Awards and Honors News

Green Wins Presidential Fellowship

Awards Round Up: Fellowships, Awards, and NCAA Titles

When alumna Maddie Zimmer arrived in Evanston in 2020, Northwestern’s field hockey team hadn’t reached a Final Four in 26 years.

Third Annual Robing Ceremony Honors PhDs

Fourteen new PhDs were honored and gifted regalia before the 2026 convocation celebration during the third annual doctoral robing ceremony at Northwestern University's School of Education and Social Policy.

Kumar Wins Fulbright Award

Northwestern University’s Anusha Kumar, an honors student who studied social policy, received a U.S. Student Fulbright Award to teach English in Linz, Austria.

2025-2026: A Year of Learning, Leading, and Policy

From our highest-ever U.S. News & World Report ranking to the first graduates of two news master's programs, it was a breakthrough year at the School of Education and Social Policy.

Honors Class of 2026

Lea Kalkowski's senior honors thesis grew from her experience interning at a legal advocacy nonprofit. After helping more than 70 people through the process of expungement — clearing a criminal conviction from the record — Kalkowski wanted to dig deeper into the issues around implementing policy.

Coburn Wins Walder Award

Cynthia Coburn, the Margaret Walker Alexander Professor of Human Development and Social Policy, received the Martin E. and Gertrude G. Walder Award for Research Excellence.

Vossoughi Named ISLS Fellow

Shirin Vossoughi, associate professor of learning sciences at the School of Education and Social Policy, has been elected a fellow of the International Society of Learning Sciences for her work studying how and why people learn.

Graduate Students Awarded Dissertation Fellowships

Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy graduate students Andrew Stein and Corey Winchester have received highly competitive NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowships to support their research and career development.

Why Do High Schoolers See Block-Based Coding as "Not Real"?

New Northwestern University research suggests negative perceptions about block-based programming can be challenged.

Connor Wong: Making Room for Young Leaders

Connor Wong was in middle school when he first tried to sell his own stationery and hit a wall. Etsy and eBay had fees and required users to be older. Farmers markets charged $500 for a booth. Nobody was making room for kids.

Brayboy Elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences

School of Education and Social Policy Dean Bryan McKinley Jones Brayboy, the Carlos Montezuma Professor, was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the nation's oldest and most prestigious honorary societies.

Brayboy Champions Abundance Over Scarcity in AERA Lecture

The history of American schooling is tied to the forced removal of Indigenous peoples — and U.S. institutions must confront that legacy to build a fairer, more just future, School of Education and Social Policy Dean Bryan McKinley Jones Brayboy said during the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Distinguished Lecture, one of the signature events of the 2026 Annual Meeting.

Undergraduate Named Student Worker of the Year

School of Education and Social Policy senior Timothy Huff was named a Northwestern University Student Employee of the Year in Community and Belonging for his leadership work with Black Men LEAD, a mentoring program at Evanston Township High School.

SESP Grad Wins $100,000 on Shark Tank

Alumna Sloane Barry (BS22) and partner Brennan Hellmers appeared on Shark Tank, pitching SOMNIA+, a bed expander kit designed to make narrow dorm beds more functional and comfortable without replacing the mattress or using tools.

SESP Ranked No. 2 by U.S. News

Northwestern University's School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) has earned its highest-ever ranking — No. 2 among graduate schools of education in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Destin Joins Carnegie Foundation Push to Improve High School

Professor Mesmin Destin was named a senior fellow with the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, joining a national effort to bridge the gap between what young people need to thrive and what high school currently delivers.

Ecford Named to Bouchet Honor Society

Ozivell Ecford, a learning sciences graduate student at Northwestern University's School of Education and Social Policy, has been selected for the 2026 Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society, which recognizes outstanding scholarly achievement and excellence in doctoral education.

Nuamah Earns Coveted Bellagio Residency

Northwestern University professor Sally Nuamah has been selected as a 2026 Bellagio Center resident by the Rockefeller Foundation — a prestigious 26-day residency on the shores of Lake Como, Italy.

Brayboy to Deliver AERA Distinguished Lecture

School of Education and Social Policy Dean Bryan McKinley Jones Brayboy has been selected to deliver the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Distinguished Lecture, one of the signature events of the 2026 Annual Meeting.

Juniper Shelley: Around the World in 70 Days

Juniper Shelley once thought the “cool” research happened in windowless STEM labs, not in the social sciences. But after joining Professor Sally Nuamah’s lab, she realized research can also mean getting out into the world, talking to people, and exploring challenging questions.

Faculty Influence Recognized in Annual Rankings

Four faculty members and an associated scholar with Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy were named to the 2025 RHSU Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings for their work bringing research out of academic journals and into everyday life.

Yin Elected to National Academy of Social Insurance

Michelle Yin has been elected to the National Academy of Social Insurance, the nation’s leading nonpartisan organization focused on Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, disability policy, and related issues in social insurance, workforce, and economic security.

2025: Year in Review

Stories from 2025 that highlight our community, research, and faculty excellence.

Wilensky: ‘We Can't Look the Other Way'

Northwestern University’s Uri Wilensky shared his vision for making computational thinking more accessible during the Yidan Prize Awards Ceremony in Hong Kong, where he received the 2025 Yidan Prize for Education Research.

When Yahtzee and Legos Add Up to Math

Northwestern University’s Jen Munson has received a five-year, $815,789 CAREER grant from the National Science Foundation to design spaces that make math as enjoyable as recreational reading.

Alumna Named to Crain’s 40 Under 40 List

Alumna Izzy Dobbel (BS20), deputy chief of staff for the Illinois House Speaker, was named to the Crain’s Chicago Business 40 Under 40 Class of 2025.

Medin Wins $100,000 Rumelhart Prize

Doug Medin, Professor Emeritus at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy, received the David E. Rumelhart Prize, the most important award in the field of cognitive science.

Uri Wilensky Awarded 2025 Yidan Prize

Uri Wilensky, a preeminent scholar in computer modeling and simulations, received the 2025 Yidan Prize for Education Research, the world’s largest prize in education.

Olga Vaskova Creates Award-Winning Lesson Plan

Olga Vaskova, a graduate student in the Master of Science in Education and Social Policy Program, earned a $500 prize in the Tzu Chi Center’s Character Education Lesson Plan Competition for her English language arts lesson focused on The Wizard of Oz, one of her daughter’s favorite books.

