Temple University’s College of Education and Human Development Celebrates Greatness at 2025 Graduation Ceremony

by Nicole Whitman
May 01
Temple University's College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) will honor the Class of 2025 at its graduation ceremony on Wednesday, May 7, at 2:00 p.m. A live stream will be available for remote viewing, ensuring everyone can participate in this joyous milestone. "This year's graduation ceremony provides all of us with an opportunity to celebrate curiosity, resilience and agency. The graduates of the College of Education and Human Development are equipped to take on some of the most vexing issues facing public education and human and organizational development," said...

Keynote Speaker Spotlight: Stacy E. Holland, Transformational Education Leader

by Elisabeth Joyce
April 30
For more than three decades, Stacy E. Holland has been a powerful force for transformational change in education. Grounded in the lived experiences of the children and youth she's worked with and a deep belief in what is possible for every young person, Holland has dedicated her career to creating equitable educational opportunities that empower youth to thrive both in school and in life.Holland currently serves as executive director of Elevate 215, an organization committed to collaboration, research-based strategies and investment in proven solutions. Her career also includes...

Beyond the Classroom: How Aayushi Doshi Redefined Education Through Passion and Policy

by Polina Krilyk
April 29
For Aayushi Doshi, education has never been just a career path. It is a lifelong passion that took root early and grew stronger with every new experience. From guiding preschoolers to being ready to deliver her speech at the 2025 College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) Graduation Ceremony, she has always found herself drawn to education in ways she never expected. Her journey has been shaped by unexpected opportunities, bold decisions and a deep curiosity about the world.  The Spark That Ignited a Lifelong Passion Long before she committed to Temple, Doshi had already...

Perseverance, Purpose and Pushing Through: Lisa Wilson’s Journey to Temple University’s Graduate School

by Sanaa White
April 23
When Lisa Wilson found out she was selected as the graduate student speaker for Temple University College of Education and Human Development (CEHD)'s 2025 Graduation Ceremony, she was overwhelmed with emotion. "I screamed and then I cried," she recalled. "It felt like I conquered something that had always scared me." The moment was more than a milestone—it was a powerful symbol of how far she had come. A longtime educator and non-traditional learner, Wilson's path to the podium was paved with perseverance, purpose and an unwavering belief in the power of education.  ...

Temple Alumni Making an Impact in Education and Community Leadership

by Ivy Hoa Nguyen
April 21
Temple University College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) is proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our alumni. Through their dedication and impact, they embody Temple's values and demonstrate the power of education to transform lives and communities. Meet Sharmain W. Matlock-Turner, EDU '97, a visionary leader and advocate for change—and the CEHD 2025 Gallery of Success Honoree. As CEO of the Urban Affairs Coalition since 1999, Matlock-Turner has been a driving force for change in Philadelphia. Under her leadership, UAC has managed over $1 billion...

From Art to Impact: Cory Roberts’ Passion for Applied Research and Evaluation

by Polina Krilyk
April 07
Cory Roberts never planned on becoming a researcher. In fact, when he started his undergraduate studies, research was the last thing on his mind. He was an art student, who was immersed in the realm of creativity and expression. However, life has a way of redirecting even the most well-laid plans. Today, as a graduate student in the Temple University College of Education and Human Development's applied research and evaluation program, Roberts is exactly where he wants to be. Robert's story started in Portland, Oregon, where he spent his early years exploring the arts. He earned...

Rooted in Resilience: How Trista Mayo Turned Uncertainty into a Lifeline for Others

by Polina Krilyk
April 03
Initially enrolled as a music student at Temple University, Trista Mayo, currently a senior in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), never imagined that a few years later, she would be in a completely different domain, rooted in service, community work and a growing passion for counseling psychology.  Growing up in Reading, Pennsylvania, Mayo was raised in a family that emphasized volunteerism. Her mother instilled in her a deep sense of responsibility for others, a lesson that would later shape her life in ways she hadn't anticipated. As a child, she was drawn...

Philly Cares mural showcases artwork designed by school students

by Ayana Jones
April 02
An impactful mural featuring artwork designed by area K-12 students now graces the home of Temple University's College of Education and Human Development (CEHD). The Philly Cares mural located in Ritter Hall features 288 artworks designed by K-12 students attending schools in the Philadelphia region. Each square in the mural represents one of these students and their ideas about who they are and what they care about. The project is a collaboration between CEHD and the Art Education and Community Arts Practices Department at Tyler School of Art and Architecture. The mural was...

Holmes Scholar Program at Temple University: Supporting Future Educational Leaders

by Christine An
April 01
Temple University has recently become part of the Holmes Scholar Program, an initiative dedicated to fostering the academic and professional success of graduate students. Part of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) Holmes Program, this initiative provides mentorship, professional development, and a strong support network to Masters, PhD, and EdD students pursuing careers in education.  A Community of Support and Mentorship The Holmes Scholar Program at Temple is designed to address the challenges often faced by students in academia. As Sue Kelley...

