The importance of professional development

by Mya McKeown
April 04
Students who major in human development and community engagement (HDCE) are passionate about advocating for their communities. Beyond the classroom, the Human Development and Community Engagement Association (HDCEA) at Temple University helps students connect with one another and find solutions.  Through volunteer and professional development events, the student association encourages its members to create a positive impact in the community. This group, and others like it, is an example of how College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) students learn through practical...

Kamal L. Marell: Empowering Former Foster Youth

by Mya McKeown
March 28
With one cup of coffee, you can support an organization that provides resources to former foster youth. Driven by the desire to create positive change, Kamal L. Marell, EDU '18, embarked on seeking avenues beyond the traditional classroom settings to empower the community around him, especially young adults who have aged out of foster care.  "I didn't want to be in the classroom, but I knew I wanted to involve myself in education, in a space that would allow me to have a big impact on my community. And I chose Temple University because of what it means to Philadelphia, North...

Reflecting on Success at the 43rd Annual Psychology Conference

by Dawn Roberts
March 28
The 43rd Annual School Psychology, Counseling Psychology and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Conference recently concluded at Temple University, uniting mental health professionals and students from a myriad of backgrounds in a successful gathering. Hosted by the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD)'s School Psychology, Counseling Psychology, and ABA programs in collaboration with esteemed partners like the Association of School Psychologists of Pennsylvania, the School District of Philadelphia and CORA Services, this event drew over 230 attendees from diverse...

Kids in Crisis: When Schools Don’t Work

by Jennifer Mittelman
March 28
'Kids in Crisis: When Schools Don't Work' is a General Education course that aims to encourage students to think about race and diversity through the lens of social problems in schools in the United States. Those problems include segregation and racial isolation, school violence, dropout rates and more. Social problems are part of modern society, representing a gap between the ideal vision of society and the reality experienced by individuals within it. Designed by faculty in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) at Temple University, the course allows students...

AERA Comes to Philly

by Rachel Berger
March 26
In less than a month, Philadelphia will host the highly anticipated 2024 American Education Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting. As the city gears up to welcome the largest gathering of education researchers, the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) is thrilled to be at the forefront of this intellectual exchange.  The AERA Annual Meeting, set to kick off on Apr. 11, has over 2,500 sessions centered around this year's theme "Dismantling Racial Injustice and Constructing Educational Possibilities: A Call to Action." The CEHD community is prominently featured...

Honoring a Legacy: The Andrew Spector Special Education Foundation

by Dawn Angelique Roberts
February 29
The College of Education and Human Development is proud to highlight the Andrew Spector Special Education Foundation and its founder, Jeffrey Spector. Spector is a dedicated philanthropist whose unwavering commitment to supporting individuals with special needs led to the establishment of this impactful organization. Spector graciously shared insights into the foundation's mission and its profound impact on promoting education and health within the special needs community. Founded in memory of Spector's brother, Andrew Spector, who passed away five years ago in his early 50's,...

Championing Change for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder

by Ivy Hoa Nguyen
February 28
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain, can affect people living with it throughout their lifespan in the ways they behave, communicate, interact and learn. While signs and symptoms vary, it presents unique challenges for individuals, their loved ones and caretakers in various ways. For Keith Green, KLN '91 and STHM '96, and his wife, the experience of raising their son who has autism inspired the creation of the Autism MVP Foundation. "My son was diagnosed with autism just before his third birthday," Green shares. "They...

Durand Delgado: Advocating for Self and Others

by Mya McKeown
February 28
Being a first-generation college student can motivate you to make the most of your college life because you are the first person in your family to have that college experience. As a first-generation Latinx student with intellectual disability, Durand Delgado understands the value of utilizing resources to advance his education and fulfill his goals.  Delgado is a student in the leadership and career studies (L...

John J. Murphy to Keynote 43rd Annual School Psychology, Counseling Psychology, and Applied Behavior Analysis Conference

by Dawn Angelique Roberts
February 28
John J. Murphy has been selected as the distinguished keynote speaker for the 43rd Annual School Psychology, Counseling Psychology, and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Conference. This prestigious event is hosted by Temple University School Psychology, Counseling Psychology, and ABA Programs in collaboration with esteemed partners such as the Association of School Psychologists of Pennsylvania and the School District of Philadelphia. The conference is scheduled for Friday, March 15, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Temple University's Howard Gittis Student Center. Murphy, an...

How Many Spoons Do You Use in a Day? A Sjogren's Story

by Tina Young
February 27
Do you ever have one of those days when it's hard to get out of bed? Or are your joints achy because of the cold weather? Maybe it's hard to focus on your work tasks? Or you're in the middle of an important meeting and you get a tickle in the back of your throat? Me too, but I struggle with these things daily.   It's been eight years since I was diagnosed with Sjogren's (SHOW-grins) Syndrome, an autoimmune disease that deteriorates my ability to make tears and produce saliva; and causes dry nose, dry skin, fatigue, joint pain and brain fog, among other symptoms. Having an...

