10 Highlights from the College of Education in 2023

From awards for our alumni, students, faculty and staff to the creation of a new strategic plan and a record-breaking year in research, NC State’s College of Education had another extraordinary year in 2023. Take a look at 10 highlights from the past year below:

1. We launched a new strategic plan.

This fall, the College of Education launched our Strategic Plan: 2023-2030 based on four focus areas—innovation, interdisciplinarity, inclusiveness and impact—that will guide our research, teaching and service in the years to come.

2. We announced three new Interdisciplinary Research Hubs.

As part of the college’s new strategic plan, the College of Education in December announced three Interdisciplinary Research Hubs designed to bring scholars from various backgrounds together to generate creative and innovative solutions to address pressing educational issues, including those related to STEM, literacy and equity. These three hubs will begin in the spring:

• Fostering Learning, Identity, and Participation within Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (FLIP-STEM)
• Systems for Un-correlating Poverty and Reading (SUPR) in North Carolina Schools
• Well-Being and Equity in Rural Communities (WERC)

3. We celebrated the profession of education.

Through a variety of events and engagement opportunities, the College of Education lifted up current and future educators for the impact they have had in K-12 schools and higher education. The college also brought them together for professional development and celebrated those who are beginning their journey to become future educators.

4. Our faculty were recognized with more than a dozen awards and honors.

Our faculty received numerous national honors related to their teaching, leadership and research, and they were elected to prominent positions for organizations in their fields.

Assistant Professor Robin Anderson Receives NC State’s Goodnight Early Career Innovators Award
Associate Professor Sue Barcinas Receives Imogene Oaks Award for Outstanding Research and is Elected Chair of Commission for Professors of Adult Education
Associate Professor Lisa Bass Named President-elect of the University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA)
Professor Meg Blanchard Receives Alumni Association Distinguished Graduate Professorship Award
Goodnight Distinguished Professor in Educational Equity Maria Coady Elected to the National Association for Bilingual Education Executive Board
Associate Professor Anna Egalite, Assistant Professor Lam Pham Receive 2022 AERA Outstanding Reviewer Award
Teaching Professor Valerie Faulkner Receives First-ever Impact Award from NC Department of Public Instruction’s Exceptional Children Division
Professor Bonnie Fusarelli Wins 2022 Governor James E. Holshouser, Jr. Award for Excellence in Public Service.
Associate Dean Karen Hollebrands Selected to Join 2023 Cohort of ACC Academic Leaders Network
Belk Center Executive Director, W. Dallas Herring Professor Audrey Jaeger Named 2024 University of North Carolina System Faculty Fellow
Professor Carla Johnson Elected Co-chair of AERA Science Teaching and Learning Special Interest Group
Associate Professor Erin Krupa Named a 2022-23 University Faculty Scholar
Distinguished Professor Hollylynne Lee Receives 2023 William D. Warde Statistics Education Award
Professor Florence Martin Named Inaugural Association of Educational Communications and Technology Fellow
Associate Professor Paula McAvoy Receives NC State’s 2022-23 Outstanding Teacher Award
Assistant Professor Jamie Pearson Receives Inaugural Research Improving the Educational Access, Experiences and Outcomes of BIPOC Students with Disabilities Award
Associate Professor Angela Wiseman Selected to Join 2023-2024 Class of Provost’s Faculty Fellows

5. Our alumni won top honors.

Our alumni work in all 115 school districts across North Carolina as well as in community colleges and universities across the state and nation. This year, they were recognized with awards for their teaching, leadership and scholarship, including Teacher, Principal and Counselor of the Year awards. 

6. Our students were honored for their outstanding work.

Our extraordinary students are making an impact in their field before they even graduate, receiving awards for their work and being selected for fellowships and opportunities across the country.

7. We prepared an additional 517 educators for North Carolina and beyond.

We graduated 368 students in May and 149 in December who will become teachers, principals, counselors, community college leaders, educational psychologists, policymakers, researchers and more. They join a network of over 17,000 alumni who have built a reputation as transformational educators and leaders.

8. We set a college record in grant funding awarded.

Researchers in the College of Education were awarded $42,138,265 million in grant funding to support 66 projects during the 2022-23 academic year, setting a record for the largest total dollar amount awarded to the college in a single year. Additionally, the college reported more than $16.9 million in research expenditures in 2022-23, an increase of 81% over the past decade. 

“The record-breaking amount of grant funding our faculty received during the past year is a testament to the importance and extraordinary impact of their research,” said Associate Dean for Research and Innovation Karen Hollebrands. “Their projects are improving outcomes for students across North Carolina and beyond, from pre-K through adulthood, and advancing teaching, learning, leading and belonging.”

9. Our college was nationally recognized.

The cumulative and collective efforts of our faculty, staff and students was recognized this year as the College of Education received numerous national awards for our work in STEM, principal and teacher preparation and more.

College of Education Ranked #31 in US News’ 2024 Best Graduate Schools; Educational Administration Ranked #1 in NC
College of Education Receives CAEP 2023 Frank Murray Leadership Recognition for Continuous Improvement
College of Education Recognized as a STEM School of Excellence by the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association
NC State College of Education Ranked #30 in U.S. News’ Best Online Programs Rankings

10. Our students continued to engage in unmatched experiences.

From study abroad to mentorship and scholarship opportunities, our College of Education students participated e in a variety of opportunities that will help better prepare them to become extraordinary educators.

• Holmes Scholars Program Creates Opportunities for Mentorship, Collaboration
• Mission Makers Explore Equity-related Issues in Education
• We Teach for NC Spring Break Trip Opens Window Into Education in Eastern North Carolina
• Elementary Education Majors Complete Student Teaching in South Africa
• Mission Makers Explore Equity-related Issues in Education