Congratulations to EPOL Ph.D. candidate Jen Whiting and her team on being named Runner-Up and Best Pitch for her project AI/O. It is a training platform that helps police officers practice high-stakes communication through realistic, repeatable simulations with measurable performance feedback.

The journal, Educational Theory, is 75 years old this year. But like many things, it's just getting better with age, expanding into new, modern ways of stimulating conversation in educational circles. See how this venerable resource is just getting started:

Congrats to Mostafa Hanafy on his selection as a judge for the American Evaluation Association Student Case Competition. More: blogs.illinois.edu/view/1526/17...

Present at this year's CREA IX Conference 📢 Proposals are now being accepted on this year's theme: Future-Forward in Cultural Responsiveness: Opportunity, Equity, Evidence, and Innovation.

Congrats to Asif Wilson, assistant professor C&I, on receiving the Watkins Award from the Society of Professors in Education. It recognizes individuals who are dedicated to curriculum studies, community engagement, socio-political and class issues, and cultural advocacy through their studies.

Our own Dean Mouza will serve as Chair of the Consortium of University and Research Institutions (CURI) Executive Committee of @aeraedresearch.bsky.social. As the leader, she will help advance the field of educational research and the next generation of educational scientists and scholars.

We invite you to attend a special book discussion at The Literary in downtown Champaign next Wednesday, featuring EPOL professors Osly Flores and Rachel Roegman. They will share insights from their recent research and newly published works on educational leadership.

College of Education professor emeritus Kenneth Travers passed away on March 23, leaving behind a storied legacy. Travers, Ph.D. '65 ED, was a world-renowned researcher of mathematics education and served as the founding director of the Office for Mathematics, Science, & Technology.

Graduation weekend is just over one month away! How are you doing on your convocation to-do list? Have you: - Applied for graduation? - Registered for the Education Ceremony? - Registered for main commencement (optional)? - Ordered your academic attire? Info: https://bit.ly/4vkMZ70

Congratulations to Nate Wahl, Ed.D. student in EPOL, on winning the People's Choice award at the Graduate College's Research Live! competition. His presentation, "Teaching is Not Neutral," won the audience vote for their favorite presentation.

Congratulations to Hyun-Sook Kang, associate professor EPOL, on being elected to two leadership positions in the Comparative and International Education Society. Kang has been elected treasurer and also chair-elect of the Abroad and International Students special interest group.

H. Chad Lane, professor of C&I and EPSY, will participate in a panel “Navigating AI Together: Conversations on Teaching, Research, and Responsibility” on Wednesday, April 15. Please register today to attend. More: https://blogs.illinois.edu/view/1526/474620007

Congratulations to Destiny Williams-Dobosz, Ph.D. '25 EPSY, on receiving the Outstanding Dissertation Award from the Critical Examination of Race, Ethnicity, Class, and Gender SIG of @aeraedresearch.bsky.social.

Congratulations to Curriculum & Instruction assistant professor Devon Hedrick-Shaw on receiving the Outstanding Dissertation Award, third place, from the Bilingual Education Research SIG of @aeraedresearch.bsky.social

With three programs ranked in the top ten, we're once again recognized as a leader in graduate student education. U.S. News and World Report has recognized us as one of the best graduate programs in the country for 2026. Explore our full rankings:

Congratulations to Oliver Tapaha, assistant professor EPOL, on receiving the Bobby Wright Award for Early Career Contributions to Research in Indigenous Education by the Indigenous Peoples of the Americas SIG of @aeraedresearch.bsky.social. More:

It’s never too early to get your graduation apparel squared away. Order your cap & gown and any other grad accessories before April 13 to avoid the price increase. More Info: https://commencement.illinois.edu/caps-and-gowns/

Congratulations to Jiadi Zhang, Ph.D. ’25 C&I, on winning the outstanding dissertation award from the AAPI-ER SIG of AERA. More: https://blogs.illinois.edu/view/1526/1995604228

Congratulations to Shawna Cooper-Whitehead, '99 Elementary Education, on being named the next president of Regis University. She joins from @bostoncollege.bsky.social where she served as vice president of student affairs.

Join us tomorrow for a Fireside Chat with Julian Williams, Senior Evaluation Officer at the MacArthur Foundation. He will present “From Campus to Career: There’s No Straight Line to Impact”from 10 - noon in the O'Leary Learning Center. More Info: https://bit.ly/47CefDQ

Next week, at the AERA Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, Education at Illinois will once again be well represented. By the numbers: 🔸 145 people representing the College of Education 🔹 95 unique presentations or sessions 🔸 9 AERA Fellows 🔹 7 Division Officers or Committee Leaders 🔸 13 Award Winners

Congratulations to Monica González Ybarra on receiving the Early Career Award from the Latinx Research SIG of @aeraedresearch.bsky.social. She’ll be honored during next week’s AERA Annual Meeting in Los Angeles.

Growing up, Thomas Peters knew what his parents expected of him. Get a good education. 40 years and four Illinois degrees later, he’s passing on that legacy to a new generation of students. The Thomas F. and Theresa S. Peters Education Scholarship aims to help develop tomorrow’s STEM educators.

These are the good old days 🧡💙

The partnership between the French Ministry of Education and the University of Illinois has allowed hundreds of students to visit France and learn. After 10 years, the partnership is expanding with a new grant that will enhance the overseas experience our students can gain.

Congratulations to Chezare Warren, ’05 Elementary Education, on winning the 2026 Scholars of Color in Education Mid-Career Contribution Award from @aeraedresearch.bsky.social as part of its 2026 awards for excellence in education research.