McAdams Receives Third Lifetime Career Award

Northwestern University psychologist Dan P. McAdams has been selected to receive the International Society for Self and Identity’s 2025 Distinguished Lifetime Career Award for his contributions to the understanding of self and identity throughout his academic career.

Wells Wins 2026 AERA Fellowship

Tre Wells, a Northwestern University doctoral candidate, received an AERA Minority Dissertation Fellowship in Education Research for 2025–26.

Brayboy, Bang Honored During Investiture Ceremonies

Northwestern University celebrated the distinguished careers of Dean Bryan McKinley Jones Brayboy and Professor Megan Bang during investiture ceremonies that recognized their groundbreaking contributions to education, access, and community-centered research.

“My name is Sarah Krueper Futa, and I am SESP.”

Sarah Futa was a 45-year-old single mom of four when she returned to graduate school to refresh her skills and reclaim a part of herself that had long been missing.

Doctoral Students Honored

A dozen new PhDs were honored and gifted regalia before the 2025 convocation celebration during the second annual doctoral robing ceremony at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy.

2025 Graduate Student Awards Roundup

Northwestern University’s Katarzyna (Kasia) Pomian Bogdanov, who just received her doctorate in learning sciences from the School of Education and Social Policy, received a 2025 Jhumki Basu Scholar Award from the National Association for Research in Science Teaching.

Ahn Wins Undergraduate Leadership Award

Graduating senior Kaylyn Ahn, one of the most decorated students in SESP history, received the Outstanding Undergraduate Leadership Award from Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy.

SESP’s Elite Athletes Shine

From Olympic competition to record-breaking performances on campus, Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy athletes balanced academics and elite competition during the 2024-25 school year.

Honors Students Celebrated

Undergraduate researchers examined everything from consumer behavior and supports for dyslexic students to whether Hawai’i is truly a paradise as part of their senior thesis research projects.

Undergrads Win Awards at Research Expo

Seniors Lillian Fu, Mia Xia, and Adrienne Scheide were honored for their research at Northwestern University’s Undergraduate Research & Arts Expo, which celebrates the accomplishments and discoveries of undergraduates through poster presentations and curated student panel talks.

Celebrating Teachers Who Change Lives

Four high school educators who left a deep imprint on their students’ lives will be honored with the prestigious Morton Schapiro Distinguished Secondary School Teacher Award during Northwestern University’s 2025 Convocation ceremony on Sunday, June 15.

Michael Horn Honored for Teaching Excellence

Michael Horn was awarded the Charles Deering Professor of Teaching Excellence Award for his innovative approach to computer science and his ability to inspire a lifelong love of learning—a critical skill in our rapidly changing world.

Coburn Elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Professor Cynthia Coburn was one of nine Northwestern University faculty members elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honorary societies.

Scholars Present at AERA 2025

Faculty, alumni and and students will showcase their research at the 2025 American Educational Research Association’s meeting in Denver.

Tre Wells Selected for Bouchet Honor Society

Tre Wells, a graduate student studying human development and social policy, has been selected for the Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society, which recognizes outstanding scholarly achievement and excellence in doctoral education.

Nia Coffey Inducted into Hall of Fame

School of Education and Social Policy alumna and basketball standout Nia Coffey (BS17) was one of nine Wildcats inducted into the Northwestern Athletics Hall of Fame.

Vuchic Honored by Lincoln Academy

Northwestern University senior Maya Alexandra Vuchic, a student in the School of Education and Social Policy, has been named a Student Laureate by the Lincoln Academy of Illinois for her work in community and civic engagement.

Five Faculty Named 2025 Edu-Scholars

Five faculty members from Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy were named to the 2025 RHSU Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings for their work bringing research out of academic journals and into everyday lives.

Ahn Named Marshall Scholar

Kaylyn Ahn won a prestigious 2025 Marshall Scholarship to study public policy at the University of Oxford in England. Ahn, the first School of Education and Social Policy student to receive the award, is Northwestern’s 29th overall winner.

Haase, Zhong Honored at Fletcher Awards

Psychological scientist Claudia Haase and undergraduate research assistant Angela Zhong, a member of Haase’s Lifespan Development Lab, were honored during a recent Fletcher Awards ceremony at Northwestern University.

Graduates Earn Two Prestigious Master’s Degrees

For Denise Si Rui Tan, graduate school often felt like a marathon—daunting, intense, and exhausting. But by the end of her journey earning two master’s degrees in two different cultures, she was forever changed.

Resnick Wins Women’s Transportation Award

Aimee Resnick received the 2024 Future Industry Spotlight Award from the American Road & Transportation Builders Association for her leadership as an intern with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).

Brown, Tripathi Take First Place in Case Competition

Northwestern University scholars Ahmmad Brown and Ritu Tripathi received first place and a $10,000 prize in the 2024 University of Michigan Global DEI case competition for prompting students to think about how hard it can be to implement new equity policies in global organizations.

Northwestern Secures $1.2 Million Grant to Train STEM Educators

Northwestern University received a $1.2 million award from the National Science Foundation’s Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program to provide scholarships to undergraduate STEM majors who want to pursue teaching in high-needs school districts.

SESP Athletes Shine at the Paris Olympics

School of Education and Social Policy student athletes and alumni returned from the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics with medals, career bests, and unforgettable experiences. Here’s a quick update on how our athletes did.

Undergrads Win Voyager Scholarships

Addison Feldman (pictured) and Ally Peak, both juniors at Northwestern University's School of Education and Social Policy, have been selected for the 2024 Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service, also known as the Voyager Scholarship.

David Rapp: 'Reading Made Me Who I Am'

When David Rapp was in high school, he worked in one of his favorite places in the world: The public library. There, the teenager was put in charge of literary classics, magazines, science fiction, and humor sections, all genres he still adores.

Softball Standout Named Top Financial Advisor

Softball Hall of Famer Tammy Williams wasn’t quite sure which direction to take her career after graduation. She kept playing her sport at elite levels, earned a master’s in business administration, and soon realized she had a knack for both numbers and helping people.

Callegari Wins Cog-Sci Fellowship

Graduate student Julia de Oliveira Callegari received a 2024- 2025 Northwestern Cognitive Science Advanced Research Fellowship to support her work looking at the interplay between identity, culture, and learning in children.

McAdams Honored With Lifetime Achievement Awards

Northwestern University psychologist Dan P. McAdams was honored with two lifetime achievement awards in recognition of his career-long impact on the field of psychology.

