Issues of Connect Magazine
WINTER 2025
A century of advancing developmental science
A letter from the Dean: Winter 2025 A letter from the Dean: Winter 2025
Most of the time when we think of a milestone, we view it as the completion of a task or reaching a desired point. And as we celebrate that achievement, we often overlook that a milestone is not the destination.
Advancing language and literacy Advancing language and literacy
On May 24, 2023, Governor Tim Walz signed the Minnesota Reading to Ensure Academic Development (READ) Act into law. Its ambitious goal is to have every child reading at or above grade level every year.
CISC: A conversation with the president CISC: A conversation with the president
The CEHD International Student Community (CISC) was founded in 2022 by Satomi Mitani, a PhD student from Japan in the comparative and international development education (CIDE) program...
Combining sports and business into a career Combining sports and business into a career
Growing up, Amanda Rodriguez (BS ’14) loved playing sports. She later became involved in her high school’s DECA program and wanted to pursue a business career.
Culturally responsive financial literacy Culturally responsive financial literacy
Many people take for granted how easily they navigate money and financial systems. However, for countless individuals, particularly immigrants and refugees, financial struggles stem not from a lack of personal responsibility...
For the love of learning For the love of learning
Sofia Vivas shares how her quest for knowledge led her to the learning technologies program.
Helping people reach their potential Helping people reach their potential
Sophomore Tammy Liu says human resource development (HRD) intrigues her because it essentially focuses on empowering people to reach their potential. “I have always loved the idea of being able to make a meaningful impact by helping...
ICD: A century of advancing developmental science ICD: A century of advancing developmental science
In 2025, the Institute of Child Development (ICD) celebrates its Centennial—a century of leading the field of developmental science and advancing discoveries that have improved children’s wellbeing across the world.
International faculty, diverse perspectives International faculty, diverse perspectives
International faculty have expanded our understanding of the world. They bring expertise, diverse teaching methods, and global mindsets to our intellectual communities.
International student perspectives International student perspectives
International CEHD students past and present share their thoughts and reminiscences.
Saluting our international community Saluting our international community
The University of Minnesota is celebrating the 150th anniversary of international students on campus. This is an opportunity to reflect on the transformative impact of global engagement on education, research, and service...
This is why I give: Ann Masten This is why I give: Ann Masten
We’re all familiar with stories focused on overcoming adversity. Movies, books, and even LinkedIn posts frequently narrate how an individual beat the odds to win the big game, leave a troubled relationship, or start a business.
This is why we give: The Mooty family This is why we give: The Mooty family
David Mooty’s family history inspires his commitment to helping Minnesotans outside the metro area have equal access to opportunities. David’s father John was born in Adrian...
FALL 2024
Black educators matter
A letter from the Dean: Fall 2024 A letter from the Dean: Fall 2024
Excitement is in the air across campus and within CEHD. The new academic year has begun and there is great anticipation for the possibilities...
Black educators matter Black educators matter
Black Men Teach and the University of Minnesota's College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) aim to make Minnesota schools more reflective of their students.
Black Men Teach: A conversation with Devon Minke Black Men Teach: A conversation with Devon Minke
Devon Minke teaches third grade at North Park School for Innovation in Columbia Heights. Prior to joining Black Men Teach, he was a college student at Minnesota State University Mankato pursuing a degree in elementary education...
Capturing the complexity of early learning Capturing the complexity of early learning
Center for Early Education and Development leads effort to update Minnesota’s learning guidelines for young children Every state has its own early learning guidelines for preschoolers and most have early learning guidelines for infants and…
Culturally responsive practices in the early childhood classroom Culturally responsive practices in the early childhood classroom
I grew up in Nigeria, a country with more than 500 languages and 300 ethnic groups. Coming from a family of six, I experienced both of my parents’ cultures and languages, which reflected the rich diversity of the country in terms of food...
Equitable development for all children Equitable development for all children
Norwood Glaspie has always been curious about how children acquire and process information, how they learn from their social environments, and how social and cognitive factors interact in shaping their development.
