College of Education (COE)
COE News
- Deceember 2, 2025 -
UMID Transition Resource Fair Hosts Hundreds of Students with Disabilities
MEMPHIS, Tenn.- The University of Memphis Institute on Disability (UMID) hosted its Fall 2025 Transition
Resource Fair Thursday, Nov. 20, welcoming nearly 300 high school students with intellectual
and developmental disabilities from across the region. The event continues a long
tradition of connecting students and families to the services, programs and community
resources that help young adults prepare for successful and inclusive futures.
- November 18, 2025 -
Student / Mentor / Supervisor of the Month: November 2025
MEMPHIS, Tenn.- The College of Education (COE) Office of Teacher Education and Clinical Practice
(OTECP) is proud to announce the recipients of Student Teacher, Mentor Teacher and
Supervisor of the Month for November 2025: Olivia Brown, Amy McCoy and Rebecca Bocz.
- November 12, 2025 -
EDPR Student Receives Distinguished Research Award
MEMPHIS, Tenn. Zaria J. Reed, a BA to PhD student in Educational Psychology and Research (EDPR), has received the Distinguished Research in Progress Award at the Mid-South Educational Research
Association (MSERA) 2025 Conference in New Orleans.
- October 22, 2025 -
University of Memphis Institute on Disability Returns to Dean’s Office, Names Patrick Krolik Co-Director
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – As the need for inclusive higher education and disability support continues to grow nationwide, the University of Memphis Institute on Disability (UMID) is entering a new phase of growth and collaboration under the College of Education Dean’s Office.
Read more about UMID’s new leadership- October 20, 2025 -
COE Awarded $925K to Strengthen Vocational Rehabilitation Workforce
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis College of Education (COE) has been awarded a five-year,
$925,657 Rehabilitation Long-Term Training Grant by the U.S. Department of Education’s
(ED) Rehabilitation Services Administration. The grant supports COE’s graduate
program in Vocational Rehabilitation, which enhances employment outcomes for individuals
with disabilities by increasing the number of professionals with master’s degrees
in rehabilitation counseling.
- October 16, 2025 -
UMID Awarded $1.86 Million to Expand Inclusive Higher Education
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis Institute on Disability (UMID) has been awarded a five-year, $1.86 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to expand inclusive postsecondary education opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities.
Read more about...- October 2 -
Carnival Memphis Names UMID and TigerLIFE a 2025 Children’s Charity Partner
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis Institute on Disability (UMID) and
its TigerLIFE program have been selected as one of the 2025 Children’s Charity
Initiative beneficiaries by Carnival Memphis, a philanthropic organization that has
celebrated and supported the Mid-South community since 1931.
- September 29 -
Student / Mentor / Supervisor of the Month: September 2025
MEMPHIS, Tenn - The College of Education (COE) Office of Teacher Education and Clinical Practice (OTECP) is proud to announce the recipients of Student Teacher, Mentor Teacher and Supervisor of the Month for September 2025: Jalice Sargent, John Rawson and Jennifer Bubrig.
Read more about this month's winners
- September 25 -
UofM College of Education Strengthens Teacher Pipeline Through Partnerships with 14 School Districts
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis College of Education (COE) has finalized agreements
with 14 school districts across West Tennessee, expanding opportunities for teacher candidates to complete internships and residencies
in K–12 classrooms.
- September 8 -
Dr. Ayers at the Forefront of STEMM Education and Outreach at St. Jude
Dr. Kate Ayers believes every student should have the opportunity to see themselves
as a scientist. An alumna of the University of Memphis College of Education’s
Educational Psychology and Research (EDPR) program, she is bringing that vision to
life through her leadership of the STEMM Education and Outreach Program at St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital.
- August, 4 -
HAPPEL-PARKINS NAMED DEPARTMENT CHAIR
MEMPHIS, Tenn. –The College of Education (COE) at the University of Memphis has announced the appointment of Dr. Alison Happel-Parkins as chair of the Department of Leadership (LEAD).
Read more- June 30, 2025 -
Alumni Leadership Publish on Online EdD Comprehensive Exams
MEMPHIS, Tenn. –Two proud alumni of the University of Memphis College of Education are helping shape the future of doctoral education. Dr. Topeka Small Singleton and Dr. Jaques D. Singleton, both faculty members at Arkansas State University, recently published a research article in the Arkansas Association of Teacher Education Journal.
Read more
- June 26, 2025 -
Dr. Chrisann Schiro-Geist Addresses United Nations on Inclusive Higher Education
MEMPHIS, Tenn. –Schiro-Geist was invited to present at a side event during the 18th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP18).