Olympians Head to Paris

The 2024 Olympic Games begin Friday, July 26, followed by the Paralympic Games on Aug. 28. Of the 13 athletes and two coaches affiliated with Northwestern University, four have a connection with the School of Education and Social Policy.

McCann To Receive Alumni Medal

Alumna Renetta McCann, a global leader in advertising, media, and organizational change, will receive the alumni medal, Northwestern University’s Alumni Association’s highest honor.

Scholar Athletes Set School Record

Thirty-seven student athletes from Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy earned Big Ten Distinguished Scholar recognition in 2023-24, setting a new School record.

Doctoral Robing: A New SESP Tradition

Seven new PhDs were gifted regalia and honored during a special robing ceremony prior to the 2024 convocation celebration as part of a new School of Education and Social Policy tradition.

Haase Wins Ver Steeg Fellowship

Developmental psychologist Claudia Haase received the 19th annual Dorothy Ann and Clarence L. Ver Steeg Distinguished Research Fellowship Award for her work probing the mysteries behind emotions and relationships.

2024 Undergraduate Honors and Awards

Avery Hirschfield, who studied learning and organizational change and minored in psychology, received the School of Education and Social Policy’s Alumni Leadership Award for her work as president and co-director of the Global Engagement Summit, a student-led conference uniting entrepreneurs across the world.

Meet SESP’s 2024 Honors Students

Anxiety, identity, and mentorship emerged as key themes for honors students at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy, who were recognized during a faculty meeting and presented their work at a poster session.

David Uttal: Maps, Space, and Place

David Uttal was 13 years old when he took a wrong turn on a hiking trail in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Rescuers searched for him on foot, trail bike, jeep, and by air, probing thick underbrush and steep ridges across 60,000 acres.

Love Wins National Science Foundation Fellowship

Doctoral student Shanequewa Love has been awarded the highly selective National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship to support her work looking at the relationship between Black mothers and the child welfare system.

Faculty Elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Megan Bang and Uri Wilensky were elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honorary societies.

Alums Work to Improve San Francisco City Services

Alumni Kathryn “Kate” Bowman and Neva Legallet are working for Bay Area city government as part of the San Francisco Fellows program.

Undergrad Named Truman Scholar

Kaylyn Ahn (right), a junior at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social policy, was one of two Northwestern students to be named a 2024 Truman Scholar, the nation’s premier scholarship for students interested in public service.

SESP Ranked No. 5 by U.S. News

For the second year in a row, Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) has been ranked among the top five graduate schools of education according to the 2024-25 U.S. News and World Report Best Education Graduate Schools rankings.

Learning Scientists Named to National Academies’ Committee

Northwestern University’s Sepehr Vakil and alumnus Victor Lee (PhD08) of Stanford University have been named to a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine consensus committee charged with looking at artificial intelligence and data science in K-12 education.

Nuamah's Latest Book Named PROSE Award Finalist

Sally Nuamah’s latest book, Closed for Democracy, which examines how closing public schools can influence democracy, was named a finalist for the 2024 Professional and Scholarship Excellence (PROSE) Award in the government and politics division.

Brayboy Elected to AERA Leadership

Northwestern University’s Bryan Brayboy, a world renowned scholar on race, diversity, and Indigenous experiences in education, was elected to the Council and Executive Board of the American Educational Research Association.

Bang, Tipton Named AERA Fellows

Northwestern University scholars Megan Bang and Elizabeth Tipton were named 2024 American Educational Research Association (AERA) Fellows for their outstanding contributions to the field.

Worsley Named Jacobs Fellow

Northwestern University’s Marcelo Worsley has been named a research fellow with the Jacobs Foundation to support his work helping students learn computer science through sports.

Two Degrees. Two Cultures. Infinite Possibilities.

Calling her own 17-month experience an “epic adventure,” Ning Yu urged her classmates to embrace adversity and turn obstacles into opportunities during her Master of Science in Social and Economic Policy convocation remarks at Northwestern University’s Mary B. Galvin Recital Hall.

CTD Researchers Win Mensa Award

Scholars from the School of Education and Social Policy’s Center for Talent Development received the Mensa Foundation’s Award for Excellence in Research for a study looking at whether interventions designed to help underachieving gifted students actually work.

Faculty Recognized for Relevant, Useful Research

Five faculty members were named to the 2024 RHSU Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings for their work bringing research out of academic journals and into everyday lives.

Faculty Member Lauded for Mentorship

Tabitha Bonilla received the 2023 Adaljiza Sosa-Riddell Mentor Award from the American Political Science Association for her tireless support of Latino/a graduate students in political science.

Brayboy Honored With Prestigious Anthropology Award

School of Education and Social Policy Dean Bryan McKinley Jones Brayboy, one of the world’s most influential anthropologists of education, received the 2023 George and Louise Spindler Award for his work shaping the field, K-12 schools, and higher education.

Qu Wins Fourth Early Career Award

Northwestern University professor Yang Qu, a development psychologist who looks at how teenagers’ brains can be shaped by parenting, stereotypes, and cultural experiences, won the 2023 Early Career Award from the Society for the Study of Human Development

Megan Bang Elected to National Academy Board

School of Education and Social Policy faculty member Megan Bang was elected to the National Academy of Education’s Board of Directors. Her four-year term begins Nov. 3, 2023.

Winchester Continues Aspen Youth Leadership Work

Corey Winchester (BS10, MS20) was named a Graduate Fellow in Residence for the Aspen Young Leaders Fellowship (AYLF) program to continue his work creating learning environments that foster connection, compassion, freedom dreaming, and a sense of belonging.

Scholar Athletes Win Kabiller Award

Student athletes Reggie Fleurima and Hailey Weaver were named distinguished Irving Kabiller Memorial Award winners for their leadership qualities and commitment to professional development.

CTD Awarded U.S. Department of Education Javits Grant

The Center for Talent Development (CTD) at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy was recently awarded a 5-year, $600,000 Jacob K. Javits Grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

Alumnus Receives Missy Hughes Teacher Award

Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy alumnus Brennen Bariso (BSED20) received the Missy Hughes Teacher Award from 826CHI for nurturing his students’ love for writing.

Faculty Member Wins Tools Competition

Northwestern University education researcher David Uttal and colleagues received a $100,000 award in the annual Tools Competition to develop an interactive platform that helps students and teachers learn spatial and math skills by using intricate and familiar patterns found in the natural world.

These Two Alums Won Knowles Fellowships

Northwestern University alumni Claire Sampson (MS23) and Rose Taylor (MS22) are the latest School of Education and Social Policy recipients of a five-year fellowship from the Knowles Teacher Initiative.

