College of Education

DEPARTMENTS

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  Curriculum & Instruction

  Our award-winning teacher-preparation program gives students invaluable classroom experience with support from experienced mentors. At the graduate level, our degrees deepen students’ research skills and content knowledge for career advancement. Together, we're making an impact in schools across the region.

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  Educational Leadership & Policy Studies

  Our graduate programs prepare aspiring principals, superintendents, special education professionals, higher education administrators and other scholars committed to transformative leadership. We also offer undergraduate minors in special populations and Asian-American studies.

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  Psychological, Health, & Learning Sciences

  With a focus on improving wellness and quality of life, we offer undergraduate degrees in health and human development and family studies. We also offer graduate degrees in counseling, counseling psychology, school psychology, and measurement, quantitative methods and learning sciences.

NEWS & FEATURES

• More stories
• News briefs
• Media mentions

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  Director Delves Into Data to Improve Education

  Qiong “June” Zhou, director of assessment and accreditation services, works to keep the College’s programs accountable. “Educational research is very meaningful, especially to help the students’ learning and teachers’ teaching,” Zhou said.

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  Class of 2020 Graduates Display ‘Unparalleled Resilience’

  This year’s graduates faced unprecedented challenges. “Nothing worth having is easy,” said Paula Hernandez, who graduates with her teaching degree and a 4.0 GPA. Hernandez and three other top graduates share their stories.

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  Professor Works to Boost Latina Representation in STEM Fields

  Assistant Professor Elsa Gonzalez has received a $1.3 million grant from the National Science Foundation to identify factors that promote and hinder the success of Latina STEM majors at Hispanic-serving institutions, including UH.

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  UH Researcher Aims to Improve Lives of Young Gay Men

  Associate Professor Nathan Smith is recruiting participants for Project PRIDE, a federally funded program he developed to help lower stress among gay, bisexual and queer men by providing coping strategies.

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  Survey Addresses COVID-19 Impact on Asian Americans at UH

  The Asian American Studies Center is sponsoring the study to learn if Asian American students, faculty and staff at UH have experienced microaggressions since the pandemic outbreak and determine how it can help support them.

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  Families CAN Director Serves Special Needs Community

  As a mother of a daughter with a disability, Shelley Townsend provides unique support to families seeking connection and resources for children and adults with disabilities.

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  Research Debriefed: Fighting for Equity in Higher Education

  In a recent journal article, Associate Professor Vincent D. Carales delves into the landmark lawsuit that improved higher education opportunities for Mexican Americans in Texas.

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  Director of Student Affairs Earns 2020 Staff Excellence Award

  Bridgette Jones was honored for supporting students and faculty. With her hardworking team, wealth of knowledge and friendly attitude, she keeps the graduate studies office running smoothly.

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  First-Year Teachers Adapt to Socially Distant Classes

  Three spring 2020 graduates share the challenges they’ve faced this semester and how their time at UH helped prepare them. Learn how they have overcome obstacles to inspire a new generation.

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  Instructional Designer Supports Faculty Amid Virtual Pivot

  Velvette Laurence, who has worked for the College for 16 years, provides tech tips and support to help faculty engage students, particularly with the shift to remote learning. Learn more about how she has helped the College.

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  Professor Earns Grant to Study Parenting, Children’s Emotions

  Professor Julie Dunsmore has received a federal grant for nearly $897,400 to research a parenting strategy known as “emotion coaching,” which involves empathy before discipline. The project could help shape parent education.

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  Beloved Professor, Donor Retires After Five Decades

  Literacy champion and scholarship donor Mignonette “Lee” Mountain reflects on a brilliant career at the University of Houston. “I was lucky enough to land at UH. It’s been a happily ever after.”

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  Doctoral Student Earns Special Education Accolade

  Kellian Hughes received the 2020 Teacher of the Year award from the Council for Learning Disabilities. He is pursuing an Ed.D. at the College and working to help students struggling academically.

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  Associate Dean Leads New National Research Center

  Ezemenari Obasi, associate dean for research and professor of counseling psychology, has received an $11.8 million federal grant to establish the HEALTH Center for Addictions Research and Cancer Prevention.

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  First Lecture Goes Virtual with a Trio of Powerful Speakers

  In case you missed it or just want to relive the memories, watch the recording of Dean McPherson’s signature event featuring award-winning chef Christine Ha, singer and activist Kam Franklin and comedian Bill Santiago.

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  UH College of Education Welcomes New Faculty

  “Our new faculty bring a strong commitment to ending educational inequities in particular,” said Dean Bob McPherson. “While they are joining the College at an unprecedented time, their research is more important than ever.”