Read more
- February 28, 2025 -
Schiro-Geist Receives Inaugural Service Award
SAVANNAH, Ga. – Dr. Chrisann Schiro-Geist will receive the inaugural Service Award from the Association
for Rehabilitation, Research, Policy and Education (ARRPE). The award recognizes an
individual who has contributed to national issues related to service to persons with
disabilities from a research, policy and/or education position.
- February 24, 2025 -
COE Announces 2025 Rumble Award Winners
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The College of Education has announced this year’s recipients of the H.E. Rumble Outstanding Student Teacher Award, the college’s highest honor for student teachers. The winners are Keleigh Henry and Aubrey Montague, both Memphis natives.
Read more about this year's winners >- February 23, 2025 -
Music Education Alum Reflects on Recent Grammy Win
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – It’s been three weeks of “hooray” for Adrian Maclin, as he says.
The hoorays are congratulations coming at all hours of the day after he received a
Grammy for the 2025 Music Educator Award earlier this month. Maclin was selected out
of 2,400 music teachers across the country.
- February 21, 2025 -
Early Childhood Major Brings Education to Le Bonheur’s Youngest Patients
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Jailene Moreno is breaking new ground for the College of Education (COE) at the University of Memphis as the first student to complete her teacher residency semester at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Downtown Memphis. This unique opportunity is part of the All Kids Academy.
Read more about this unique placement >- February 7, 2025 -
CREP to Evaluate Multi-Million Dollar Grant with Literacy Mid-South
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The College of Education’s Center for Research in Educational Policy
(CREP) has been tasked with evaluating a Literacy Mid-South’s (LMS) Tutor901
program. LMS recently received a $6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education,
allowing them to expand the tutoring program’s capacity by approximately 1,500
students.
- February 7, 2025 -
IDT Graduate Wins National Distance Learning Award
MORRISTOWN, Tenn. – University of Memphis College of Education (COE) graduate, Dr. Erika Stevens has just been awarded the ACTFL
Language Connects 2024 Distance Learning Special Interest Group Teaching Award. The
award recognizes language educators who demonstrate excellence in online teaching.
- February 5, 2025 -
Art Education Partners with Brooks Museum for Community Art Academy
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – For the second year in a row, Art Education students from the University of Memphis
will partner with the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art to host a season-long Community
Art Academy that gives children an outlet to explore the arts.
- February 4, 2025 -
Meet This Year's Teacher Residency Scholarship Recipients
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The College of Education (COE) has announced the recipients of this year’s teacher
residency scholarships. Each year, three scholarships are awarded to current students
in their residency teaching roles: The Beverly Hope Presley Scholarship, the Theodora
Jackson Cummings Education Scholarship and the Turetzky Family Teacher Candidate Scholarship.
Each scholarship is awarded to an “as needed” number of individuals, and
this year the number of students was five.
- January 31, 2025 -
College Faculty and Staff Recognized for Career Milestones
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The College of Education honored 13 faculty and staff Friday for their years of service
at the University of Memphis. These periods of service ranged from five to 40 years.
The University recognized 254 total faculty and staff at the ceremony.
- January 22, 2025 -
COE Faculty Member Publishes Children’s Book on Overcoming Poverty and Bullying
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Dr. Rosie Phillips Davis–a former president of the American Psychological Association
and vice president for Student Affairs at the University of Memphis – has added
another title to her long list of accolades, children’s book author. Her new
book “Rosie’s Superpower” tells the story of a young girl growing
up in poverty and how she used her imagination to overcome her situation and the bullying
that went with it.
- January 16, 2025 -
CREP Recognized by Smithsonian for K-5 Science Curriculum Project
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The College of Education’s Center for Research in Educational Policy (CREP)
was recently recognized for their work with the Smithsonian Science Education Center
(SSEC) that resulted in improved test scores within elementary school classrooms in
North and South Carolina. For the last five years, CREP worked as the evaluator of
the Smithsonian Science for the Classroom™ program.
- January 14, 2025 -
OTECP Announces Mentor Teacher of the Month - December 2024
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The College of Education (COE) at the University of Memphis recognizes Mandy Austin
for her mentor teacher contributions to the college’s Office of Teacher Education
and Clinical Practice (OTECP). Nominations for student teacher, mentor teacher, and
clinical supervisor of the month awards were not taken for the month of December,
due to the nature of final exams and the holiday season. And so, Austin stands as
our lone highlight.