From Minnesota to Brazil From Minnesota to Brazil
Historically, study abroad has not been designed with low income, first-generation, and Indigenous students as its audience...
Innovating mental health support in schools Innovating mental health support in schools
Amid the rising tide of mental health challenges in K-12 schools, schools across the nation are grappling with how to provide effective support...
It takes a community It takes a community
For most of my life, I have felt like an outsider looking in. I have battled with anxiety and depression, come from a family of divorced parents, and was bullied throughout school.
The importance of being diverse The importance of being diverse
Since she was young, Karina Elze (MEd ’16) always wanted to have her own business. “I love creating, taking risks, and I get bored if I stay in the same position too long," she says...
This is why I give This is why I give
According to the U.S. Department of Education, all 50 states reported a teacher shortage in more than one area for the 2022-23 school year...
This is why we give This is why we give
Every child deserves an excellent education, yet Minnesota’s graduation gap between Black and White students ranks among the worst in the United States. David Perrin (MSW ‘76) and Margaret Hustad-Perrin (MD ‘76)...
Welcome our new fall faculty Welcome our new fall faculty
Introducing 15 new faces you’ll see at CEHD
SPRING / SUMMER 2024
Striving toward educational equity
A conversation with Darrius Stanley A conversation with Darrius Stanley
Darrius Stanley is an assistant professor in the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development and the Carmen Starkson Campbell Endowed Fellow for Innovation in Teacher Development.
A doctoral journey of community and support 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...
A journey to Thailand A journey to Thailand
For decades, CEHD has maintained strong partnerships with schools, organizations, and individuals in Thailand. From undergraduate study abroad programs to graduate internships, CEHD has established a robust network of relationships focused on..
Alumni profile: Public service is her calling 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.
Collaborating with the Department of Education Collaborating with the Department of Education
For the last two years, Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Assistant Commissioner Angela Mansfield has helped advise the LEAD conference content with CEHD.
Giving matters: For the love of the game Giving matters: For the love of the game
As a boy in Shanghai, China, Kevin Gu had an early obsession. “I love sports,” he says. His love is pure.
LEAD and literacy LEAD and literacy
On May 24, 2023, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed the Reading to Ensure Academic Development (READ) Act into law, with the goal to have every Minnesota student reading at or above grade level.
Making computer science inclusive Making computer science inclusive
It may come as a surprise to many people that for the percentage of its high schools offering computer science (CS) courses, Minnesota ranks dead last in the country. The national average sits at 58 percent and Minnesota’s neighbors Iowa...
Providing care from afar Providing care from afar
One of the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic was the adoption of telecommunications in numerous areas of society. Communication via screen has been available for some time, of course, but the pandemic brought on its use with greater urgency...
Reflecting on Cambodia Reflecting on Cambodia
In January 2024, nine CEHD faculty traveled to Southeast Asia to learn and engage with partners in the Kingdom of Cambodia. International Faculty Delegations are part of recent efforts by the Office of International Initiatives to promote cultural...
Spring / Summer 2024: From the Dean Spring / Summer 2024: From the Dean
THIS IS THE SEASON when we honor the achievements of our graduates. Their families, friends, and our faculty and staff gathered in May to acknowledge over 800 undergraduate and graduate degree recipients.
Striving toward educational equity 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.
Working for the Northside Working for the Northside
The Northside Job Creation Team (NJCT) has a clear-cut goal: to help bring sustainable jobs to North Minneapolis that pay a living wage and offer decent benefits. So far, it has succeeded in its task, and it wants to make sure that success...
WINTER 2024
Ambiguous Loss: When closure doesn’t exist
50 years of ‘giving away’ early childhood expertise 50 years of ‘giving away’ early childhood expertise
Head start was launched in the summer of 1965. Sesame Street premiered in 1969. Early Childhood Family Education was first proposed in Minnesota in 1973. In the 1960s and 1970s, interest in early childhood was growing nationwide. At the University...
Addressing trauma in southeast asia Addressing trauma in southeast asia
The Southeast Asian country of Malaysia has emerged as the largest recipient of refugees and asylum-seekers in the region, hosting a substantial population of displaced individuals. Recent reports place the number of registered refugees at 180,440. .
