Fox 13’s The Place highlighted the Utah School Mental Health Collaborative, showcasing how the program supports mental well-being among students and educators. Our own faculty member, Aaron Fischer, was featured in the segment. 

Susan Johnston’s work with Special Education doctoral students was highlighted in the September Martha Bradley Evans Center for Teaching Excellence newsletter. She shared a problem-based learning activity designed to foster belonging in online environments, addressing challenges like distance, limited synchronous interaction, and feelings of isolation.

This work also led to a co-authored, peer-reviewed publication in the Journal of Special Education Preparation, “Supporting Preservice Special Education Teachers: Fostering Community in Online Learning Environments.”

Read the article here.

David Stroupe has been appointed director of the Center for Science and Mathematics Education (CSME), a program at the College of Science that supports K–12 math and science instruction, undergraduate success, and expanded access to STEM education.

Stroupe, also interim associate dean for research and professor of educational psychology in the College of Education, will lead CSME through this inter-college partnership, focusing on graduation, job placement, and student outcomes.

Read more: CoEdu newsfeed; CoS newsfeed. 

Sondra Stegenga presented five sessions at international conferences in Lisbon, showcasing her work on developmental screening, early childhood mental health, and professional preparation.

Highlights include leading a full symposium with national partners and sharing research from multi-year school and state collaborations.

José and his co-authors presented their research on the mathematics curriculum taught at settler colonial U.S. boarding schools for Native American children at the turn of the 20th century. Their study examines how policies and practices in government boarding schools contributed to cultural genocide and land dispossession.

This presentation was part of JRME Talks, featuring advanced presentations on forthcoming papers in the Journal for Research in Mathematics Education.

Natalie Badgett’s application for The AWAKEN Study: Autistic Women’s Knowledge and Experiences of Menopause has been chosen for a $47,110 award from the 1U4U Women Across the Lifespan: Health, Technology & Society Seed Grant Program.

The funding will support the project from October 2025 through March 2027. Learn more about 1U4U.

Aaron Fischer has been awarded a $99,000 grant from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services to expand the Mental Health Study Amendment Grant associated with HB 365.

The project focuses on identifying barriers and reducing wait times for children seeking behavioral health services across Utah providers, schools, and agencies.

Professors Madeline Hafner and Peggy Kong have secured the College of Education’s acceptance into the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED)—a national network of 150+ colleges collaborating to improve the Ed.D. through innovation and shared learning.

Membership expands resources for the College’s online Ed.D. programs and connects faculty, staff, and students to CPED’s exclusive professional development opportunities, webinars, and special interest groups. Read more about CPED membership ›

*Photo details below

Sydnee Dickson, Andrea Rorrer, and Dean Frankie Laanan are helping shape education nationwide as members of the WestEd Board of Directors. WestEd, a nonpartisan research, development, and service agency, works to promote excellence, improve learning, and increase opportunity for children, youth, and adults. Dickson and Rorrer contribute years of expertise, while Dean Laanan brings a newly appointed, fresh perspective. Learn more about WestEd and explore the full Board of Directors.

*Left photo: Dean Laanan, Sydnee Dickson, and Andrea Rorrer.

*Center photo: Andrea Rorrer, Sydnee Dickson, John Arthur (2021 Utah Teacher of the Year), Sylvia Reed (Utah State), Lexi Cunningham (Utah Schools Superintendents Association), Frankie Laanan, and Molly Hart (Utah State Superintendent of Public Instruction).

*Right photo: Jannelle Kubinec (CEO, WestEd), and Frankie Laanan.

Meet Guillermo, whose lifelong passion for education and community led him to the College of Education. After working in K–12 settings and higher education—including running his own piano studio for over a decade and teaching music theory at BYU—Guillermo wanted to return to the collaborative environment of a university. He now supports faculty, staff, and day-to-day operations in the College and loves being part of such a welcoming team.