Jackson Named to White House Council

Kirabo Jackson, one of the world’s leading experts in the economics of education, was appointed to the White House’s Council of Economic Advisors.

Brayboy Appointed to W.T. Grant Committee

Bryan McKinley Jones Brayboy, dean of Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy, was named to The William T. Grant Foundation’s Scholars Selection Committee.

Hedges to Receive International Education Award

Northwestern University's Larry Hedges, a world-renowned statistician and methodology researcher, will receive the José Vasconcelos World Award of Education from the World Cultural Council at the University of Helsinki.

Outstanding Graduate Students Honored

Chris Cvikota, a technical specialist at Northwestern University who earned his master’s in higher education administration and policy, received the Outstanding Leadership Awards from the Northwestern Alumni Association.

Undergrads Win Fulbrights, Leadership Awards, and More

Eman Kasha Akhtar, who majored in social policy and statistics, received the School of Education and Social Policy's Outstanding Leadership Award for her tireless support of first-generation students.

SESP Faculty Recognize Honors Students

Honors students explored everything from ethnic divisions in Israel to the impact of autoimmune diseases on the college experience as part of their senior honors thesis projects.

Grad Students, Alums Win NAEd/Spencer Fellowships

Five Northwestern University students and alumni, who are studying everything from alternative pathways to college to the design of Indigenous-led public schools, won 2023 National Academy of Education/Spencer Fellowships to support their scholarship.

Shapiro Named Top Northwestern Instructor

Associate professor Lilah Shapiro was honored with a Northwestern University Teaching Excellence Award for her innovative classroom instruction and her unflagging investment in the success of her students.

Lester Wins Wildcat Impact Award

Emily Lester, co-president of Campus Kitchen, received the Wildcat Impact award for her work managing the group’s activities through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shedding Light on Hidden Histories

Danny M. Cohen (PhD11) received a Provost Grant for Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts to expand his work helping teachers and students explore hidden histories of the Holocaust.

Student Leaders Join Global Initiative

Undergraduates Aimee Resnick and Lauren Black were among ten Northwestern University students named to the 2023 Clinton Global Initiative University cohort of young leaders working to address global challenges.

Honey, Beads, and Peace for the Yaaku

Northwestern University’s Edwin Pokisa, a member of the Yaaku tribe in Kenya, received a $10,000 Projects for Peace grant to implement a honey-harvesting and bead making project in his hometown of Doldol in Laikipia County.

Doctoral Student Wins DevSci Fellowship

Matías Martinez, a doctoral student in the Human Development and Social Policy program, received the DevSci Graduate Student Fellowship to further his research looking at how schools can prevent bullying and helping kids cope with peer victimization.

Tennis Great Inducted into Hall of Fame

Georgia Rose Munns (BS09), the centerpiece of an era of incredible success for Northwestern women’s tennis during her career, was one of eight Wildcats inducted into the 2022 Northwestern University Athletics Hall of Fame.

Ruby Scanlon Named Schwarzman Scholar

School of Education and Social Policy alumna Ruby Scanlon (BS22), an international antitrust specialist at the US Department of Justice, received a 2023 Schwarzman Scholarship, one of the world’s most selective graduate programs.

Mike Horn Wins Linzer Award

Northwestern University’s Michael Horn received the 2023 Daniel Linzer Award for Faculty Excellence in Diversity and Equity for finding creative ways to make coding fun and accessible.

New Grant Assesses Ending the Subminimum Wage

Northwestern University economist Michelle Yin has received a $4.29 million grant from the US Department of Education to assess a Virginia intervention designed to end the practice of paying less than the minimum wage to people with disabilities.

Students Honor Top Faculty, Staff

Six members of Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy community were selected to the 2021-22 Associated Student Government Faculty and Administrator Honor Roll for their teaching, dedication, and care for students.

Muskin, Stein Win Honorable Mention in Essay Contest

Graduate students Melanie Muskin and Andrew Stein received honorable mention in the Society for Psychological Study of Social Issues essay contest, which challenged writers to address the legacy of white supremacy and Western dominance in psychology.

Recent Grad Dedicates a Year to Community Service

School of Education and Social Policy graduate Samira Asseh received a 2022–2023 Project Horseshoe Farm Fellowship, a rigorous and intensive year of volunteer service and learning in the community health field.

SESP Students, Alumni Win Spencer Fellowships

Northwestern University’s Jessica Marshall, a doctoral student in the learning sciences program, and two School of Education and Social Policy alumni were among the 35 scholars who received 2022 National Academy of Education/Spencer Dissertation Fellowships.

Undergrads Win Fellowships, Fulbrights, and More

Morgan Hodges (BS22), who plans to pursue her master's in counseling, received the School of Education and Social Policy's Outstanding Leadership Award from the Northwestern Alumni Association. She was one of dozens of undergrads who earned accolades this year.

Graduate Students Honored for Leadership, Scholarship

Julissa Muñiz, who earned her PhD in Human Development and Social Policy, was named the School of Education and Social Policy's Outstanding Alumna, in part for founding the first graduate student organization for Latinx students, Comunidad Latinx.

Kelter Wins Presidential Fellowship

Jacob Kelter, who studies how the power of computer modeling and simulations can help solve some of society’s most complex problems, received the prestigious Presidential Fellowship at Northwestern University.

Meet SESP’s 2022 Senior Honors Students

Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy honors students were recognized for rigorous and relevant scholarship by interim Dean Dan P. McAdams, Professor David Rapp, Assistant Dean Susan Olson and faculty members during a ceremony and poster presentation session.

Uttal Wins Research Translation Award

David Uttal received the 2022 International Mind, Brain and Education Society’s translation award for his work strengthening the links between research and practice in both schools and informal contexts such as museums and community centers.

SESP Welcomes First Early Career Visiting Scholars

Scholars Sofia Bahena and Camila Morales have been named the inaugural early career visiting fellows at Northwestern University's Center for Education Efficacy, Excellence, and Equity (E4) during the 2022-23 academic year.

Spillane Honored for Mentoring Young Scholars

James Spillane received the 2022 Spencer Foundation Mentor Award for his generous, wise, and decades-long support of the next generation of scholars.

Kirabo Jackson Elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Professor Kirabo Jackson was one of four Northwestern University faculty members elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of nation’s most prestigious honorary societies.

