuse University School of Education. Her doctoral dissertation—”Unveiling the Unmarked Implications for Culturally Responsive Educational Leadership”—explores the ways Whiteness exists in predominately White rural pre-K through grade 12 public education. In 2024, Rouse founded Supernal Insights LLC, an educational […]
NY teachers push for AI protections in the classroom (Spectrum News | July 3, 2025) At a recent rally in Ithaca, teachers called on state lawmakers to protect the uniquely human side of their profession. Many fear that without regulation, AI tools could replace core parts of their job — and damage the critical teacher-student […]
When the latest national trend toward challenging children’s books in community and school libraries came to her small Western Pennsylvania town, Morgan Meddings ’25 was shocked and dismayed, but not intimidated. An honors student and inclusive elementary major, Meddings channeled her energy into developing a school curriculum designed to defend challenged books. This project was […]
Fretting over fireworks: Dealing with sounds, sights and smells this Independence Day (Via Spectrum News | July 3, 2025) The Fourth of July celebrates America’s independence, usually with concerts, cookouts and, of course, fireworks. Fireworks are meant to be exciting and bring joy to viewers, but for some military veterans, the displays can trigger tough […]
In May 2025, Syracuse University School of Education said “farewell” to Nick Piato G’22 after three years as program coordinator for The SENSES Project, which seeks to increase sense of belonging for students through the use of music and podcast creation. SENSES is an initiative of the TRIO Student Support Services program, part of SOE’s […]
Carolyn Fernandes ’25 remembers walking out of an interview for a design internship that she ended up not getting. She wondered if fidgeting with her nails—a common, repetitive expression of her nervous energy every day—was misconstrued as a sign of not paying attention and a reason for her not getting the position. Fernandes is part […]
You could say that lacrosse is in Neal Powless’s blood. Powless G’08, the University ombuds, is a school counseling master’s program alum and a member of the Onondaga Nation Eel Clan. He is the son, grandson, and brother of legendary lacrosse players. Powless picked up a lacrosse stick for the first time at age 2. […]
Some officials say New York’s phone ban good for students (Spectrum News | June 5, 2025) It’s a new law that will impact K-12 students across the Empire State – internet-enabled devices won’t be allowed in schools from bell to bell. School districts are required to have a new written policy posted on their website […]
Holding a Ph.D. focusing on special education and teaching and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Disability Studies from Syracuse University School of Education, Katie Ducett G’22, G’23 is an assistant professor at SUNY-Cortland, a short drive south from Syracuse on Interstate 81. “The department I am a part of is called Foundations and Social […]
My Kindergarten Class Taught Me What’s Really at Stake in Mahmoud v. Taylor (The Nation | June 2, 2025) Twenty-five years ago, I was teaching kindergarten in Wisconsin. It was time for the annual unit on families. As any good early childhood teacher knows, when you teach a family unit, you need picture books that […]