Ambiguous loss: when closure doesn’t exist Ambiguous loss: when closure doesn’t exist
Sometimes people call Dr. Pauline Boss a grief expert. She always corrects them. “I’m not a grief expert,” she says. “I’m a loss expert.
Centering relationships and learning Centering relationships and learning
A group of European school administrators visited CEHD for a week last fall as part of an educational exchange program that has been regularly taking place around the world since 2016. The International School Leaders Association (ISLA)...
From a small rural village in South Korea to the U of M and beyond 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..
Giving matters: empowering sport for all 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..
Intersections: exposing and closing disability research gaps Intersections: exposing and closing disability research gaps
While still a teenager, Anjali Forber-Pratt filed a lawsuit against her school district, alleging it failed to provide accessibility features. Among other alleged shortcomings, she was prevented from registering for an applied technology course...
Policy breakfast: accountability system for MN schools 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.
Toward a more equitable school system 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.
Winter 2024: From the Dean Winter 2024: From the Dean
This past fall, we were visited by White House staff, MN state legislators, and European school leaders, among many others. And as in the past, CEHD faculty, staff, and students continue to expand boundaries by connecting with communities locally...
FALL 2023
Minnesota’s First Lady of Civil Rights
Advancing black intellectualism Advancing black intellectualism
Among Dr. Josie R. Johnson’s greatest achievements at the University of Minnesota was the founding of the Common Ground Consortium (CGC). Through the guidance of Dr. Johnson, then-dean William Gardner, and Professor Jean King, the CGC was...
Community-engaged prevention and intervention Community-engaged prevention and intervention
I felt my heart race as I read through the English vocabulary describing posttraumatic stress and related symptoms in the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children. I was unsure if my translation would accurately capture my client’s posttraumatic...
Giving matters: environmental education in Ecuador Giving matters: environmental education in Ecuador
In July of 2022, Neela Nandyal, a PhD student in the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development’s Comparative and International Development Education program, visited the South American country of Ecuador. "I was there to..."
Helping girls reach their full athletic potential Helping girls reach their full athletic potential
Last year saw the celebration of a half-century of the impact of Title IX, passed into law on June 23, 1972. Title IX prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or educational setting that receives government funds. The passage of the act led..
Honoring Dr. Josie R. Johnson’s U of M legacy Honoring Dr. Josie R. Johnson’s U of M legacy
Civil rights icon helped steer the course of diversity, equity, and inclusion at the U, and CEHD is committed to expand upon the efforts she began in the college by increasing the number of Common Ground Consortium Scholars.
Minnesota’s first lady of civil rights Minnesota’s first lady of civil rights
By the time she arrived at the University of Minnesota in an official capacity in the late 1960s, Josie R. Johnson already had an extensive and impressive resume. She began early as an active participant in the civil rights movement while still a...
Promoting cultural and academic exchange Promoting cultural and academic exchange
The US Fulbright program has promoted cultural and academic exchange through its various grants for over 75 years. The program provides awards to approximately 8,000 students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals each year from the United..
Welcome, new faculty! Welcome, new faculty!
CEHD is pleased to announce several new faculty members joining the college
‘A powerful experience’ ‘A powerful experience’
A sold-out crowd of more than 400 educational leaders from across the state packed the McNamara Alumni Center in early August for the second annual Leading in Equity, Action, and Diversity (LEAD) for PreK-12 System Improvement conference. Each one...
SPRING / SUMMER 2023
To Prepare and Inspire
A champion for inclusion A champion for inclusion
When I was in kindergarten, my teacher asked me to work with one of my peers with autism, Vince. So, I left class during nap time to work on writing with Vince. He and I played games on dry erase boards and spent quality time together. Ever since...
A system-level change maker A system-level change maker
When it comes to making education more equitable and culturally relevant, Courtney Bell-Duncan is not interested in low-level changes. “I’m definitely a system-level change maker,” she says.
