College of Education and Human Development

Connect Magazine

News

Celebrating ASL and Deaf culture with Visual Vernacular

The University of Minnesota’s ASL Program and CEHD’s Deaf Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Task Force hosted an entertaining evening event featuring Justin Perez, a performance artist and educator known for his use of Visual Vernacular.

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Justin Perez, smiling male with dark curly hair, wearing a black tshirt, standing with arms crossed

SoK alum Niko Medved named head men’s basketball coach

School of Kinesiology (SoK) alum Niko Medved (BS ’97, MEd ’99) has been named head men’s basketball coach at the University of Minnesota, making him the 19th head coach in the program’s history.

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Basketball coach in Maroon and Gold University of Minnesota shirt

Exploring the impact of sport

CEHD faculty are pioneering groundbreaking research on how sport can improve athlete well-being, promote gender equality in media, empower underserved athletes, and create positive global impact.

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CEHD Connect SpSu2025, Illustration of human body surrounded by various colors with light illuminating from center

Talking with Tasha Bell

Tasha Bell (PhD '20) currently serves as the assistant women’s soccer coach at Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo.

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CEHD Connect SpSu2025, Woman wearing blue long sleeve and black bottoms kicking soccer ball

Connect Magazine Connect Magazine

CEHD Connect Magazine is published in print three times a year and online by the University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development for alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the college.

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CEHD Connect W2025, alumni magazine

This is why I give: Linda Wells

Linda Wells (MA ‘84) is an inspiring example of the importance Title IX, with an incredible career as a player, coach, and mentor.

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CEHD Connect SpSu2025 Giving Profile

A passion for education

As the chief operating officer at Twin Cities PBS (TPT), Amina Jaafar (BS ’05, PhD ’17) has a large portfolio. She provides oversight into such areas as strategic planning, human resources, events, marketing, and lifelong learning.

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Empowering mentors to empower youth

Family social science PhD student Yunqi (Kay) He bridges research and reality through youth mentoring research.

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CEHD Connect SpSu2025, Woman sitting with computer posing for photo in library