Jackson Named Editor of Leading Economic Journal

Northwestern University professor Kirabo Jackson was appointed lead editor for the American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, one of the nation’s most respected scholarly economic journals.

Salzman Joins Knowles Cohort of Teaching Fellows

Northwestern University alumna Emily Salzman (MS21) a math teacher at Chicago’s Lane Tech College Prep High School, is the latest School of Education and Social Policy recipient of a five-year fellowship from the Knowles Science Teaching Foundation.

Vossoughi Named One of Northwestern's Best Teachers

Shirin Vossoughi was honored with a Northwestern University Teaching Award for bringing justice-oriented, intergenerational, and collaborative teaching to a new level and for championing the “half-baked idea.”

Nuamah’s Paper Wins Second Award

Sally Nuamah received the Rodney Higgins Best Faculty Paper Award from the National Conference of Black Political Scientists for her work highlighting the link between the ‘adultification’ of Black girls and public support for their punishment.

Two Faculty Members Elected to National Academy of Education

Northwestern University learning scientists Miriam Sherin and Uri Wilensky were among 17 exceptional scholars elected to the prestigious National Academy of Education for their outstanding work in education scholarship and research.

Olszewski-Kubilius Wins Palmarium Award

Northwestern University’s Paula Olszewski-Kubilius has been awarded the Palmarium Award for her pioneering vision of talent development and leadership in the field of gifted education.

Training Future K-5 Teachers in STEM

Professor Megan Bang and alumna Carrie Tzou (PhD08) received a $1.8 million National Science Foundation grant to better prepare aspiring elementary school teachers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Six Scholars Named as Nation’s Most Influential

Six Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy faculty members were named to Education Week’s annual list of 200 influential academics in education policy. The scholars are among the top in their fields and were selected for moving academic research findings into the national conversation.

Lam Honored for Immigration Research

School of Education and Social Policy Professor Eva Lam and her coauthors received the Alan C. Purves Award from the National Council of Teachers of English for their research looking at what happens when young people tell their own immigration stories through documentary filmmaking.

Why We All Pay When Black Girls are Punished

Northwestern University’s Sally Nuamah received the 2021 American Political Science Association, Best Paper on Intersectionality Award, for her work looking at how race and gender stereotypes affect public support for punishing Black girls.

She Won a Golden Apple. At Northwestern, Her Teaching Got Even Better.

Middle school teacher Margarita Raya Mojica spent a sabbatical at Northwestern University studying Latina voice, culture, and history. She came away awed, inspired -- and determined to share her experience with her students in East Moline, Ill.

Alexandra Sims: 'Follow What Energizes You'

School of Education and Social Policy alumna Alexandra Sims (BS10), recognized as one of Chicago’s most influential Black leaders, recently urged SESP students to not think of a career as one dot to one dot to one dot, but instead to think of it almost like a funnel.

Alumna Wins Campus Change Award

Alumna Soteria Reid (BS21) was one of four Northwestern University winners of the Jazzy Johnson Waw-jashk Student Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to sustainable campus change and growth.

Coleen Coleman Receives Jean Shedd Award

Coleen Coleman (BS88, MS91), senior associate dean at the School of Education and Social Policy, received the 2021 Jean E. Shedd University Citizenship Award winner for her selfless leadership, her empathy and advocacy, and her capacity for solving problems under pressure.

CTD Researchers Win Book, Paper of the Year Awards

Researchers at Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development have won both Book of the Year and Paper of the Year awards from the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC).

Graduate Students Win Spencer Dissertation Fellowships

Graduate students Nikki McDaid and Sebastián Kiguel have received highly competitive NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowships to support their research and career development.

Carol Lee Wins Harold W. McGraw Jr. Prize in Education

Northwestern University professor emeritus Carol Lee, president-elect of the National Academy of Education, has received a prestigious Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education for her outstanding contributions to learning sciences research.

Carol Lee Honored for Transformative Teaching, Research

Northwestern University’s Carol Lee, President Elect of the National Academy of Education, has received the 2021 National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) James R. Squire Award for her “transforming influence” and lasting contributions to education.

SESP Launches New Research-Practice Partnership with $5.8-Million Grant

Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) received a $5.8-million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support an innovative partnership that links University researchers and Curriculum Associates, a leading provider of digital assessment and instructional materials, with several school districts.

Alumna Receives Shinae Chun Prize to Pursue Master’s in Higher Ed

Northwestern University alumna Rocio Mendez-Rozo was awarded the $20,000 Shinae Chun Scholarship to begin her studies in the School of Education and Social Policy’s Master of Science in Higher Education Administration and Policy Program.

Two Faculty Members Honored for Education Research

Professors Carol D. Lee and Megan Bang were honored by the American Educational Research Association (AERA) for their cutting-edge education research, scholarship, and service to the field.

Bang Receives NSF Grant to Support Indigenous Science Education

Northwestern University’s Megan Bang has received a five-year, $3 million collaborative grant from the National Science Foundation to create a model of Indigenous science education that is focused on 21st century challenges around socio-environmental issues, like climate change, adaptation, and sustainable decision-making.

Brian Reiser named AERA Fellow

Northwestern University’s Brian Reiser, professor of learning sciences at the School of Education and Social Policy, has been named a 2021 American Educational Research Association (AERA) Fellow for distinguished and sustained work in science education.

Undergrad Wins Inaugural P. Lindsay Chase-Lansdale Research Grant

School of Education and Social Policy undergraduate Daniela Hernandez received the inaugural P. Lindsay Chase-Lansdale Undergraduate Summer Research Grant in Social Policy for Children and Families.

SESP Faculty 2020-21 Awards Roundup

Known for innovative interdisciplinary research, teaching, and outreach, School of Education and Social Policy faculty members are routinely honored for producing pathbreaking work on many of the world’s most challenging questions.

These Two Rising Stars Won Early CAREER Awards

Northwestern University’s Eleanor O’Rourke and Marcelo Worsley received the prestigious Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for projects designed to strengthen and diversify the field of computer science.

2021 Undergraduate Honors and Awards

Julia Borland, a third year studying social policy and economics, received a $10,000 award from Projects for Peace to help incorporate environmental and food justice issues into a sustainable farming program. She was one of dozens of outstanding SESP students to win an award this year.

Graduate Students Honored with Awards, Fellowships

Stephanie Demos, who received her masters of science in higher education administration and policy, was named the graduate winner of the SESP Alumni Leadership Award for bringing the community together during the pandemic.

