San Diego State University | College of Education
2026
Yearbook and Impact Report
A Story of Resilience
Contents
03 Message from the Dean 04 College of Education at a Glance 06 Departments and Academic Programs 08 Faculty Excellence 10 Impact and Innovation 12 In Focus: Class of 2026 14 Student Spotlights 18 Alumni 20 Philanthropy 22 In Focus: Rankings Milestone 23 Leadership
Editorial Michael Klitzing, KT Devera
Photography Joshua Arguelles, Emely Luna and Sarah Wilkins
Design Lia Dearborn Montezuma Publishing
Front and back covers: SDSU’s Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union. Photo by Joshua Arguelles. This page: Luis Anaya, a Sicangu Lakota-ordained chief and cultural advisor for Unci Intertribal, speaks to bilingual teaching credential students in January 2026 at Louis A. Stelzer County Park. The experience was an exploration of Native culture that encouraged students to deeply examine the community contexts in which they will soon be teaching. Photo by Sarah Wilkins.
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Message from the Dean A Story of Resilience Reflecting on the 2025-26 academic year in the San Diego State University College of Education, I am amazed by both the momentous challenges we’ve faced and the unmistakable resilience we’ve shown. The challenges have been all too real. At the state level, we’ve faced budget cutbacks that limit our financial flexibility. At the federal level, we’ve continued to navigate ever-changing priorities and policies that have hampered our research and training initiatives. And yet, our dedication and tradition of excellence remain. This year, our students, faculty, and staff celebrated our highest-ever national ranking (#41) from U.S. News & World Report. This is just the latest milestone in a steady climb we’ve been on for the past five years (see Rankings, Page 22). Meanwhile, our faculty continue to advance knowledge and provide services that impact lives, securing more than $26 million in grants and contracts. In September, the Interwork Institute team of Mark Tucker and Chaz Compton secured one of the biggest grants in SDSU history as the federal government awarded $30 million over five years to create a technical assistance center that will support vocational rehabilitation agencies nationwide (See Impact and Innovation, Page 10). We also take great pride in the difference makers we send out into the world. In May — just days after we celebrated more than 1,500 graduating students at Commencement — our community was rocked by a horrible attack on the Islamic Center of San Diego. As we grieved, we were heartened to see alumna Halima Said answer the call, stepping up to provide mental health services for a community struggling in the wake of tragedy (See Alumni, Page 18). That — in spite of the challenges — is why we do what we do. That is what resilience looks like.
Y. Barry Chung, Ph.D. Dean, College of Education
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2026 Yearbook and Impact Report
College of Education at a Glance Rankings
#41
2026 U.S. News & World Report ranking of Best Education Schools nationwide.
Program/Specialty Rankings
#5 #10
Online education Master’s programs Online Master’s in curriculum and instruction programs
Faculty
306 Position
Tenured/tenured track faculty members, Faculty Early Retirement Program (FERP) annuitants and lecturers. Numbers from Spring 2026 semester.
Lecturers
73.2% (224)
Tenured/ Tenure-Track
23.5% (72)
FERP Annuitants 3.2% (10)
Gender
The tower of SDSU’s Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union.
Female
69.9% (214)
Male
29.4% (90)
Nonbinary
0.6% (2)
DLE Associate Professor Melissa A. Navarro Martell (left) with Professor and Chair Sera J. Hernández.
Race/ Ethnicity
White
50.9% (156)
Latinx
27.1% (83)
Black
10.1% (31)
Asian/ Pacific Islander
7.5% (22)
Two or More
1.9% (6)
Not Specified
1.9% (6)
Native American/ 0.6% (2) Alaskan
6)
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Students
4,118 Program Type
Gender
Race/ Ethnicity
Total enrollment from Fall 2025 semester. Includes students with majors in other colleges who are enrolled in at least one COE minor. Bachelor's
39.2% (1,617)
Minor
21.2% (874)
Master's
19.9% (820)
Credential
12.8% (530)
Doctoral
4.6% (192)
Ed.S.
1.4% (58)
Advanced Certificate
0.6% (27)
Female
82% (3,377)
Male
17% (701)
Nonbinary
0.8% (34)
Unknown/ Not Stated
0.1% (6)
Latinx
47% (1,935)
White
28.9% (1,192)
Asian/ Pacific Islander
9.7% (407)
Two or More
6% (248)
Black
4.3% (179)
Unknown/ Not Stated
3.3% (134)
International
0.6% (25)
Native American/ Alaskan
0.2% (7)
Child development master’s student Elizabeth Gately presents her research at the 2026 SDSU Student Symposium.