Addressing gaps in Minnesota’s seals of biliteracy program Addressing gaps in Minnesota’s seals of biliteracy program
Minnesota’s state seals of biliteracy program recognizes students who have achieved high levels of proficiency in a language other than English. About 2,000 graduating high school students receive a seal each year, but there are large gaps in what.
Giving matters: fellowship and friendship Giving matters: fellowship and friendship
Chalandra Bryant talks about holding the Pauline Boss Faculty Fellowship at CEHD.
In support of equity and diversity In support of equity and diversity
Recognizing the need to embed diversity and equality throughout its programming, the Department of Curriculum and Instruction (C&I) established a Race, Equity, and Justice Council (REJC) in 2019. The council was formed through the combination of...
Return to travel Return to travel
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, close to 300 CEHD students enrolled in education abroad programs annually. Students participated in a variety of programs, from short-term ones lasting only a few weeks, to those lasting an entire semester...
Speaking tradition Speaking tradition
A group of six preschoolers chatter excitedly as they settle into a circle to begin their morning. The beat of a drum starts a series of songs, and the children join in, taking turns saying their names and sharing how they’re feeling today...
To prepare and inspire To prepare and inspire
When the Minnesota Association of School Administrators selects its annual Superintendent of the Year, it’s a good bet that the honoree has some connection to the PK-12 Administrative Licensure Certificate program in the Department of OLPD...
WINTER 2023
To Prepare and Inspire
Coming home to lead and inspire Coming home to lead and inspire
Joan Blakey left the University of Minnesota and the School of Social Work (SSW) with a BS and MSW in hand. She now returns to SSW as an associate professor and its new director, ready to inspire students, staff, and faculty alike to strive to make..
Cross-continental collaboration Cross-continental collaboration
Zhanat Momynkulov says he had always dreamed about visiting and studying in the United States because of its strong academic and research traditions. From June to November 2022, he got his chance as part of the first CEHD Bolashaq Visiting Scholar...
FSOS grad student leads international initiative in Liberia FSOS grad student leads international initiative in Liberia
Zamzam Dini, a Family Social Science (FSOS) doctoral student specializing in Couple and Family Therapy, flexed her clinical practitioner skills in Liberia last summer by leading workshops for parents and young women on healthy relationships....
Giving matters: breathing room Giving matters: breathing room
Sarah Etheridge’s undergraduate career was anything but smooth. After bouncing from DePaul University to Iowa State, they weren’t feeling confident about their major or future prospects. “My grades reflected this too,” Etheridge says.
Introducing Campbell Hall Introducing Campbell Hall
High amongst the trees, light streams through floor-to-ceiling glass walls, illuminating cozy seating areas where students scout out a spot to study. Students bound up and down the wide, open staircase as they go from classrooms to research labs...
The transformative power of education The transformative power of education
Education can transform a life and the world. That statement drives Jenna Mitchler. She experienced it firsthand as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Malawi several years ago and more recently in Tajikistan through the Fulbright Specialist Program....
Wakpa Tanka and Misi-Ziipi: Today’s …. Mississippi River Wakpa Tanka and Misi-Ziipi: Today’s …. Mississippi River
I grew up knowing that the Mississippi River was both “great” and with falls. From my earliest memories, I remember trying to spell M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I orally the fastest. Yet, I never knew the Dakota language for this precious, life-giving...
FALL 2022
New faces on campus
A relationship of mutuality A relationship of mutuality
Poland shares a 332-mile (535 km) border with Ukraine. Since the Russian invasion began in February 2022, more than 3.5 million people have come across that border to flee their war-ravaged homeland.
Building community, raising voices Building community, raising voices
This August marked the return of the Leading in Equity, Action, and Diversity (LEAD) conference, a CEHD-sponsored event designed to give education leaders the tools and ideas necessary to disrupt pervasive racial inequities in PreK-12 schools...
CEHD’s Cambodian connections CEHD’s Cambodian connections
In January 2018, Department of Curriculum and Instruction Associate Professor Vichet Chhuon, International Initiatives and Relations Director Marina Aleixo, and Department of Family Social Science Professor Catherine Solheim traveled to Cambodia...