Honors Students Present Senior Thesis Projects

Twelve School of Education and Social Policy honors students were recognized for rigorous and thoughtful scholarship by Dean David Figlio and faculty members during an online ceremony and poster presentation session.

Sheridan Fuller Named Presidential Fellow

Sheridan Fuller, a graduate student in the Human Development and Social Policy program at the School of Education and Social Policy, has received the prestigious Presidential Fellowship at Northwestern University for his work investigating the benefits and pitfalls of the social safety net, which is designed to protect Americans from poverty and hardship.

Coburn Honored With Excellence in Teaching Award

Cynthia Coburn has been awarded the Charles Deering McCormick University Professorship of Teaching Excellence Award for her innovative classroom instruction, the compassion and care she has shown undergraduates, and her pioneering contributions to the field of education research.

Qu Receives Early Career Award

Northwestern University developmental psychologist Yang Qu has received an Early Career Award from the Society for Research in Child Development’s Asian Caucus for his work studying the experiences of teenagers in the United States and China.

Undergrads Pursue Novel Research Projects

Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy students received 2020-21 Academic Year Undergraduate Research Grants (AYURG) to study everything from athletic shoe culture to the impacts of COVID19- and the Black Lives Matter movement on Black-owned businesses.

SESP Entrepreneur Named Little Joe Ventures Fellow

Northwestern University’s Camryn Smith was named one of five new Little Joe Ventures Fellows at The Garage, an award designed to support promisingˌentrepreneurial-minded undergraduates.

Vakil Receives Spencer Grant to Study Engineering Students, Islamic Revolution

Northwestern University’s Sepehr Vakil received a $346,000 Spencer Foundation large research grant to study how the cultural, religious, and political context of late 20th century Iran shaped a premiere engineering university in the years leading up to the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Three Faculty Members Join National Academy of Education

Northwestern University Professors Megan Bang, Jonathan Guryan, and Brian Reiser were among 22 exceptional scholars elected to the prestigious National Academy of Education (NAEd) for their stellar contributions to education scholarship and research.

Armed With Faith: Is Gun Ownership a Religion?

Lilah Shapiro received a Provost Grant for Faculty Research in the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Arts to examine the relationship between gun owners and religion.

Six SESP Scholars Ranked Among Nation’s Most Influential

Six Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy faculty members were named to Education Week’s annual list of 200 influential academics in education policy, highlighting the impact of the School’s research on real-world issues.

Experts: New Resource Can Fight COVID-19 Misinformation

Professor David Rapp was among more than two dozen expert scientists from around the world who contributed to a new user-friendly handbook designed to help fight the spread of misinformation about the coronavirus vaccines.

Alumna Heather Foster: Making the World a Better Place

SESP alumna Heather Foster (BS03), a political strategist and expert on race and public policy issues, was among three alumni honored by the Northwestern University Black Alumni Association during its annual meeting.

Learning Sciences Graduate Student Receives CASEL Fellowship

Jessica Marshall, a graduate student in the learning sciences doctoral program, received a two-year ​pre-doctoral research fellowship with the Collaborative for Academic Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) to further her work creating more equitable ​civic ​learning environments​ across civic education​.

ELOC Program Receives Prestigious Accreditation

Northwestern University’s Executive Learning & Organizational Change (ELOC) program has been accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), the top certifying body in the continuing education industry.

Alumna Wins Knowles Fellowship

School of Education and Social Policy alumna Amber Luczak (MS20), a chemistry and physics teacher at Marshall Metro High School in Chicago, has received a five-year fellowship from the Knowles Science Teaching Foundation.

O'Rourke Develops Cyberlearning Technology

Northwestern University professors Eleanor O’Rourke and Haoqi Zhang have received a $750,000 National Science Foundation Cyberlearning grant to help beginning computer science students develop better learning strategies and diversify the field.

Alumnus Honored as Top High School Math Teacher in Nation

Alumnus Richard Agin (JD88, MS09) was one of 20 teachers in the nation–and the only one in Illinois–selected for a national education prize from the Mathematical Association of America American Mathematics Competitions (MAA AMC).

Coburn Wins Ver Steeg Research Fellowship

Education sociologist Cynthia Coburn received Northwestern University’s Dorothy Ann and Clarence L. Ver Steeg Distinguished Research Fellow award for her work improving relationships between education researchers and schools.

Jasmine Tucker Wins Campus Partner Award

School of Education and Social Policy staff member Jasmine Tucker was named an Outstanding Campus Partner from Northwestern’s annual Student Affairs Awards for supporting colleagues, uplifting students, and facilitating important conversations around social justice.

MSLOC Partners With Peking University to Study Global Workplace Inclusion

The Master’s in Learning and Organizational Change (MSLOC) program received a $3,000 international classroom partnering grant to deepen the global experience for Northwestern University students.

Pinkard's New Grant Helps Create STEAMbassadors

Northwestern University professor Nichole Pinkard (PhD98) received a CME Group Foundation grant to launch an ambitious STEAM mentor training program for young adults from underrepresented communities.

Kirabo Jackson Honored with Public Policy Prize

SESP's Kirabo (“Bo”) Jackson has been honored with the David N. Kershaw Award by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management for his path-breaking work on school finance reform and teacher effectiveness.

Faculty Member Wins National Science Foundation Award

Yang Qu received a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation to further his multidisciplinary work on teen stereotypes and adolescent development.

Cathy Coughlin STEM Scholars Honored at Virtual Celebration

Northwestern University's Center for Talent Development (CTD) recognized new and returning Cathy Coughlin STEM Scholars and their families during a recent virtual ceremony and celebration.

Student Activists Honored With Jazzy Johnson Waw-jashk Award

Northwestern University's Kimani Isaac (BS20) was honored with the new Jazzy Johnson Waw-jashk Student Award during a surprise Zoom meeting.

SESP Receives $4.5 Million Grant to Train Education Researchers

The School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) has received a five-year, $4.5 million grant from the Institute of Education Sciences to help train doctoral students in the art of rigorous and relevant education research.

Summer Grant Winners Announced

Three undergraduates received grants from The Alumnae of Northwestern University to complete 2020 summer internships, an especially noteworthy experience in the midst of a global pandemic.

Alumnae Help Open Doors

The summer before her junior year, Yajaira Gallegos (BS19) taught kindergartners in Athens, Greece, about Mexican traditions and culture as part of the country’s nationwide effort to prevent xenophobia in young children.