Orientation Identities and Expressions
16.8%
Grants and Contracts
$26.8 million
Philanthropy
$10.2
Total funding in grants and contracts awarded to College of Education faculty.
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691 COE students (16.8% of the student population) selfreported as identifying as LGBTQ+.
million 5
Philanthropic support made possible by alumni, faculty, staff, foundations, corporations and friends.
2026 Yearbook and Impact Report
Departments and Academic Programs The SDSU College of Education offers a comprehensive range of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs across six departments, one school and a joint doctoral program. Our programs span the full spectrum of education — from early childhood development to leadership in higher education — preparing students to make meaningful, lasting impacts in diverse communities.
Departments The Department of Dual Language and English Learner Education (DLE) prepares students to: • Promote biliteracy and global citizenship through bilingual education and research • Become teachers, leaders and advocates for social justice, equity and inclusion • Educate future American Sign Language teachers, leaders and community members
The School of Teacher Education (STE) prepares students to: • Become elementary and secondary teachers • Use inquiry-based teaching to promote critical thinking and student success The Department of Administration, Rehabilitation and Postsecondary Education (ARPE) prepares students to: • Lead in community colleges and other higher education settings (academic, student affairs and administration) • Serve as rehabilitation counselors, including pathways to California clinical counseling licensure
The Department of Educational Leadership (EDL) prepares students to: • Serve in administrative roles in elementary and secondary schools • Lead at the district and executive levels in educational organizations The Department of Special Education (SPED) prepares students to: • Educate and support children and youth with disabilities and their families • Lead in specialized roles such as program specialist or board-certified behavior analyst
The Department of Child and Family Development (CFD) prepares students to: • Support the social and emotional development of children, youth and families • Pursue careers in counseling, teaching, social work, early childhood mental health, behavioral support, law and administration
The Joint Doctoral Program in Education with Claremont Graduate University (JDP) prepares students to: • Research democratic schooling, social justice and equitable education • Transform educational systems that serve diverse and historically underserved communities
The Department of Counseling and School Psychology (CSP) prepares students to: • Work as school counselors, therapists and school psychologists • Lead initiatives to promote emotional wellness and healthy school climates
Centers and Institutes Center for Achieving Black Wellness and Anti-Racist Education
Center for Teaching Critical Thinking & Creativity (CTCTC)
(CABWARE)
Center for Visual Literacies
Child and Adolescent Services Research Center (CASRC)
Chinese Cultural Center (CCC)
Center for Equity and Biliteracy Education Research (CEBER)
Institute for Transformative Education (ITE)
Center for Community Counseling & Engagement (CCCE)
Interwork Institute
Center for Equity and Postsecondary Attainment (CEPA)
National Center for Urban School Transformation (NCUST)
Center for Excellence in Early Development (CEED)
SDSU Literacy Center
Center for Research in Math & Science Education (CRMSE)
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New Programs Launching This Fall The College of Education will launch four new programs in Fall 2026 after recently gaining approval from the University Senate. They include minors in American Sign Language (ASL) and bilingual education, an elementary and special education dual credential and a bilingual school psychology advanced certificate. Lectuer and ASL Program Coordinator Brad Cohen teaches the course ASL 101..
Academic Programs Doctoral & Educational Specialist Degrees
Undergraduate Majors & Minors • American Sign Language (ASL) Minor • Bilingual Education Minor • Child Development (B.S.) • Child Development Minor • Counseling and Social Change Minor • Cultural Proficiency Minor • Leadership Studies (B.S.) • Leadership Studies Minor • Liberal Studies (B.A.)
• Community College/Postsecondary Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) • Joint Doctoral Program SDSU/Claremont Graduate University (Ph.D.) • PK-12 School Leadership (Ed.D.) • PK-12 School Leadership with Science and Math Focus (Ed.D.) • School Psychology (Ed.S.)