A group from Education Policy, Organization & Leadership has published a chapter in a new book, Critical Perspectives on Diversity in English Language Education. The chapter is titled Multilinguals as Legitimate Citizens in U.S. Higher Education: Collaborative Autoethnography.

Congratulations to Alexandra Richmond, Ph.D. '25 SPED, on receiving the Student Research Award from the @cecmembership.bsky.social. Her dissertation, Exploring Trauma-Informed Care with Black Special and General Educators, was selected in the qualitative methods area.

The connection between parents and their infant children isn’t always automatic. Intervention specialists can help parents develop those bonds. Susan Connor, director of EITP, spoke with David W. Willis about the program and how it supports parents and practitioners throughout Illinois.

Healing Training & Research Clinic co-director Lydia Khuri says they aim to provide students with hands-on experience while also serving as a much-needed resource to the community.

Congratulations to Taiylor Rayford, Ph.D. '25 @epsyatillinois.bsky.social, on receiving the Outstanding Dissertation Award from @aeraedresearch.bsky.social Division E. She will be recognized at the upcoming annual meeting in April. More: https://blogs.illinois.edu/view/1526/1142123210

I feel the madness setting in 🏀 Good luck to the Illini Men’s and Women’s basketball teams in the NCAA tournaments. #EveryDayGuys #OneWay

Associate professor Hyun-Sook Kang and Ed.D. student Allison Hinds have published a new paper highlighting the potential of joint-degree language programs as a viable strategy for mitigating the plight affecting language programs in higher education and beyond. More:

Anne Pradzinski, director of the Early Childhood Pathway Program, has been a key contributor to a U. of I. System pilot program for working educators. See how we’re working to shape those who shape the lives of future professionals in every field:

Congratulations to @ciatillinois.bsky.social Idalia Nuñez on receiving the Early Career Researcher Award from the Bilingual Education Research SIG of AERA. More: https://blogs.illinois.edu/view/1526/1113488487

The University of Illinois is still a very competitive school to be admitted to. But with a forecasted drop in the birth rate, for how long? Interim Head of EPOL Lorenzo Baber talked with The Daily Illini about how the university is changing tactics to get ahead of changing student demographics.

Being a cooperating teacher means making a connection with young educators. This helps them become better teachers and provides a foundation for their careers. Ready to be a cooperating teacher? Apply today. See how our cooperating teachers impact our student teachers: https://bit.ly/4b3Ysic

Welcome home! Congratulations to all the newest Illini receiving their admission today. We can't wait until you're here! Schedule a visit: https://bit.ly/46XiqKj

Honoring his legacy, the Dr. David Zola Coffee Bar is the hub of collaboration, community, and inspiration within the College of Education. Supporting it provides coffee, snacks, and equipment upgrades that directly impact Education students. Support the Zola Coffee Bar ▶️ https://bit.ly/4aOnCku

When you give to study abroad scholarships for the College of Education, you invest in educators who will inspire understanding, curiosity, and compassion. Go #OrangeAndBlue and make global learning accessible, affordable, and transformative for our students. ▶️ https://bit.ly/46ppZsO

Asif Wilson has been touring Illinois screening his new documentary, Against the Current. The documentary follows a Chicago Public School student as she travels from Chicago to Cairo, exploring sites of Black resistance. She and Wilson talked to ABC-7 Chicago about the film and its powerful message

Teachers! We're looking for cooperating teachers in Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle Grades, and Secondary English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. If you're interested in hosting student teachers in your classroom, apply today: https://bit.ly/405kHPC

In his most recent state of the state address, Governor J.B. Pritzker renewed his call for a cellphone ban in Illinois classrooms. Rebecca Hinze-Pifer talked with WCIA 3 about the fine line administrators must walk between enforcement and equitable treatment.

Registration for Convocation 2026 is now open 🌟 If you’re looking forward to celebrating with us at the College of Education ceremony on May 17, don’t forget to sign up! 🎓 Register here: https://go.education.illinois.edu/convocation-registration

Congratulations to @ciatillinois.bsky.social assistant professor Devon Hedrick-Shaw on receiving an honorable mention dissertation award from the National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE). More:

Congratulations to Lisa Jackson, '95 English Education, on being named to the Illinois State Board of Education's Teacher of the Year cohort and Special Education teacher of the Year! Jackson teaches high school and special education classes at Woodland High School in Streator, IL.

Congrats to @ciatillinois.bsky.social's Asif Wilson on receiving two grants from the State of Illinois. A $2 million grant from the Illinois State Board of Education will help Wilson and a team of Illinois scholars develop resources and training for inclusive social studies for teachers statewide.

Get ready for Illinois Orange & Blue Days! 🔶 🔷 Held March 4-6, Illinois’ three-day crowdfunding initiative supports student experiences and campus projects. Give to a project that supports our students: Education Study Abroad: https://bit.ly/46ppZsO Zola Coffee Bar: https://bit.ly/4aOnCku

Champaign's Danielle Mallett, ’17 Elementary Education, was named to the 14-member Teacher of the Year cohort as Bilingual Teacher of the Year. Mallett has found a special connection with Stratton Academy of the Arts, where she has taught since her student teaching placement.

The Latina Voces program partners students at Urbana High School with university faculty, including @ciatillinois.bsky.social Idalia Nuñez, Monica Gonzalez Ybarra, and Catherine Dornfeld Tissenbaum, to create art that celebrates their identities.