Guillermo is deeply committed to helping students and resource-limited communities succeed, drawing on his experience with the State of Utah, where he provided academic and financial assistance to help people reach their goals.

Outside of work, Guillermo enjoys spending time with his husband and close friends, immersing himself in cultural festivals—especially those celebrating Latino and Hispanic heritage—and traveling to new places, discovering hidden gems along the way.

The College of Education Dean's Distinguished Speaker Series continues with Arthur Brooks, U of U Impact Scholar and Professor of Business and Government at Harvard University. 

Join us for his lecture titled "Leadership and Happiness" on:

Wednesday, September 24 | 3-4 p.m | SAEC Art Works for Kids Auditorium (1151) 

Tell your students! Bring your classes! 

RSVP here. 

Learn more about Brooks and his research here. 

It’s Homecoming! Reconnect with alumni and friends across a week of traditions.

Check out Signature Events such as the Swoop Sprint 5K (register here), Songfest, Homecoming Tailgate & Game, and U Family Weekend.

Full schedule here. 

Salt Lake City will host the NREA National Forum on Rural Education Oct. 13–15. Learn more & register.

On Oct. 16, colleagues from the University of Mississippi will visit our College of Education to discuss rural education initiatives and explore collaborations. Faculty and graduate students interested in participating can reach out to David for details.

With Professor Omi Salas-Santacruz, the College of Education will host the 2026 Association for Jotería Arts, Activism, and Scholarship (AJAAS) Conference on March 19–22, 2026, marking its 15th anniversary.

This year’s theme is “Rooted in Love, Blooming through Refusal, Rising in Resistance: 15 Years of Jotería Memory & World-making.”

Submit your proposal by October 20 here.

The Council for the Study of Community Colleges (CSCC), with Jason Taylor, Associate Professor of ELP, Assistant Dean of Transfer Student Success, CSCC President-Elect, and Conference Program Chair, will host its 67th Annual Conference.

This year’s theme is “Elevating Community College Value and Versatility.”

Submit your proposal by November 3, 2025, here.

As announced collegewide, the University of Utah is developing the Navigate Hub for Education and Social Work.

What is the Navigate Hub for Education and Social Work? 

· Focused on undergraduate advising in elementary/secondary education, social work, educational psychology, behavioral health, and related fields.

· Brings together Education and Social Work, two of the University’s most community-centered disciplines.

Who can I find in the Hub? 

· Academic Advisors, Career Coaches, Student Success Coaches, and other key partners.

Where is the new Navigate Hub? 

· Suite 319, College of Social Work.

When does the Hub officially launch? 

· An Associate Director will be hired soon, reporting jointly to Dean Laanan and Dean Osteen.

· The Hub officially launched in September and things are moving along nicely. We’ll keep you updated!

The College of Education’s Marketing & Communications team supports creative, media, digital, and branding projects that showcase and advance the College’s mission.

Submit your ideas through our new CoEdu Marketing & Communications Request Form.

We’re here to help celebrate your successes and bring your vision to life!

Need tools for your projects? Visit our new CoEdu Marketing & Communications webpage for logos, updated letterhead, and PowerPoint slides—all in one place!

Do you need to make a web update request? 

Please email: coedu-websupport@utah.edu. 

Are you a faculty or staff member with questions about HR, finance, or administration? 

Please email:  CoEdu.Support@utah.edu. 

By newly centralizing these services, the dean's office aims to ensure that faculty and staff won’t have to navigate institutional systems on their own when in need of assistance.

We are collecting feedback on our social media channels from CoEdu students.

Please consider sharing this survey with your undergraduate and graduate classes: 

CoEdu Student Social Media Survey.

Did you know you can access the latest editions of EDU Magazine online? Read all issues here. 

The College of Education values open communication with you. We invite you to take advantage of this simple and anonymous way to share success stories, suggestions, and informal feedback that do not require a direct or immediate response.

All entries will be routed to the email address coe-feedback@utah.edu.

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