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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  Professors’ Program Trains Diverse Nutrition Educators

  Norma Olvera and collaborators received a $500,000 grant to create a paid internship program to increase the number of Hispanic and Black nutrition educators and address health disparities among children of color. “It’s an excellent opportunity,” Olvera said.

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  Fall 2021 Graduates Recognized with Top Honors

  Among the approximately 360 graduates are three first-generation college students and future teachers who maintained 4.0 GPAs. “I am immensely proud of the accomplishments of the class of 2021,” said College of Education Dean Bob McPherson.

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  Study: Anti-Gay Slurs Not Targeted Just at Gay Men

  Associate Professor Nathan Grant Smith explored whether heterosexual men who had their status threatened were more likely to use anti-gay slurs against other heterosexual men. “It is our hope that our research can help men to develop healthy masculinities that lift up all men, gay and straight alike,” Smith said.

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  Professor Finds STEM Stereotypes Begin Young

  Assistant Professor Allison Master’s study found that children develop beliefs as young as six that boys are more interested than girls in STEM fields. “By the time they reach high school, many girls have made their decision not to pursue degrees in computer science and engineering because they feel they don’t belong,” Master said.

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  Researchers Present at National Higher Education Conference

  Faculty, students and postdoctoral fellows from the College will share their research at the 2021 Association for the Study of Higher Education conference. “I’m excited to present our research in front of others and catch up with colleagues from across the country,” said postdoctoral fellow Susana Hernández.

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  Professors’ STEM Research Earns $500,000 Grant

  Allison Master and Weihua Fan have developed a series of studies to boost girls’ interest and participation in computer science by counteracting stereotypes. “We are interested in gender disparities in STEM because these have such important implications for our society,” Master said.

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  COVID-19 Stress Hinders Parents’ Ability to Feed Children

  Associate Professor Leslie Frankel’s research found that psychological distress and anxiety induced by the pandemic has made it difficult for parents to gauge when their child is hungry or full, which can harm them in the long run.

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  Assistant Professor Trains Next Generation of School Leaders

  Keith Butcher’s commitment to education and his students earned him a 2021 Teaching Excellence Award from the College. While he handles administrative work as a program director, mentoring and inspiring students will always be his priority.

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  Academic Advisor Prepares Health Undergrads for Success

  In addition to helping students select courses and stay on track to graduate, Meggan Gittens offers encouragement and advice. “You’re on the right path,” she tells them. “You just gotta work hard to get where you want to be.”

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  Partnership Gives Student Teachers Paid Experience

  The College and Spring Branch ISD are collaborating to give student teachers the opportunity to participate in a paid yearlong residency program with guidance from experienced educators. Participant Azucena Huerta said, “What excites me the most about being in the program is being able to have a better idea of what it is like to be a teacher.”

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  Research Helps Students Use Math in Real World

  Assistant Professor Melissa A. Gallagher’s latest article offers teachers four key literacy strategies to help students solve math word problems. “The key takeaway for teachers is to leverage what students already know and can do to help students make connections to make sense of problems.”

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  Assistant Professor Promotes Equity in the Classroom

  Ruth M. López, a professor of school leadership, provides her students the resources and space to reflect and discuss how they can improve education for all. Her commitment to equity earned her a UH Teaching Excellence Award for 2020-21.

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  Director Leads Advisors and Students to Success

  Jeylan Yassin became an advisor to make a difference in the lives of students. For helping countless students graduate as the director of undergraduate programs, she earned the College’s Staff Distinguished Service Award for 2020-21.

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  Five New Professors Join the College of Education Team

  This fall, the College is welcoming new faculty who bring diverse research expertise. “They join a faculty committed to advancing equity through innovative research, instruction and partnerships,” said Dean Bob McPherson.

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  Assistant Professor Inspires Students to be ‘Math People’

  Clinical Assistant Professor Justin Burris prepares teacher candidates to become elementary and middle school teachers who empower children to enjoy math. His passion for education earned him a 2021 UH Teaching Excellence Award.

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  Counseling Psychology Alum Earns Noteworthy Certification

  Alum Laura Priorello earned board certification from the American Board of Professional Psychology in clinical health psychology. “This is a huge accomplishment that took approximately three years to complete,” she said.

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  Award-Winning Staffer Supports Health Equity Research

  Research associate Isabel Martinez Leal won a 2020-21 Staff Excellence Award from the College for her efficiency, strong collaborative skills and commitment to health equity. “The most rewarding aspect of this work is to contribute to people improving their health,” she said.

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  Professor Works to Eradicate Smoking

  Lorraine Reitzel, director of Taking Texas Tobacco Free, received a $1.9 million grant from the Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas to expand the program to reach people struggling with addictions in rural communities.

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  M.Ed. Alumna Earns Prestigious Fulbright Grant

  Parker Carwile, who earned a master’s in curriculum and instruction in 2019, will teach English and act as a cultural ambassador in South Korea. “I feel like if we can understand each other more, we can help build each other up,” she said.

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  UH, HISD Partner to Grow Principal Pipeline

  Funded by a state grant, Future Forward Leadership allows aspiring principals to gain real world experience as administrative interns, learning how to manage finances, improve instruction and more.

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  Research Looks to Improve Work for Marginalized Groups

  Associate Professor Blake A. Allan’s recent article discusses the causes and psychological effects of precarious work to advance research on the issue and help develop safety nets for people with risky jobs.

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  Despite Challenges 2021 Grads Made their Mark

  Read about four undergraduate students who maintained 4.0 GPAs while showing strength and flexibility during the global pandemic. “The time at UH prepared me with significant experience for the job market,” said health major Dalia Hatem De Khattar.

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  Development Coordinator Helps Alumni Feel at Home

  Geralyn Stevens supports fundraising and engages students and alumni — helping fellow Coogs feel as connected to UH as she does. Her current projects involve the launch of CoogsConnect, a platform designed to link graduates to each other, job opportunities and more.

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  EMS Educator Earns Distinguished Alumni Award

  With over four decades in emergency medical services, George Hatch works to elevate the standard of education for paramedic students. Hatch was one of the first EMS educators in Texas to earn a doctorate in 2001 and today leads a national accrediting agency.

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  Health Care CEO Wins Friend of Education Award

  David Evans of Integral Care in Austin was honored by the College for collaborating with Health Professor Lorraine Reitzel to reduce cancer among vulnerable populations. They partner on the Taking Texas Tobacco Free program to help people quit smoking.

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  Academic Advisor Guides Students Toward Success

  Raymond “Marshall” Miller prepares students pursuing a B.S. or minor in health for the next stage in their education and career. “I like being able to foster their growth,” he said. “Seeing students I met apply to graduate — seeing them reach their end goal — has been really fulfilling.”

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  M.Ed. Training Helped Surgical Educator Amid COVID

  Dr. Karen Dickinson teamed up with Clinical Associate Professor Susie Gronseth to publish an article in the Journal of Surgical Education about deploying virtual instructional strategies. “I cannot say enough good things about UH,” Dickinson said.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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