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  Human Development and Family Studies Podcast

  When COVID-19 forced people to quarantine, professor Erica Jordan used the time to create a podcast she’d envisioned for years. For The HDFS Careers Podcast, she interviews professionals in the field about their career path and personal journeys.

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  UH and Angleton ISD Launch Principal Residency Program

  Led by Clinical Assistant Professor Keith Butcher, the new program is designed to embed interns in school leadership positions, giving them significant real world experience before graduation. Ten candidates have been selected for the 2020 – 21 academic year.
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  Research Supports Formerly Imprisoned Youths

  Assistant Professor Virginia Snodgrass Rangel’s study on incarcerated students’ return to school is the latest in the College’s Research Debriefed series. She hopes the research leads to effective practices and interventions.

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  Researcher Advances Study of Criminology

  Using her background in psychology, Associate Professor Margit Wiesner co-authored a book to help reform juvenile offenders. The publication recommends early intervention and treatment to curb criminal behavior among children.

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  Doctoral Student Reimagines Higher Education

  Brandon Mack, who is pursuing a Ph.D. in higher education leadership and policy studies, pushes for equity as a university administrator and Black Lives Matter activist.

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  Alum, College Admissions Expert Adapts to COVID-19 Challenges

  John Smith, director of graduate professional programs at the UH College of Technology, embodies the motto of “Ingenuity Applied” by finding creative solutions for students and academic advisors.

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  As New Superintendent, Alumnus Gives ‘Every Student a Chance’

  Darryl Henson is working to reinvigorate the rural district of Marlin ISD, which is at risk of closure for low test scores and failing to meet state standards, by empowering students, enhancing extracurricular activities and more.

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  UH Teaching Graduates Return to HISD to Make a Difference

  Graduates from the first cohort of the Teach Forward Houston program are ready to give back to their community. The program is a partnership between UH and HISD designed to build a pipeline of highly skilled teachers in Houston.

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  Teaching Professor Wins 2020 Teaching Excellence Award

  Carrie Cutler, a champion of approachable math education, brings a practical, parent-to-parent approach to her lessons. This spring, she was recognized by the Office of the Provost for her inspiring teaching and dedication to students.

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  UH Health Researcher Works to Reduce Tobacco Use During Crisis

  Lorraine Reitzel received a $300,000 grant from the Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas to support her team’s Taking Texas Tobacco Free program. In April, they pivoted to target COVID-19 isolation centers.

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  Online Teaching Materials Replace Textbooks in More UH Classes

  Many professors adopted alternative learning materials even before COVID-19 shifted UH to remote instruction — a massive transition that has highlighted the need for easily accessible, high quality virtual resources.

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  UH Alumni Recognized as Teachers of the Year Continue Rising to the Challenge

  Kelly Stavinoha, Armando Morales, Tori Bello, Mackenzie Smith, Joanna Flores and Yessica Castillo were recognized for their strong teaching skills this year. With COVID-19 shutting down schools and moving instruction online this spring, they continued to go above and beyond to help their students.

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  MOOC Researcher Sees Potential in Virtual Learning Boom

  Understanding best practices in remote instruction is more valuable than ever as schools had to move quickly to online learning. “We have entered an era where the question is no longer ‘if online’ but ‘online and how,’” said Professor Mimi Lee.

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  Health Professor’s Epidemiology Class Studies Impact of COVID-19 in Real Time

  Class discussions in professor Kelli Drenner’s epidemiology course evolved drastically over the past several weeks. Students have gone from trying to understand the effects the coronavirus was having in China to witnessing the impact of a pandemic firsthand.

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  Research Team Creates New Guide To Help Children with Autism

  Families can find advice and resources for continuing therapy, addressing behavior challenges, mental health support in more in a guide compiled by Associate Professor Sarah Mire and her research team.

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  When Classes Went Online, Professors, Students Proved Resilient

  In less than two weeks, professors transitioned hundreds of courses to virtual versions in response to COVID-19. They and their students learned new technologies, set up home offices and found ways to connect amid a public health crisis.
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  Real Life Superheroes: Alumni Serve in Hospitals, Virtual Schools

  Read the inspiring stories of doctors battling COVID-19 and teachers delivering instruction and support from home. “Words cannot express the gratitude we feel for our graduates who selflessly work to improve lives every day,” said Dean Bob McPherson.
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  Virtual Job Fair Connects Aspiring Teachers, Schools

  The College has launched a virtual job fair after having to cancel its popular in person event due to COVID-19. Teaching students and district officials said they appreciate the opportunity to connect online during this atypical hiring season.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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