College of Education and Human Development

Connect Magazine

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A doctoral journey of community and support

In the world of academia, the path to becoming a scientist is often portrayed as a linear progression, characterized by deliberate steps and premeditated decisions. However, my journey through academia has been anything but conventional...

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J. Sertic

Alumni profile: Public service is her calling

Growing up in Worthington, Minnesota, Cheniqua Johnson (’17 BS) wasn’t particularly into politics. Her family would discuss issues when it went to cast ballots for presidential elections, but that was about it.

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johnson in city council chambers

Striving toward educational equity

“The goal for us was to really marry practice and research,” says CEHD’s Executive Director of Educational Leadership Katie Pekel. “By that I mean putting practitioners and researchers in the same place and on a level footing.

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LEAD conference audience

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 SpSu2025 magazine cover, including 6 U of M athletes performing in sports on a smoky blue background with stadium lights.

Ahead of the pack

As an undergraduate pursuing a business and marketing education (BME) degree, Bryce Kelley knew that he set himself apart.

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The U of M sales team

A vision for all students (and teachers)

In March 2019, Michael Rodriguez, associate dean for undergraduate education, diversity, and international initiatives, received an urgent call from R. T. Rybak. The former Minneapolis mayor, now president and CEO of the Minneapolis Foundation...

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Student walking down a hall

Giving matters: empowering sport for all

Anna Goorevich has a passion for gender equity in sport that is rooted in her own experiences as an athlete. “I played soccer growing up and throughout college, and I have first-hand experiences of the gendered barriers that many athletes face in..

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Anna Goorevich

Policy breakfast: accountability system for MN schools

In October, CEHD hosted more than 120 educational leaders and policy makers for a Policy Breakfast at the Historic Chateau Theatre in Rochester, Minnesota. University of Minnesota Chancellor Lori J.

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Panel members at the Policy Breakfast include (left to right) Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Commissioner Willie Jett, CEHD Dean Michael C. Rodriguez, CEHD’s Executive Director of Educational Leadership Katie Pekel, and Superintendent of Rochester Public Schools Kent Pekel

Toward a more equitable school system

When she was younger, Annie Christenson (MA ’19, EdS ’20) rarely spoke up during classroom discussions. “During conferences, my teachers would tell my mother, ‘We really wish she’d share her thoughts more often,’” she says.

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Annie Christenson

From a small rural village in South Korea to the U of M and beyond

As an international doctoral student, I am always enjoying interacting with and learning valuable lessons from my academic mentors, colleagues, friends, neighbors, and prospective teachers from different places around the world. How wonderful it is..

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Dugyum Kim