Climate curriculum Climate curriculum
Climate Change may well be the defining issue of our time. From more extreme weather events to an increase in vector-borne diseases, decreasing food security, and ecological collapse, climate change touches everyone’s life.
Giving matters: chair appointment leads to student success stories Giving matters: chair appointment leads to student success stories
For the past seven years, OLPD Professor Sasha Ardichvili has held the Hellervik Endowed Chair in Leadership and Adult Career Development. For Ardichvili, it’s not what the chair does for him, but what it helps him do for others that he has found..
Keeping on the cutting edge Keeping on the cutting edge
To meet the needs of today’s students in an ever-changing world means always keeping a vigilant eye on the latest developments across all academic disciplines. CEHD is proud to announce several new programs and degrees designed to keep our...
New faces on campus New faces on campus
CEHD is welcoming one of its largest cohorts of new faculty members beginning this fall. We are proud to introduce them and look forward to the insights and expertise they will bring to our college.
SPRING / SUMMER 2022
Advocating for women in sport
A champion of student equity A champion of student equity
“When I made the decision to become a teacher, I jumped into the nearest metaphorical closet. The message to me in 1999 was there is no space to be an out teacher. That doesn’t exist.
Advocating for women in sport Advocating for women in sport
From under- and misrepresentation of women’s sport and sportswomen, to underrepresentation of women leaders in sport, to participation disparities, gender-related inequities are commonplace in athletics. For nearly 30 years, scholars in the Tucker.
Elevating the voice of educators Elevating the voice of educators
As COVID-19 began upending daily life in earnest in early 2020, uncertainty loomed everywhere. The effect on schools was especially concerning. As schools were pushed to distance learning, educators, students, and parents raised concerns about the...
Giving Matters: easing financial anxiety Giving Matters: easing financial anxiety
Yiting Li, a PhD student in the Department of Family Social Science, has focused her research on financial anxiety, especially for couples. A paper she wrote on the subject: “A Decade Review of Publications in Family Financial Socialization, Young.
ICI’s inclusive roots ICI’s inclusive roots
CEHD’s Institute on Community Integration (ICI) adds an often-overlooked dimension to the fight for racial equity. Named and founded on Civil Rights-era principles of breaking down exclusionary barriers, ICI conducts research and provides training.
Looking through a different lens Looking through a different lens
Each year the U.S. hosts more than 1 million international students, and Minnesota is a top destination. International students have always been central to global diplomacy and internationalization efforts in higher education. The first...
Student teachers rise to the challenges of the pandemic Student teachers rise to the challenges of the pandemic
“During the COVID-19 pandemic teachers from the U have been incredible,” says Ruth Krider, a second-grade teacher and mentor in the St. Paul Public Schools.
Working on the workforce Working on the workforce
The world of work is in a state of upheaval thanks to many factors, from COVID-19 and the Great Resignation to generational shifts and technological advances like artificial intelligence. The challenges are interconnected and complex, requiring...
WINTER 2022
TRIO programs in CEHD
A relationship of mutuality A relationship of mutuality
Poland shares a 332-mile (535 km) border with Ukraine. Since the Russian invasion began in February 2022, more than 3.5 million people have come across that border to flee their war-ravaged homeland.
Building community, raising voices Building community, raising voices
This August marked the return of the Leading in Equity, Action, and Diversity (LEAD) conference, a CEHD-sponsored event designed to give education leaders the tools and ideas necessary to disrupt pervasive racial inequities in PreK-12 schools...
CEHD’s Cambodian connections CEHD’s Cambodian connections
In January 2018, Department of Curriculum and Instruction Associate Professor Vichet Chhuon, International Initiatives and Relations Director Marina Aleixo, and Department of Family Social Science Professor Catherine Solheim traveled to Cambodia...
Climate curriculum Climate curriculum
Climate Change may well be the defining issue of our time. From more extreme weather events to an increase in vector-borne diseases, decreasing food security, and ecological collapse, climate change touches everyone’s life.