- January 9, 2025 -
COE Announces Instructional Design and Technology Minor
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The College of Education at the University of Memphis is adding to its academic offering in its Instructional Design and Technology (IDT) program with an undergraduate minor, available Fall 2025.
Learn more about what career paths can come with an IDT minor >
- Deceember 2, 2025 -
UMID Transition Resource Fair Hosts Hundreds of Students with Disabilities
MEMPHIS, Tenn.- The University of Memphis Institute on Disability (UMID) hosted its Fall 2025 Transition
Resource Fair Thursday, Nov. 20, welcoming nearly 300 high school students with intellectual
and developmental disabilities from across the region. The event continues a long
tradition of connecting students and families to the services, programs and community
resources that help young adults prepare for successful and inclusive futures.
- November 12, 2025 -
EDPR Student Receives Distinguished Research Award
MEMPHIS, Tenn. Zaria J. Reed, a BA to PhD student in Educational Psychology and Research (EDPR), has received the Distinguished Research in Progress Award at the Mid-South Educational Research
Association (MSERA) 2025 Conference in New Orleans.
- October 22, 2025 -
University of Memphis Institute on Disability Returns to Dean’s Office, Names Patrick Krolik Co-Director
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – As the need for inclusive higher education and disability support continues to grow nationwide, the University of Memphis Institute on Disability (UMID) is entering a new phase of growth and collaboration under the College of Education Dean’s Office.
Read more about UMID’s new leadership- October 20, 2025 -
COE Awarded $925K to Strengthen Vocational Rehabilitation Workforce
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis College of Education (COE) has been awarded a five-year,
$925,657 Rehabilitation Long-Term Training Grant by the U.S. Department of Education’s
(ED) Rehabilitation Services Administration. The grant supports COE’s graduate
program in Vocational Rehabilitation, which enhances employment outcomes for individuals
with disabilities by increasing the number of professionals with master’s degrees
in rehabilitation counseling.
- October 16, 2025 -
UMID Awarded $1.86 Million to Expand Inclusive Higher Education
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis Institute on Disability (UMID) has been awarded a five-year, $1.86 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to expand inclusive postsecondary education opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities.
Read more about...- October 2 -
Carnival Memphis Names UMID and TigerLIFE a 2025 Children’s Charity Partner
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis Institute on Disability (UMID) and
its TigerLIFE program have been selected as one of the 2025 Children’s Charity
Initiative beneficiaries by Carnival Memphis, a philanthropic organization that has
celebrated and supported the Mid-South community since 1931.
- September 29 -
Student / Mentor / Supervisor of the Month: September 2025
MEMPHIS, Tenn - The College of Education (COE) Office of Teacher Education and Clinical Practice (OTECP) is proud to announce the recipients of Student Teacher, Mentor Teacher and Supervisor of the Month for September 2025: Jalice Sargent, John Rawson and Jennifer Bubrig.
Read more about this month's winners
- September 25 -
UofM College of Education Strengthens Teacher Pipeline Through Partnerships with 14 School Districts
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis College of Education (COE) has finalized agreements
with 14 school districts across West Tennessee, expanding opportunities for teacher candidates to complete internships and residencies
in K–12 classrooms.
- September 8 -
Dr. Ayers at the Forefront of STEMM Education and Outreach at St. Jude
Dr. Kate Ayers believes every student should have the opportunity to see themselves
as a scientist. An alumna of the University of Memphis College of Education’s
Educational Psychology and Research (EDPR) program, she is bringing that vision to
life through her leadership of the STEMM Education and Outreach Program at St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital.
- August, 4 -
HAPPEL-PARKINS NAMED DEPARTMENT CHAIR
MEMPHIS, Tenn. –The College of Education (COE) at the University of Memphis has announced the appointment of Dr. Alison Happel-Parkins as chair of the Department of Leadership (LEAD).
Read more- June 30, 2025 -
Alumni Leadership Publish on Online EdD Comprehensive Exams
MEMPHIS, Tenn. –Two proud alumni of the University of Memphis College of Education are helping shape the future of doctoral education. Dr. Topeka Small Singleton and Dr. Jaques D. Singleton, both faculty members at Arkansas State University, recently published a research article in the Arkansas Association of Teacher Education Journal.
Read more
- June 26, 2025 -
Dr. Chrisann Schiro-Geist Addresses United Nations on Inclusive Higher Education
MEMPHIS, Tenn. –Schiro-Geist was invited to present at a side event during the 18th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP18).