SESP Students Named Fulbright Finalists

Seven undergraduates, including Reena Burt, Elizabeth Cornman, Halimeda Cronin, Ayana Davis, Lillian Guo, Hayley Krolik, and Arzu Singh, were selected for Fulbright Student awards, which support a year of study or research, or projects in the creative or performing arts, or teaching in more than 155 countries worldwide.

Graduate Students Honored with Awards, Fellowships

Northwestern University alumna Sarah Crawford (MS20), who introduced mindfulness into her eighth-grade Chicago Public Schools’ classroom, received the graduate Alumni Leadership Award for her efforts prioritizing the social and emotional needs of children.

SESP Convocation 2020: A Time to Repair and Reimagine

There’s no going back to the world we once knew – and therein lies “enormous opportunity to make the world a better place,” SESP convocation speaker Sybil Madison told the Class of 2020 during the first virtual convocation celebration in Northwestern University history.

SESP Seniors Receive Fulbright Awards, Ryan Prize and More

School of Education and Social Policy seniors were recognized by the Northwestern University Division of Student Affairs with a wide range of fellowships and awards, including a School-record seven Fulbright finalist designations.

Honors Program: ‘One of the Most Rewarding Experiences of My Undergraduate Career’

Thirteen honors students were recognized for rigorous and thoughtful scholarship by Dean David Figlio and faculty members during the first online ceremony and poster presentation session in School history.

Spikes Receives Fellowship to Study News Literacy

Learning sciences doctoral student Michael Spikes received a Northwestern University Cognitive Science Advanced Fellowship to study and help others learn how to determine the credibility of a news story.

Scholar Athletes Earn Academic All-Big Ten Honors

Eight school of Education and Social Policy scholar athletes, including four from the women’s Big Ten champion basketball team, earned Academic All-Big Ten honors.

From West Cork to Northwestern: Spillane Joins American Academy of Arts and Sciences

School of Education and Social Policy Professor James Spillane, a first-generation high school and college student from rural Ireland, has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honorary societies.

Northwestern and Evanston: Working Together for Equity and Excellence

The Northwestern-Evanston Education Research Alliance (NEERA) received a $650,000 award to support new research projects related to racial and economic equality and expand the collaborative work between Northwestern University and Evanston schools.

Undergrads Named Little Joe Ventures Fellows

School of Education and Social Policy undergraduates Amy Drake and Christian Wade were among five students selected for the Little Joe Ventures (LJV) Fellowship in Entrepreneurship, a program designed by The Garage to support promising, entrepreneurially minded undergraduates across different schools at Northwestern.

Vossoughi Wins Ver Steeg Award

Northwestern University’s Shirin Vossoughi, assistant professor of learning sciences, has received The Graduate School’s 2019–20 Ver Steeg award for her outstanding work supporting and mentoring graduate students.

SESP Students Selected For Clinton Global Initiative

School of Education and Social Policy undergraduates Amy Drake and Hannah Caplan were among nine Northwestern University students selected for the 12th annual Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) program, a year-round curriculum that includes attending an international conference.

Coburn, Jackson Elected to National Academy of Education

Cynthia Coburn and economist Kirabo Jackson were among fifteen exceptional scholars elected to the esteemed National Academy of Education (NAEd) in recognition of their outstanding contributions to education research. Northwestern was the only institution to have two inductees this year.

Undergrads Secure Research Grants

Seven students received 2019-20 Academic Year Undergraduate Research Grants (AYURG) to study everything on issues of identity to the effectiveness of an Argentinian organization that supports women seeking abortions.

Two Faculty Books Named Finalists for PROSE Award

Northwestern University professors Paula Olszewski-Kubilius and Sally Nuamah and have been named finalists for the 2020 Professional and Scholarly Excellence (PROSE) Awards, which honor scholarly books, journals and electronic content.

SESP Psychologist Named ‘Rising Star’

Northwestern University developmental psychologist Yang Qu was named a 2020 Rising Star by the Association for Psychological Sciences for his interdisciplinary work examining the role of sociocultural contexts in adolescent development.

Emma Adam Named APS Fellow

Emma Adam, Edwina S. Tarry Professor of Education and Social Policy, was named a fellow of the Association for Psychological Science for her outstanding contributions to the field of developmental psychobiology of stress and sleep.

Six SESP Faculty Members Among Most Influential Academics

Six SESP faculty members were named to Education Week’s annual list of 200 influential academics in education policy, highlighting the School’s research eminence and influence.

Coburn Receives Honorary Doctorate

SESP's Cynthia Coburn received an honorary doctorate from Universite Catholique de Louvain (CU Louvain) for her research uncovering the complicated factors and relationships that affect how educational policy is implemented in urban school systems.

Bang, Vossoughi Win Alumnae Award

Megan Bang and Shirin Vossoughi have been named the 2019 recipients of The Alumnae of Northwestern University’s Award for Curriculum Development.

'Cats Lead B1G with School-Record 127 Fall Academic Honorees

Twenty-one School of Education and Social Policy scholar-athletes received Academic All-Big Ten honors for the fall season.

SESP Honors Faculty with Named Professorships

Five outstanding School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) faculty members were recently honored during Investiture ceremonies that highlighted Northwestern University’s commitment to hiring and retaining outstanding researchers and instructors.

Pinkard Receives Grant to Reduce Computer Science Deserts

Northwestern University professor Nichole Pinkard received a CME Group Foundation grant to expand her work increasing access to computer science for K-12 students who live in underserved areas of Chicago.

Ispa-Landa Named Associate Professor

Northwestern University education sociologist Simone Ispa-Landa received tenure and was promoted to associate professor of human development and social policy in the School of Education and Social Policy beginning Sept. 1, 2019.

SESP Faculty Members Join IPR

Tabitha Bonilla and Sally Nuamah have been named faculty fellows at Northwestern University’s Institute for Policy Research, an interdisciplinary community of scholars.

MSHE Alumna Receives Award For Excellence

Milvia Rodriguez (MSHE15) received the University of Chicago’s Marlene F. Richman Award for Excellence and Dedication in Service to Students, an honor given to just one person at the University each year.

Student Philanthropists Give Away Money

Northwestern University undergraduates gave away $22,500 each to the non-profits Storycatchers Theater and Chicago Hopes for Kids as part of the School of Education and Social Policy course Learning Philanthropy: Engaging in the Study and Practice of Giving.

CTD Director’s Book Wins National Honor

Paula Olszewski-Kubilius’s latest book, which details a talent development approach to gifted education, was named the 2019 Book of the Year by the National Association for Gifted Children.