Giving matters: chair appointment leads to student success stories Giving matters: chair appointment leads to student success stories
For the past seven years, OLPD Professor Sasha Ardichvili has held the Hellervik Endowed Chair in Leadership and Adult Career Development. For Ardichvili, it’s not what the chair does for him, but what it helps him do for others that he has found..
Keeping on the cutting edge Keeping on the cutting edge
To meet the needs of today’s students in an ever-changing world means always keeping a vigilant eye on the latest developments across all academic disciplines. CEHD is proud to announce several new programs and degrees designed to keep our...
New faces on campus New faces on campus
CEHD is welcoming one of its largest cohorts of new faculty members beginning this fall. We are proud to introduce them and look forward to the insights and expertise they will bring to our college.
FALL 2021
¡Bienvenidos! Meet new CEHD Dean Michael C. Rodriguez
A conversation with new CEHD Dean Michael C. Rodriguez A conversation with new CEHD Dean Michael C. Rodriguez
Learn more about Michael and his vision for the future of CEHD.
A decade of learning across borders A decade of learning across borders
Ten years ago, CEHD and the Seoul National University of Education (SNUE) in South Korea tried out a new program. SNUE was interested in sending teacher candidates to the United States for professional development. That initial trial run turned...
Alumni profile: a coach is first and foremost an educator Alumni profile: a coach is first and foremost an educator
In the fall of 1973, Terry Ganley set foot on the University of Minnesota grounds as a freshman.
Called to serve Called to serve
Certain people we meet in our careers leave an indelible impression. For Emeritus Professor Frank Wood—and many others across CEHD, the University, and state of Minnesota, Frank Wilderson is that colleague.
Closing the disparity gap in education Closing the disparity gap in education
While listing to public radio a few years ago, David Perrin, MSW ’76, heard that African Americans, men in particular, were 38 percent less likely to drop out of school in the fourth through sixth grade if they had a teacher of color.
Giving Matters: helping children pursue their dreams Giving Matters: helping children pursue their dreams
For 12 years, Andre Dukes, MA ’ , has been working in North Minneapolis on issues of child development, and on child welfare issues more broadly since 2006.
Inference Galaxy—interstellar adventures in reading comprehension Inference Galaxy—interstellar adventures in reading comprehension
For many years, national assessment data has shown that nearly one-third of all fourth-grade students score below proficient levels in reading, meaning they are having trouble comprehending what they read. For many students identified as having...
Mutually beneficial partnerships Mutually beneficial partnerships
A research-practice partnership (RPP) is a special kind of collaboration that better aligns the work of researchers with the work of practitioners. Researchers and practitioners work in tandem to create shared goals to inform program design and...
Protecting elders Protecting elders
Nine years after she received a degree in English, Iris Freeman returned to school, this time to seek a master’s in social work. Her interests and community work were increasingly in the cause of social justice, and as a result of her MSW field...
Providing international opportunities Providing international opportunities
In 1968, David and Joan Elton hosted a Dutch student who was on a scholarship to attend Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter. The student quickly became part of the family and is still in touch. It was experiences like this that led the couple to..
The Legacy of Dean William Gardner The Legacy of Dean William Gardner
He was once described as an educational activist in a bow tie. It’s a fairly apt portrait of William Earl “Bill” Gardner, who balanced professionalism with the determination and drive to institute change wherever he found it necessary.
SPRING / SUMMER 2021
A new virtual reality
A new tool for early childhood professionals A new tool for early childhood professionals
The Reflective Practice Center at the Center for Early Education and Development (CEED) has just released nine new reflective supervision self-study modules. Created with working professionals in mind, each module delivers evidence-based content...
A new virtual reality A new virtual reality
For more than a year now, the COVID-19 pandemic has kept most of us separated. But for many, especially an institution of higher learning, that will just not do. New ways of communication, collaboration, and connection were needed to allow us to...
Giving Matters: in support of transfer students Giving Matters: in support of transfer students
CEHD is proud to offer numerous scholarships that meet a wide variety of student needs. Surprisingly, however, there are very few that support transfer students. This is especially troublesome since these students typically miss the standard...