Read more
- February 28, 2025 -
Schiro-Geist Receives Inaugural Service Award
SAVANNAH, Ga. – Dr. Chrisann Schiro-Geist will receive the inaugural Service Award from the Association
for Rehabilitation, Research, Policy and Education (ARRPE). The award recognizes an
individual who has contributed to national issues related to service to persons with
disabilities from a research, policy and/or education position.
- February 24, 2025 -
COE Announces 2025 Rumble Award Winners
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The College of Education has announced this year’s recipients of the H.E. Rumble Outstanding Student Teacher Award, the college’s highest honor for student teachers. The winners are Keleigh Henry and Aubrey Montague, both Memphis natives.
Read more about this year's winners >- February 23, 2025 -
Music Education Alum Reflects on Recent Grammy Win
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – It’s been three weeks of “hooray” for Adrian Maclin, as he says.
The hoorays are congratulations coming at all hours of the day after he received a
Grammy for the 2025 Music Educator Award earlier this month. Maclin was selected out
of 2,400 music teachers across the country.
- February 21, 2025 -
Early Childhood Major Brings Education to Le Bonheur’s Youngest Patients
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Jailene Moreno is breaking new ground for the College of Education (COE) at the University of Memphis as the first student to complete her teacher residency semester at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Downtown Memphis. This unique opportunity is part of the All Kids Academy.
Read more about this unique placement >- February 7, 2025 -
CREP to Evaluate Multi-Million Dollar Grant with Literacy Mid-South
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The College of Education’s Center for Research in Educational Policy
(CREP) has been tasked with evaluating a Literacy Mid-South’s (LMS) Tutor901
program. LMS recently received a $6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education,
allowing them to expand the tutoring program’s capacity by approximately 1,500
students.
- February 7, 2025 -
IDT Graduate Wins National Distance Learning Award
MORRISTOWN, Tenn. – University of Memphis College of Education (COE) graduate, Dr. Erika Stevens has just been awarded the ACTFL
Language Connects 2024 Distance Learning Special Interest Group Teaching Award. The
award recognizes language educators who demonstrate excellence in online teaching.
- February 5, 2025 -
Art Education Partners with Brooks Museum for Community Art Academy
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – For the second year in a row, Art Education students from the University of Memphis
will partner with the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art to host a season-long Community
Art Academy that gives children an outlet to explore the arts.
- February 4, 2025 -
Meet This Year's Teacher Residency Scholarship Recipients
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The College of Education (COE) has announced the recipients of this year’s teacher
residency scholarships. Each year, three scholarships are awarded to current students
in their residency teaching roles: The Beverly Hope Presley Scholarship, the Theodora
Jackson Cummings Education Scholarship and the Turetzky Family Teacher Candidate Scholarship.
Each scholarship is awarded to an “as needed” number of individuals, and
this year the number of students was five.
- January 31, 2025 -
College Faculty and Staff Recognized for Career Milestones
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The College of Education honored 13 faculty and staff Friday for their years of service
at the University of Memphis. These periods of service ranged from five to 40 years.
The University recognized 254 total faculty and staff at the ceremony.
- January 22, 2025 -
COE Faculty Member Publishes Children’s Book on Overcoming Poverty and Bullying
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Dr. Rosie Phillips Davis–a former president of the American Psychological Association
and vice president for Student Affairs at the University of Memphis – has added
another title to her long list of accolades, children’s book author. Her new
book “Rosie’s Superpower” tells the story of a young girl growing
up in poverty and how she used her imagination to overcome her situation and the bullying
that went with it.
- January 16, 2025 -
CREP Recognized by Smithsonian for K-5 Science Curriculum Project
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The College of Education’s Center for Research in Educational Policy (CREP)
was recently recognized for their work with the Smithsonian Science Education Center
(SSEC) that resulted in improved test scores within elementary school classrooms in
North and South Carolina. For the last five years, CREP worked as the evaluator of
the Smithsonian Science for the Classroom™ program.
- January 14, 2025 -
OTECP Announces Mentor Teacher of the Month - December 2024
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The College of Education (COE) at the University of Memphis recognizes Mandy Austin
for her mentor teacher contributions to the college’s Office of Teacher Education
and Clinical Practice (OTECP). Nominations for student teacher, mentor teacher, and
clinical supervisor of the month awards were not taken for the month of December,
due to the nature of final exams and the holiday season. And so, Austin stands as
our lone highlight.
- January 9, 2025 -
COE Announces Instructional Design and Technology Minor
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The College of Education at the University of Memphis is adding to its academic offering in its Instructional Design and Technology (IDT) program with an undergraduate minor, available Fall 2025.
Learn more about what career paths can come with an IDT minor >