A Student-Centered Leader Says Farewell to SDSU

By Michael Klitzing

Lisa McCully comes from a family of educators. Her parents — part of a huge influx of teachers recruited to San Diego in the 1960s to meet the needs of a growing population — taught in San Diego Unified School District for decades. 

The thing is, McCully never envisioned that life for herself. 

“Did I think I was going to follow their footsteps in the field of education?” she said. “No. I didn't have a clue until I landed here.” 

Funny how things turn out. 

COE DIFFERENCE MAKERS: Maldonado Exemplifies a Collaborative Spirit

By Michael Klitzing

An important fact you need to know about Saúl I. Maldonado is that personal plaudits aren’t really their thing. The assistant professor in San Diego State University’s Department of English Language and English Learner Education (DLE) is known for their selflessness, collegiality and enthusiasm. 

“U is only one letter in the universe,” says Maldonado, who uses they/them pronouns. “I take meaning in my colleagues and in my community. And I'm grateful.” 

Postsecondary Educational Leadership Alumna Named Vice President at LMU

By COE News Team

  

San Diego State University College of Education alumna Emelyn A. dela Peña (’98, ’09) was recently named Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Loyola Marymount University. A graduate of our postsecondary educational leadership program, dela Peña had previously served as Stanford University’s associate vice provost for inclusion, community and integrative learning. 

JDP Alumnus Sean Hauze Spotlighted by ABC 10News San Diego

By COE News Team

    

Sean Hauze, an alumnus of San Diego State University's Joint Ph.D. program in Education with Claremont Graduate University, was recently interviewed by ABC 10News San Diego about the launch of SDSU's Virtual Immersive Teaching and Learning Research Center (VITAL). Hauze currently serves as SDSU's Director of Instructional Technology Services.

Former JDP Director Rafaela Santa Cruz Leaves a Lasting Legacy

By Michael Klitzing

In a corridor of Lamden Hall, just outside the office of the Joint Ph.D. Program in Education (JDP) between San Diego State University and Claremont Graduate University, is a graphic that’s impossible to miss. Hanging in a display case is a postered map of the U.S., showing the location of JDP graduates who have attained higher education faculty positions. 

The alumni span from coast to coast and beyond. 

Online Education Master’s Program Draws #8 National Ranking

By Jeff Ristine and Michael Klitzing

San Diego State University’s online master of arts in teaching (MAT) is again among the top 10 online education programs in the nation, according to a new ranking by U.S. News & World Report. 

The No. 8 ranking in the 2022 Best Online Programs, released Jan. 25, is up seven spots from the previous year’s list and marks the second top-10 ranking in three years for the College of Education program. 

Eric R. Felix Honored as Emerging Scholar by National Publication

Photo by Ian Ordonio.

By Michael Klitzing

For Eric R. Felix (’10), being named a 2022 Emerging Scholar by the magazine Diverse: Issues in Higher Education is a significant achievement. The national publication’s editorial team annually recognizes just 15 outstanding scholars under the age of 40 for their early-career impact.

But it’s how the honor came about that gets the assistant professor in San Diego State University’s Department of Administration, Rehabilitation and Postsecondary Education (ARPE) on the verge of tearing up. 

Pair of Alumnae Make Their Mark as San Diego County Counselors of the Year

Christine Araki and Nicole Roman.

By Michael Klitzing

Christine Araki (’93 Community-Based Block) works on the cutting edge of education in the Sweetwater Union High School District’s first all-virtual school. Nicole Roman (’10 school counseling) is leading data-driven systems change at Poway middle schools to prevent at-risk students from falling through the cracks. 

The pair of San Diego State University alumnae recently were named two of three recipients of the 2022 San Diego County Counselor of the Year award. Both expressed surprise and satisfaction with the honor, presented by the San Diego County Office of Education for the past three years.