Students, staff and faculty members from Penn State's College of Education share recent research and career achievements.
- Brittany Aronson, associate professor of education, is lead author of an article, “Unionized Teachers of Color’s Interpretations of the Silencing of Diversity Discourse in Florida,” recently published in Workplace: A Journal for Academic Labor. Her co-authors include Haniyeh Kheirkhah, a a research assistant in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, and Mildred Boveda, associate professor of special education.
- SeriaShia Chatters, interim vice provost for educational equity and adjunct associate teaching professor of counselor education, co-authored a practice brief, “Major Depressive Disorder” with Carlos P. Zalaquett, professor emeritus of counselor education, and Saiber Shaikh, a doctoral candidate in the Counselor Education and Supervision program, for the American Counseling Association’s Counseling Nexus.
- The Penn State College of Education was strongly represented at the Comparative and International Education Society Annual Meeting 2026 in San Francisco, where the Comparative and International Education (CIED) Dual-Title Degree Program showcased an impressive breadth of scholarship and collaboration. Across the conference, 21 doctoral students and nine faculty members contributed to 26 presentations exploring critical issues in global education — from equity and language policy to peacebuilding, civic engagement, and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in education.
- Joseph Polizzi, associate teaching professor and director of the World Campus Online Doctor of Education (D.Ed.) program, delivered the keynote for the International Teacher’s University (ITU) Virtual Conference that was held in early April. He spoke on "Discerning Love: Confronting Education with Joy, Equanimity, and Empathy," “focusing on a call to re-center our work as educators around disciplined care, intellectual humility, and the courage to engage across difference.” Dareen Barbour, a student in the online D.Ed. program, also attended the conference.
- Penn State has honored Boni Richardson, administrative support assistant in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, with the 2026 Support Staff Award — recognizing excellence in service, teamwork and dedication across the University.
- Carmen Vanderhoof, associate teaching professor of education, recently presented at the National Science Teaching Association Conference in Anaheim, California with two of her interns. The title of their talk was “Applying Engagement Strategies from a Science Museum and Maker Space to Maximize Science Instructional Time.”
"College of Education News" highlights accomplishments by faculty, staff and students in the College of Education, including publications; research presentations at conferences and workshops; and awards and fellowships. Please share your news with us and your colleagues by emailing edrelations@psu.edu.