SESP Boasts 26 B1G Ten Distinguished Scholars

Twenty-five percent of the school-record 86 Northwestern student-athletes who earned Big Ten Distinguished Scholar recognition are studying in the School of Education and Social Policy.

Northwestern Academy Graduates Third Class of College-Bound Seniors

Northwestern Academy for Chicago Public Schools (CPS) honored 65 CPS students destined for 30 prestigious colleges and universities across the country at its third annual senior celebration.

How Five SESP Students Landed Summer Internships

Five SESP undergraduates were selected for the 2019 Summer Internship Grant Program (SIGP), which provides students $3,000 for completing an unpaid summer internship, while simultaneously participating in a professional development program offered by Northwestern Career Advancement (NCA).

2018-19: A Year of Outstanding Research and Scholarship

Northwestern University will recognize exceptional graduating students Thursday, June 20 at Cahn Auditorium as part of Commencement week ceremonies. We round up all winners from the School of Education and Social Policy community during 2918-19, including undergraduates, graduate students, and alumni.

Record Number of SESP Students Named Fulbright Finalists

A school-record five School of Education and Social Policy students have been named finalists for the Fulbright student program, one of the most widely recognized and respected international exchange opportunities.

Athletes Shine on the Field, Mat

After leading Northwestern with 85 goals and breaking Northwestern's career goal record, Selena Lasota received Inside Lacrosse First Team All-American honors and is a finalist for the 2019 Honda Sports Award.

SESP Senior Headed to Springfield

Northwestern University senior Michael Deneroff of Bloomfield, Michigan, received the James H. Dunn Jr. Memorial Fellowship, which gives recent college graduates the chance to work in Illinois state government and learn about general governmental structure at the executive level.

Scholar Athletes Earn All-Big Ten Honors

More than 20 percent of the Northwestern University athletes who received at-large and spring Academic All-Big Ten honors are pursuing degrees in the School of Education and Social Policy, a community that emphasizes learning, leadership, and policy.

Graduate Student Wins Presidential Fellowship

Doctoral candidate Heather McCambly, who researches the forces behind educational inequalities in higher education, received Northwestern University’s most prestigious award for graduate students, the 2019 Presidential Fellowship.

MSED Student Wins Knowles Teaching Fellowship

Northwestern University’s Bradley Smith, a future high school math teacher who is pursuing his master’s degree through The Accelerated Master of Science in Education program, has received a five-year fellowship from the Knowles Science Teaching Foundation.

Destin, Cohen Receive Teaching Excellence Awards

Professor Mesmin Destin and instructor Danny M. Cohen (PhD11) were among five educators honored with 2019 University Teaching Awards for their energy and commitment to undergraduate education at Northwestern University.

Student Startup Places Sixth in Rice Competition

BrewBike, a student-run coffee company, brought home big honors — and funding — in the 2019 Rice Business Plan Competition hosted by Rice University.

Undergrad Sets Research Grant Record

Undergraduates Jordyn Ricard and Jared Zvonar received summer research grants from Northwestern University’s Office of Undergraduate Research for projects related to mental health and history, respectively.

Former U.S. Secretary of Education To Address Class of 2019

Arne Duncan, the unusually-candid U.S. Secretary of Education under President Barack Obama, will address the undergraduate class of 2019 during SESP Convocation ceremonies. Shirley Welsh Ryan, a 2019 recipient of an honorary degree from Northwestern University, is scheduled to speak at the graduate ceremony.

Destin, Cohen Honored With University Teaching Awards

Professor Mesmin Destin and instructor Danny M. Cohen (PhD11) were honored with 2019 University Teaching Awards for their outstanding efforts and dedication to undergraduate education at Northwestern University.

Rosenbaum Receives Career Award – But Far From Slowing Down

James Rosenbaum’s ability to cultivate talented researchers and his passion for tackling pressing social issues recently earned him the Elizabeth G. Cohen Distinguished Career in Applied Sociology of Education Award from the American Education Research Association.

Alumni Honored With Golden Apple Award

Alumni Sara Blair Winter-Rosenberg (MS12) and Corey Winchester (BS10) received a welcome surprise in their respective classrooms when Golden Apple Foundation officials – along with colleagues, family, and friends -- flooded in to announce they’d won 2019 Excellence in Teaching and Leadership awards.

Sepehr Vakil Wins CAREER Award

Northwestern University’s Sepehr Vakil received the Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the agency’s most prestigious honor for promising young academics.

Three Alumni Earn Golden Apple Distinction

Three School of Education and Social Policy alumni were named finalists for the 2019 Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching, which recognizes some of the most talented educators in the state.

Diane Schanzenbach Elected to National Academy of Education

Economist Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach, director of the Institute for Policy Research (IPR), has been elected to the esteemed National Academy of Education (NAEd) in recognition of her outstanding research contributions on education issues.

Undergrads Win Research Grants

A school-record 14 School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) students received Academic Year Undergraduate Research Grants (AYURG) to study everything from female entrepreneurship and empowerment the use of technology to discipline students.

Five SESP Faculty Named to Edu-Scholar List

Five School of Education and Social Policy scholars were named to Education Week’s “Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings,” which recognize 200 of the most influential academics in education policy.

Worsley Recognized for Diversity, Inclusion Efforts

Marcelo Worsley will receive the 2019 Daniel Linzer Award for Faculty Excellence in Diversity and Equity for his innovative teaching and efforts to bring STEM education to all, regardless of physical ability.

Madison Named Civic Leadership Academy Fellow

Sybil Madison has been named to the Civic Leadership Academy at the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy, a program for promising leaders in non-profit organizations and local government agencies within Chicago and Cook County.

Wallace Receives Alumnae Graduate Fellowship

Alexzandra Wallace has been awarded the 2019 Alumnae Graduate Fellowship by The Alumnae of Northwestern University, which is given to full-time graduate students and promising young scholars who have shown qualities such as scholarship, leadership, community service, professional experience, and financial need.

Mesmin Destin Wins Early Career Award

Northwestern University psychologist Mesmin Destin, whose research emphasizes the key role socioeconomic status plays in the study of human behavior, was recognized by the American Psychological Association (APA) for his stellar work in the early stages of his career.

Wilensky Named Lorraine Morton Professor

Northwestern University’s Uri Wilensky, a pioneer in learning technology and computational modeling, has been named the Lorraine Morton Professor of Learning Sciences and Computer Science, David Figlio, Dean of the School of Education and Social Policy (SESP), announced.