Harnessing the power of educational technology Harnessing the power of educational technology
Educational psychologists support schools in addressing COVID-related equity issues through MTSS expertise, emphasizing equity in student support.Kerr Sims’ own academic journey found a new trajectory when she was introduced to the field of...
Helping schools overcome COVID-related equity issues Helping schools overcome COVID-related equity issues
In the midst of a pandemic and a long-brewing social reckoning, researchers from the Department of Educational Psychology saw a pragmatic opportunity to apply their expertise in helping schools inject equity into their student support structures...
Responding to the needs of the time Responding to the needs of the time
From its roots in the “Principles of Economy and Cooking” courses offered in 1884, to 2021 courses such as “Trauma and Resilience in Families,” the Department of Family Social Science has throughout its history responded to the needs of the…
Talking about activism and empowerment in sports Talking about activism and empowerment in sports
Tucker Center Talks is a popular podcast presented by the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport. Now in its third year, the podcast, co-sponsored by WiSP Sports, features invited guests, timely critiques, the latest research, and...
WINTER 2021
Brain boost
Aiding the helping professions Aiding the helping professions
First responders in all 50 states are now using an app designed by University of Minnesota researchers to help manage the emotional and physical exhaustion of their work that can lead to personal burnout, reduced feelings of empathy, and...
Alumni profile: educational persistence Alumni profile: educational persistence
Iris HeavyRunner-PrettyPaint, PhD ’09, often says she is a living example of her own dissertation. She considers herself a Pisatsikamotaan, a “miracle survivor.” That term refers to Native students who are able to “persist” in non-tribal...
Brain Boost Brain Boost
There are many ways the human brain can go off track during development—trauma, poor nutrition, neurocognitive disorders, stress, genetic diseases—all affecting the trajectory of people’s lives.
Creating a culture of inclusion Creating a culture of inclusion
Professors Gillian Roehrig and Keisha Varma from CEHD are leading an initiative to increase diversity in the STEM fields as part of a $26 million National Science Foundation grant awarded to the U. The grant is to establish the Engineering...
Giving matters: social innovation challenge Giving matters: social innovation challenge
The School of Social Work has long been committed to innovation, especially in partnership with community members.
Helping families with justice system trauma Helping families with justice system trauma
In their clinical internship work at a Minneapolis substance abuse treatment center, two Department of Family Social Science PhD candidates became deeply troubled by how few mental health services were accessible to their clients over...
McKnight Professorships recognize influential early career work McKnight Professorships recognize influential early career work
The goal of the McKnight Land-Grant Professorship is to advance the careers of new assistant professors at a crucial point in their professional lives. The goal of this award is to advance the careers of new assistant professors at a crucial point...
MN Legislature approves funding for new ICD building MN Legislature approves funding for new ICD building
The Minnesota Legislature has passed a bonding bill that includes funding to construct a new building for our Institute of Child Development (ICD). It took many months of debate, but the Minnesota House passed the $1.36 billion bill on a 100-34 vote.
Opioid epidemic: ICI’s MNLEND will create statewide telehealth hub Opioid epidemic: ICI’s MNLEND will create statewide telehealth hub
The Wyoming Institute for Disabilities (WIND) has tapped the Institute on Community Integration’s (ICI) Minnesota Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (MNLEND) program to create a network of partner organizations...
Toward being an antiracist institution Toward being an antiracist institution
The Death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last May galvanized world opinion that it was beyond time to finally address racial inequities in a meaningful and lasting way. CEHD is not exempt from this reckoning. Although racial justice, diversity...
FALL 2020: SPECIAL ISSUE
Racism, resilience, and resolve
Caring for our community Caring for our community
This collection of stories and commentaries contains reflections and reactions offered in the wake of the killing of St. Louis Park resident George Floyd on May 25, 2020. Generated by CEHD alumni, students, faculty, and staff, the contributions...
Commitment and action Commitment and action
This collection of stories and commentaries contains reflections and reactions offered in the wake of the killing of St. Louis Park resident George Floyd on May 25, 2020. Generated by CEHD alumni, students, faculty, and staff, the contributions...
