Research and Impact

A photo of the exterior of the Historic Russell School in Durham, North Carolina.

Aug 17, 2026

College of Education Faculty Share Significance of Durham’s Historic Russell School Nationwide through Virtual Tour

Place-based learning can help put history in context for learners, adding layers that may not be possible through reading documents alone. However, it is often difficult and cost prohibitive for educators to actually plan trips to physical locations. Professor Kevin Oliver, Associate Angela Wiseman, Associate Teaching Professor Micha Jeffries and Assistant Professor Amato Nocera are bridging this gap through their work digitally showcasing the Historic Russell School.

Aug 14, 2026

Design & Pitch Challenges in STEM Named Best of STEM Awards Finalist

The Design & Pitch Challenges in STEM project, led by NC State College of Education Associate Professors of Mathematics Education Erin Krupa and Robin Anderson, has been named a finalist in the 2026 International Society for Technology in Education’ Best of STEM Awards in the Best of STEM for CTE Champions: Invention Education category.

Jul 8, 2026

Study from Associate Professor Jackie Relyea Wins International Literacy Association Outstanding Article Award

An article co-authored by NC State College of Education Associate Professor of Literacy Education Jackie Relyea has received an International Literacy Association Outstanding Article Award.

NC State was ranked No. 1 in NC, #22 in the U.S. and #64 in the world in U.S. News' Best Global Universities: Education and Educational Research subject rankings

Jun 16, 2026

U.S. News Global Rankings: NC State #1 in NC, #22 in US and #64 in World in Education and Educational Research

U.S. News & World Report ranks NC State University #64 in the world in the education and educational research category in its 2026-2027 Best Global Universities Subject rankings, making it the top-ranked university in North Carolina in the field of study. Among all colleges in the U.S., NC State ranks #22.

Three students part of the SPARC consortium in the College of Education stand with Associate Professor Jamie Pearson.

May 27, 2026

College of Education Doctoral Students Prepare to Become Leaders in Special Education through Participation in SPARC Consortium

Three students in the NC State College of Education have recently completed the first year of their doctoral studies through funding provided by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) to establish the Special Education Teacher Education Policy, Practice, and Research Doctoral Training Consortium (SPARC), one of two consortiums funded by OSEP.

Lam Pham sits at a table with other researches during a panel discussion.

May 22, 2026

Research to Inform NC K-12 Education Policy Event Brings Together Multiple Organizations, Researchers to Bridge Research and Practice

Over 80 education researchers from across the UNC System came together on May 13, 2026, to discuss ways to better bridge research and policy to inform North Carolina policymakers at the Research to Inform NC K-12 Education Policy convening. The event was born out of a conversation that NC State College of Education Paola Sztajn had with several colleagues that identified opportunities for stronger partnerships and additional opportunities for scholars to conduct impactful research.

May 15, 2026

Assistant Professor Amato Nocera Selected as National Academy of Education/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellow

Amato Nocera, an assistant professor in NC State’s College of Education, has been selected to join the prestigious National Academy of Education (NAEd)/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellows program.

A principal speaking in front of students

May 14, 2026

NC Collaboratory: Understanding School Leadership Through the Principal Working Conditions Survey

Over at North Carolina State University, Timothy Drake, PhD, is leading efforts to address this need through the development of North Carolina’s first Principal Working Conditions Survey (PWCS). Recognizing both the success of the TWCS and the absence of a comparable tool for school leaders, Dr. Drake partnered with the North Carolina Collaboratory to launch the initiative.

Alumni Distinguished Graduate Professor and Head of the Department of Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development Joy Gaston Gayles

May 13, 2026

Department Head, Alumni Distinguished Graduate Professor Joy Gaston Gayles Named Chair-elect of NC State’s Research Leadership Academy

Joy Gaston Gayles, head of the Department of Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development and an Alumni Distinguished Graduate Professor of Higher Education in NC State’s College of Education, has been named chair-elect of NC State’s Research Leadership Academy (RLA).

May 6, 2026

Goodnight Distinguished Professor in Education Maria Coady Re-elected to NABE Executive Board, Becomes President of ASPIRA Association

Maria Coady, the Goodnight Distinguished Professor in Education in NC State’s College of Education, has been re-elected to the executive board of the National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE).