Pushing boundaries. It’s what we do here in the Penn State College of Education. Every day, in every way, our students, faculty and staff are finding ways to do what they do … better. We as a community have thrown out the status quo, because the status quo does not address the inequities found in education or in our everyday lives.

By pushing boundaries in research, we are finding new ways to teach, so everyone has the opportunity to learn. One example of this is the work being done by Heather Toomey Zimmerman, who is leading a research project exploring the use of augmented reality to enhance learning about local science for rural families. Another example is research being done by a team including Peggy Van Meter that is leading to the development of a framework for the assessment of doctoral students in the natural sciences. You can read about both of these research projects in this issue of the magazine.

While meaningful work is being done throughout our college, if I had to choose one person who embodies the spirit of “pushing boundaries” and “changing education by educating for change,” it would have to be the subject of our cover story, Kaela Fuentes-Packnick. Kaela first came to the College of Education as a high school student enrolled in our Summer College Opportunity Program in Education (S.C.O.P.E.) in 2004. She went on to get her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from our college, and now is a postdoctoral scholar with us. Throughout her career with us, Dr. Packnick has pushed the boundaries of what was possible. As a postdoctoral scholar in anti-racist pedagogy, she is again pushing boundaries and challenging the conventional model of a postdoc by incorporating a practitioner focus into what historically has been a research-focused position. In keeping with the college strategic plan, she is working to bring more inclusive practices into all of the college’s courses. You can read her truly inspiring story here.

Our college has a lot of inspiring alumni, but I want to highlight one in particular: Cornel Pewewardy, who was just named an Alumni Fellow. This is the highest honor bestowed by the Penn State Alumni Association. Dr. Pewewardy was on campus at the end of September to receive his award, and he spent some time with us in the college. Earning his D.Ed. in educational administration in 1989, Dr. Pewewardy has dedicated his life’s work to bringing together the power of Indigenous education with the power of higher education. Learn more about him in this story.

Finally, I want to call to your attention this article about Giving Tuesday. To advance our mission of “changing education by educating for change,” the College of Education once again will raise financial support for the Office of Education and Social Equity (OESE). The Office of Education and Social Equity works to foster equity and inclusion by creating educational opportunities and experiences, raising awareness and developing strategies and tools to enhance intercultural, racial/ethnic competence. For many students, it is their home away from home, their community, their “safe space.” The staff is passionate about fostering this welcoming environment, as well as working to increase access to post-secondary opportunities, and infusing equity and inclusion across the curriculum and student experiences. Please visit https://raise.psu.edu/givingtuesdayedu to learn more about supporting OESE on Giving Tuesday.

I encourage you to continue to follow what’s happening in our college through Bridges, our e-newsletter. If you don’t receive that twice-monthly email newsletter and would like to, please email edrelations@psu.edu and ask to be added to the subscription list.