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Bridging Divides Through Education: Nina Worley ’26 Awarded Smith Scholarship

Nina Worley ’26 spent her four years at �鶹��Ƶ���� studying and researching education policy in the United States and abroad. She co-founded a tutoring program that matches �鶹��Ƶ���� students with struggling young readers and has been a passionate advocate for educational equity. Worley has been named a W. Thomas Smith Scholar and will spend the next year pursuing a master’s degree in Conflict Transformation and Social Justice at Queen’s University Belfast.

Seeking Justice: Smith Recipients Advocate for Educational Equity, Disability Rights

�鶹��Ƶ���� has awarded the W. Thomas Smith Scholarship to Rui Rui Bleifuss ’26 and Nina Worley ’26. The scholarship, modeled on those such as the Rhodes and Fulbright, pays for a year of graduate study abroad. Bleifuss, a disability justice advocate, will pursue a master’s degree in Humanitarian Policy and Practice at University College London. Worley, an advocate for educational equity, will pursue a master’s degree in Conflict Transformation and Social Justice at Queen’s University Belfast.

Reaching Out, Drawing In: Spencer-Weinstein Award Winners Lead by Building Connections and Expanding Access

Honoring leadership in justice and access: �鶹��Ƶ���� awards the Spencer-Weinstein Prize to Nora Fenn Gilman ’26 and Jasmine Peters for their transformative community work. Read more.

Experiencing Deaf Language and Culture in Far Away Places

�鶹��Ƶ���� senior Brooke Lackey ’26, a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA), grew up in a close, supportive community where her family felt comfortable and communicated easily through American Sign Language. As a 2026 Thomas J. Watson Fellow, she plans to spend the next year learning other sign languages while exploring the challenges facing Deaf people around the world and seeking ways to create more caring communities.

Two �鶹��Ƶ���� Students Awarded Watson Fellowships

The Watson Foundation has named �鶹��Ƶ���� seniors Brooke Lackey and Neve Rauscher as fellows in its 58th class of Thomas J. Watson Fellows. Lackey will study sign language and Deaf culture in several countries. Rauscher will explore how communities adapt to climate warming and changing water patterns.

Many Bright Lights: �鶹��Ƶ���� Celebrates Spring Convocation

�鶹��Ƶ���� celebrated Spring Convocation on April 14, 2026, gathering to spotlight student achievement—from the academic to the athletic to the artistic—and the faculty and staff who support their work. 

Ask a Wildcat: Brant Simmons ’28

Meet Brant Simmons ’28, a �鶹��Ƶ���� double major in educational studies and gender and sexuality studies. Discover how Brant has explored experiential learning through research on educational equity, study abroad programs in Northern Ireland and Denmark, and his life as a Bonner Scholar and "Mugger" at Nummit.

Want to Bet? A Closer Look at Legal Sports Betting

�鶹��Ƶ���� Prof. Kevin McElrath and his students tackle the social and economic consequences of the sports betting boom, examining everything from addiction rates and masculinity to the role of the online attention economy in this timely course.

DC Takes on D.C.: �鶹��Ƶ���� Seniors Present Educational Studies Research at AEFP

Four �鶹��Ƶ���� seniors reflect on presenting their undergraduate research at the annual Association for Education Finance and Policy (AEFP) conference in Washington, D.C., where they also networked with alumni and attended two men’s basketball games. Learn more.

Spring Convocation Celebrates Innovation, Leadership, Excellence, Community

�鶹��Ƶ���� celebrated Spring Convocation on April 17, 2025, highlighting academic, athletic and artistic achievements, as well as leadership, character and community service.

�鶹��Ƶ���� Named Top Fulbright Producer—Again

For the 10th consecutive year, the U.S. State Department has named �鶹��Ƶ���� a top producer for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. The nation’s flagship international exchange program funds teaching, research and study abroad. 

Colleges and universities are bracing for what’s to come when control of the executive branch changes hands in January. �鶹��Ƶ���� Professor Chris Marsicano outlines some of the hot button education issues that will occupy the next administration.

With Book Bans on the Rise, Prof Examines Importance of Banned Books Week

Book bans as a form of censorship have a long and storied history. A �鶹��Ƶ���� prof examines the motives behind book bans and their unintended effects. Read more.

Reconnecting to Self While Exploring Educational Systems in Northern Ireland

Nguyễn Mậu Đức Bình ’27 reflects on his summer trip to Northern Ireland with the Educational Studies Department where he explored the impact of division on educational policies. 

Purpose, Connections & Growth: How Our Students Spend Their Summers

This summer 2024, �鶹��Ƶ���� students were awarded $2 million for experiential learning opportunities including internships, education away, community-based learning and undergraduate research. Learn about their experiences in these student reflections. 

Spring Convocation Celebrates Joy, Excellence, Achievement

On April 11, �鶹��Ƶ����’s 2024 Spring Convocation celebrated the academic, athletic, artistic and many other achievements of its students, and recognized some faculty and staff members who contribute to their success. Read more.

Public School Student, Policy Expert, Parent

Brittany Murray’s life in public education started as a student, she’s now a public policy expert and the parent of four children in public school. Murry, the Malcolm O. Partin Assistant Professor of Educational Studies and Political Science at �鶹��Ƶ����, specializes in K-12 public education policy.

Enchanting Education on the Emerald Isle: Pilot Program Kicks Off

�鶹��Ƶ���� students spent five summer weeks immersed in the culture, history, politics and educational system of Northern Ireland. The pilot program launched �鶹��Ƶ���� in Northern Ireland, a new study abroad option. 

A Day in the Life of Nummit, �鶹��Ƶ����’s On-Campus Coffee Shop

Sydney Schertz ’24 captures a day in the life of Nummit, �鶹��Ƶ����’s on-campus coffee shop, through her camera lens. Learn more in her photo essay. 

Maddie Buitendorp ’22 on Community, C2I and the Next Challenge

Maddie Buitendorp ’22 reflects on her �鶹��Ƶ���� experience and an unusual silver lining during the pandemic – her work with the College Crisis Initiative. Learn more.