Nyana Cofer: A Catalyst for Change

by Ivy Hoa Nguyen
February 26
Nyana Cofer, a Temple Teacher Residency (TTR) graduate from the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) at Temple University, understands the significance of "having the right person to look up to." The Philadelphia native shares she had "a rough upbringing" and "didn't have a role model" in school who looked like her and came from a similar background.  "I'm the oldest of six siblings. We grew up in the Frankford area, where I witnessed and experienced firsthand the negative effect of violence, drug issues, poverty and the lack of resources in my own community,"...

It takes a village to raise a child: the Family Friends program

by Mya McKeown
February 22
The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) at Temple University is a pillar in the Philadelphia community, thanks to the various programs aimed at creating lasting changes and community engagement. One of those programs, called Family Friends, provides caregivers of children with special needs with well-deserved respite through their programming, along with access to resources for the families, while fostering long-term relationships between caregivers, mentors, and children.  "The mission of the program is to reduce stress and isolation for the caregivers, and...

Special Education Programs Prepare Owls to Support Others in Reaching their Potential

by Rachel Berger
February 21
"At Temple, you can be who you want to be, do what you want to do. Strive toward goals irrespective of challenges you're confronted with. Everybody has the potential to learn, to have impact. Every life has meaning and value to some person, some people, some community. As educators, it's our responsibility to ensure every individual reaches their potential and can achieve their goals and experience the good life that they imagine for themselves."This, says Jason Travers, professor and program coordinator of the special education program at Temple University's College of...

Sometimes, it starts with a “hi!”

by Ivy Hoa Nguyen
February 13
A "hi" is all it takes for a love story to unfold. At least, this is true for Nick and Laura, a #TempleMade couple through and through.Nick Adams, EDU '16 and '21, and Laura Bonanni, EDU '17, knew each other when they were undergraduate students in the College of Education and Human Development. The two met while participating in the Jumpstart program, a national early childhood organization that trains students to work with preschool children in under-resourced neighborhoods to promote high-quality early learning for all."We weren't in the same major and didn't see each other...

Temple University Hosts the 43rd Annual School Psychology, Counseling Psychology, and ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) Conference on March 15

by Dawn Angelique Roberts
February 11
The Temple University School Psychology, Counseling Psychology, and ABA Programs, in collaboration with the Association of School Psychologists of Pennsylvania, the School District of Philadelphia, and CORA Services, proudly announce the 43rd Annual School Psychology, Counseling Psychology, and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Conference on Friday, March 15, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event will occur at Temple University's Howard Gittis Student Center, Rooms 200, 217, and 220, located at 1755 N. 13th Street. "This conference serves as a unique opportunity for professionals,...

Promoting Gender Equality Worldwide: Ammani Ahmad-Khan’s Journey to UN Advocacy

by Dawn Angelique Roberts
January 31
After finding her footing at Temple University and graduating in 2021 with a degree in human development and community engagement (HDCE), Ammani Ahmad-Khan is now impacting the global stage. As a consultant for UN Women, she helps develop policies and programs that promote gender equality worldwide.Ahmad-Khan's journey to Temple was not without its challenges. Moving from London to a rural town in western Pennsylvania during high school posed a significant adjustment. She reflected on this period, saying, "I didn't find my feet. I was a sophomore in high school; kids are mean....

Impacting Philadelphia One Owl At A Time

by Mya McKeown
January 30
Oftentimes, when students choose to major in Human Development and Community Engagement, they know that they want to help others. The College of Education and Human Development provides HDCE students with the skills necessary to leave their communities better than they found them.Originally starting his student career in 2011, senior Kyle Macklin first pursued a degree in film, but left school as he struggled with substance abuse. Later, during his recovery, he heard about the William Way LGBT Center through their 12-step programs. The William Way LGBT Center is a hub for...

Elsie Jones: Finding Passion Through Youth Education and Engagement

by Rayma Abdallah
January 30
As graduation is quickly approaching, senior Elsie Jones reflects upon how Temple University has guided her closer to discovering her life's passion. Jones, a Human Development and Community Engagement (HDCE) major in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), did not originally know that this was the path she would take. Fast forward four years and she could not be happier with her decision. As a New Hope, Pennsylvania native, Jones has always been familiar with Philadelphia and was looking for a college experience in a new area. When the Covid-19 pandemic...

Service Rooted in Mission of the College, Passions of the People

by Rachel Berger
January 30
The College of Education and Human Development faculty and staff have an abundance of expertise, and they regularly share their expertise in their research and with students. But, our faculty and staff are also eager to share their expertise to benefit the community. Here are just a few of our faculty and staff members who serve on panels and boards in service of others.  Institute of Education Sciences (IES) PanelistsWe have several faculty serving the scientific community as IES Panel Reviewers and/or Chairs:Judy StullLaura PendergastAnnemarie HindmanMoreover, after...