Lived experiences Lived experiences
This collection of stories and commentaries contains reflections and reactions offered in the wake of the killing of St. Louis Park resident George Floyd on May 25, 2020. Generated by CEHD alumni, students, faculty, and staff, the contributions...
Resilience Resilience
This collection of stories and commentaries contains reflections and reactions offered in the wake of the killing of St. Louis Park resident George Floyd on May 25, 2020. Generated by CEHD alumni, students, faculty, and staff, the contributions...
SPRING / SUMMER 2020
Thanks, Jean
A vision for all students (and teachers) 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...
Ahead of the pack Ahead of the pack
As an undergraduate pursuing a business and marketing education (BME) degree, Bryce Kelley knew that he set himself apart.
Giving matters Giving matters
SENIOR ELEMENTARY EDUCATION FOUNDATIONS major Cindy Vang (right) was worried about whether she could afford materials and textbooks for her fall classes when she got some unexpected news—a donor was going to buy all the textbooks and classroom...
ICD outreach program educates youth about brain development ICD outreach program educates youth about brain development
Graduate students in the Institute of Child Development (ICD) are educating young people about brain development and cognition through Growing Brains, a developmental neuroscience outreach program that aims to inspire children and adolescents to...
Thanks, Jean Thanks, Jean
Since 2008, Jean Quam has been dean of the College of Education and Human Development, leading the college from its initial merger to greater and greater levels of success and recognition. After 12 years, she is stepping down August 1, 2020...
Understanding learning through data Understanding learning through data
CEHD’s new Learning Informatics Lab lies at the crossroads of computation and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Unlocking secrets of the brain Unlocking secrets of the brain
Fascinated by the human brain and the mysteries of its biology, neuroscientist Damien Fair took advantage of powerful new brain imaging tools to make important discoveries about child development and mental health disorders. He will bring his...
Youth Sports: today, and tomorrow Youth Sports: today, and tomorrow
Over 60 million children in the United States are involved in youth sports, which can provide children with confidence, skill development, and friendships. Yet youth sports are often described as exclusive, expensive, or unsafe. Why is that, and...
WINTER 2020
Advancing Inclusion
Acting on data Acting on data
To meet a state science standard, ninth graders in Minnesota must learn about energy sources. Teachers at Minneapolis South High School took a new approach last year, using technology that combined the required topics with discussions about...
Advancing Inclusion Advancing Inclusion
How many young children are diagnosed each year with autism? What’s the best way to keep students from dropping out of school? Why are direct support worker shortages at crisis levels? Answers to these big, timely questions and many others unfold..
Balancing values Balancing values
Love may bring two people together, but sometimes money is what drives them apart. Matters of finance can strain relationships in many ways, such as when spouses keep secret debts from each other or when there are salary imbalances between partners..
Creating new pathways Creating new pathways
Irene Fernando isn’t one for wasting time. A mere 10 days into her freshman year at the U, she co-founded Students Today, Leaders Forever (STLF)—a leadership nonprofit focused on service, relationships, and action.
Giving matters: give back what the community needs Giving matters: give back what the community needs
In her first months as University of Minnesota president, Joan T.A. Gabel has made an extra effort to acknowledge that the campus was built on the traditional homelands of the Dakota people. Unfortunately, Native American students have long been...
Managing Movement Disorders Managing Movement Disorders
On the fourth floor of Cooke Hall, high above the bustle and noise of offices and classrooms, there is a light-filled, spacious laboratory, immaculate and efficient. Here a group of talented and dedicated researchers and students are discovering...
Providing Mental Health Care in a Humanitarian Crisis Providing Mental Health Care in a Humanitarian Crisis
For School of Social Work faculty member Katrina Cisneros, those lines from Warsan Shire’s poem, “Home,” eloquently explain why thousands of refugees are willing to risk their lives to seek asylum in the United States and why she wants to do...
Reflective supervision Reflective supervision
Professionals who work on the frontline with children and families living in high-stress situations or with challenging problems need large amounts of emotional energy. Even in the best of times those circumstances can feel overwhelming and...
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