As early as her freshman year, Neag School junior Emily Baseler ’17 (ED), ’18 MA has been coaching college students to be exceptional teachers and leaders through UConn Jumpstart, a national early education organization.

For Kaitlin Leonard, finding the time or the money to pursue a Ph.D. had never seemed a realistic possibility. Thanks to support from a new national consortium, Leonard is now one of 28 Ph.D. candidates in special education to receive a full four years of funding.

One of two National Center for Leadership in Intensive Intervention student scholars currently at UConn, Leonard is joined by fellow student scholar Sarah Wilkinson; a third slot at the Storrs campus is currently open to applications from prospective candidates.

For nearly 20 years, Valerie Pichette served as executive assistant at UConn’s Neag School of Education – first with Dean Richard Schwab and later with former Dean Thomas DeFranco – as well as a longtime mentor to innumerable students and friend to many colleagues campus-wide. Pichette passed away on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015. In remembrance of her longtime dedication to the University, the Neag School announces the launch of a new endowed scholarship in her name, the Valerie J. Pichette Scholarship Fund.

UConn students across the University, including those from the Neag School of Education, are gaining valuable experiences during summer internships. In the the measurement, evaluation, and assessment (MEA) program at the Neag School, several doctoral students spent the past few months test-driving their future careers, working hand in hand with such prestigious organizations as the College Board, the Law School Admissions Council, and the U.S. Governmental Accountability Office.

Here are news and notes from our alumni, faculty, staff, and students. We are proud of all the amazing accomplishments by our Neag family. If you have an accolade to share, we want to hear from you! Please send any news items (and story ideas) to neag-communications@uconn.edu

Neag School’s Rachel Hill ’17 (ED) is one of the premier soccer forwards in the country. The sport management student leads the UConn women’s soccer team in scoring and was on the U.S. U-20 National Team in 2014.

This fall, the Neag School is joined by the first group of Dean’s Doctoral Scholars selected from across the country – from Puerto Rico to New Orleans to New York – with such diverse interests as neuropsychology research and multicultural education. Here, Spotlight offers a brief introduction to each member of the inaugural class.

The Neag School is actively seeking applications for its second cohort of Dean’s Doctoral Scholars. Individuals accepted into this exclusive program for the 2016-17 academic year will have the opportunity to earn a Ph.D. with four years of full funding.

Elementary education major and Degnan Family Scholarship award recipient Symone James ’16 (ED) has one goal in mind: to be able to relate to every student.

Below are news and notes from our alumni, faculty, staff, and students. We are proud of all the amazing accomplishments by our Neag family. If you have an accolade to share, we want to hear from you! Please send any news items (and story ideas) to neag-communications@uconn.edu