Alexis Washington: Inaugural Holmes Scholar at Temple University

by Christine An
March 28
When Alexis Washington took a leap of faith and applied to be a Holmes Scholar, she had no idea just how transformative the experience would be. Now, as one of two inaugural Holmes Scholars at Temple University, Washington is continuing her doctoral studies determined to shape the future of education through advocacy, research and mentorship.  Before joining the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership program in the College of Education and Human Development at Temple University, Washington built a career in both higher education and K-12 education. Beginning in student...

Penny Sparks Nixon Named 2025 Recipient of the Constance Clayton Urban Education Leadership Award

by Elisabeth Joyce
March 25
The College of Education and Human Development proudly announces Penny Sparks Nixon, superintendent of schools and chief executive officer of Universal Schools, as this year's distinguished honoree for the prestigious Constance Clayton Urban Education Leadership Award. Selected by a committee of faculty, alumni, students and community partners, this distinguished honor recognizes leaders who embody excellence, innovation and an unwavering commitment to the advancement of urban education. "Dr. Penny Sparks Nixon is an experienced servant leader, educator, and academic...

Katerina Bezhani: Building Community Through Sports Based Youth Development

by Ivy Hoa Nguyen
March 18
In the heart of West Philadelphia, Katerina Bezhani, a senior in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) at Temple University, is making a profound impact through her passion for youth development and community building. Through founding KAT Academy, a social entrepreneurship initiative offering soccer, tennis and leadership programs, Bezhani has dedicated her career to ensuring accessibility and inclusion in sports-based youth development. Born in Germany to Albanian parents, Bezhani moved to the U.S. at the age of seven when her father, a biologist, received a...

Latesha Watson: Inaugural Holmes Scholar at Temple University

by Christine An
March 13
For Latesha Watson, a doctoral student and one of two inaugural Holmes Scholars at Temple University, the idea of support is paramount. Not only does she point to the support she receives through mentorship and professional development provided by the Holmes Program, but she also recognizes the value of the support she can provide to others. "It's about visibility in spaces, but also the support that faculty in a teacher prep program could give to people who want to be teachers, and how that support also trickles down in K-12 settings." When she first learned about the Holmes...

Dean Monika Williams Shealey advocates for support of teacher recruitment and retention efforts

by Ayana Jones
March 12
Monika Williams Shealey, dean of the Temple University College of Education and Human Development, advocated for state support of teacher recruitment and retention initiatives as she testified during a Pennsylvania House Education Committee information meeting. Shealey joined representatives from the Education Commission of the States, the Pennsylvania State Education Association, Teach Plus Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Association of Career and Technical Administrators, and the Center for Black Educator Development in providing testimony about modifying Pennsylvania's...

Temple Professor James Earl Davis elected to the prestigious National Academy of Education

March 05
James Earl Davis, the Bernard C. Watson Endowed Chair in Urban Education at Temple, was recently elected to the National Academy of Education. The academy recognizes top education leaders and scholars in the country from a wide range of expertise in education research and policy.  Davis has published research on education pathways, gender and race, and postsecondary opportunities for more than 25 years. His research has led to a better understanding of the unique role and character of Black boys and young men in schools, including the challenges that they may face. As a...

Project ASPIRE: Special Education Through Research and Collaboration

by Christine An
February 28
The field of special education faces a critical shortage of both teachers and faculty members. In response, Project Advancing Specialized Professionals Who Integrate Research Evidence (ASPIRE), a collaborative effort between Temple University and the University of Virginia (UVA), aims to bridge this gap by training future faculty members who will, in turn, educate the next generation of special education teachers. The initiative provides PhD scholars with opportunities to engage in diverse special education research, collaborate with faculty, and contribute to evidence-based...

Olivia Kurtz's Newfound Journey to Serving her Community through Education

by Sanaa White
February 27
For Olivia Kurtz, education has always been a passion, but the path to her career wasn't always clear. Growing up in the suburbs of Long Island, New York, she was aware of the differences between her hometown and Philadelphia, but she was excited for a change and eager for a fresh start.  "I never expected that moving to Philadelphia would help with picking my major and ignite my passion for urban education," Kurtz said. "Temple was the only city school that I had applied to."  Kurtz joined Temple University in 2021 as an undecided student, unsure of what she wanted to study or...

Temple professor’s groundbreaking use of AI and virtual reality revolutionizes teacher education

by Brent Baum
February 20
Temple University's College of Education and Human Development was recently awarded the 2025 Best Practice Award for the Innovative Use of Technology by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE). Di Liu, assistant professor of instruction in the Department of Teaching and Learning in the College of Education and Human Development, was recognized for his revolutionary use of artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) platform technology in preparing future educators to be more equipped to teach multilingual students. "Through the innovative...

A Cinderella (Shoe) Story

by Derek Coffman
February 18
Like Cinderella, a great love story should begin with "Nice shoes." That's how Christine, née Adams, EDU '01, remembers meeting Jerome, EDU '01, on her first day at Temple University in the fall of 1999. Later that afternoon, Jerome would find himself in the same class as Christine. "Each class, I'd work my way to sit closer and closer together," he said. "Then, I finally found an excuse to talk to her." After only a few dates, the pair decided to see if they could make it work, and a year and a half later, the two were married. Jerome proposed during a romantic getaway weekend...