Teaching Credentials
Master’s Degrees
• Elementary and Bilingual Dual Credential • Elementary and Special Education Dual Credential • Multiple Subject • Multiple Subject - Bilingual • Single Subject • Single Subject - Bilingual • Special Education: Early Childhood • Special Education: Mild to Moderate Support Needs • Special Education: Extensive Support Needs
• Child Development (M.S.) • Early Childhood and Family Clinical Counseling (M.S. and LPCC) • Counseling (Online-Hybrid) (M.A. in Education) • Dual Language and English Learner Education (M.A.) • Elementary Education and Secondary Education (M.A.) • Elementary and Secondary Education with a Focus in Mathematics and Science Education (M.A.) • Language Arts Education (M.A.) • Marriage and Family Therapy (M.S.) • Multicultural Community Counseling and Social Justice Education (CBB) (M.S. and LPCC) • PK-12 Educational Leadership (M.A.) • PK-12 Educational Leadership/ Preliminary Administrative Services Credential Combo Program (Online) (M.A.) • Postsecondary Educational Leadership and Student Affairs (M.A.) • Reading and Literacy Education (M.A.) • Rehabilitation Counseling (M.S.) • School Counseling plus Pupil Personnel Services Credential (M.S. and PPS) • School Psychology (M.S.) • Special Education with Behavior Analysis and Autism Concentration (M.A.) • Special Education with Early Childhood Concentration (M.A.) • Special Education with Mild to Moderate Support Needs Concentration (M.A.) • Special Education with Extensive Support Needs Concentration (M.A.) • Teacher Leadership (via SDSU Global Campus) (M.A.)
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Advanced Credentials • Administrative Services • Reading and Literacy Leadership Specialist • Special Education Induction Program (Clear Credential)
Advanced Certificates & Added Authorizations • Behavior Analysis • Bilingual Added Authorization • Bilingual School Psychology • Cognitive Disabilities • Co-Occurring Disorders • Dual Language for Academic Literacy • Early Childhood Special Education Added Authorization • EC-TEaMH: Early Childhood Transdisciplinary Education and Mental Health • English Language Development for Academic Literacy • Psychiatric Rehabilitation • Reading and Literacy Added Authorization • Rehabilitation Technology • Restorative Justice Practice and Trauma-Informed Care • Special Education Early Childhood • Spanglish Decolonial Healing
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Faculty Excellence Kraemer Receives COE’s Distinguished Faculty Award Professor Bonnie Kraemer was honored as the College of Education’s recipient of the Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Faculty Contributions — one of the university’s highest faculty honors. Kraemer, whose research focuses on better serving transition-age youth with autism, serves as chair of the Department of Special Education. In her 21 years in the department, she has been an integral part of its programmatic growth as it works to meet an ever-growing community need for qualified special education teachers. Kraemer served as coordinator of what is now known as the extensive support needs credential program for
Professor Bonnie Kraemer (center, with trophy) celebrates with her colleagues from the Department of Special Education.
much of her career. She also played a leadership role in SDSU’s popular master’s program in autism and helped develop the advanced certificate in behavior analysis.
STE’s Jeffers named county teacher of the year Mark Jeffers, a lecturer and site coordinator in the School of Teacher Education, was named a San Diego County Teacher of the Year by the San Diego County Office of Education. Jeffers has taught English at Mount Miguel High School for 21 years, and is deeply committed to helping students from historically underserved communities prepare for higher education.
“We’re working for the students. We give them work to do, but they’re our employer. We have such a responsibility to give them opportunities to be the person they want to be.” —Mark Jeffers
‘A win for us’: Research award carries significant meaning for Saia When ARPE Associate Professor Toni Saia was named by the Western Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (WACES) as its recipient of the 2025 Research Award, she was excited to celebrate the win — but it wasn’t hers alone. Saia called it a victory for the entire disability community in higher education, which has long been overlooked by the ivory tower. As a wheelchair user and longtime disability rights activist, Saia conducts research — often in partnership with other disabled scholars — that supports rehabilitation counselors in furthering their understanding of their role in creating an anti-ableist society.
“Disabled people don’t exist to be serviced. We are the leaders, we are the researchers, we are the experts.” —Toni Saia
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Awards and Distinctions Felisha Herrera Villarreal (professor, ARPE) was named a New Leadership Academy Fellow by the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), a national organization dedicated to advancing quality and equity in undergraduate education. Hsien-Chang Lin (professor and chair, CFD) was elected a full member of Sigma Xi: The Scientific Research Honor Society Paul Luelmo (associate professor, SPED), was named editor of the Journal of Special Education Apprenticeship. Colleagues Christopher Brum (associate professor, SPED) and Lauren Collins (professor, SPED) serve as co-editor and associate editor, respectively. Melissa A. Navarro Martell (associate professor, DLE) was named the inaugural recipient of the California Council on Teacher Education’s JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) Award for Transformative Community-Grounded Work in Teacher Education. Toni Saia (associate professor, ARPE) received the Early Career Award from the Association for Rehabilitation, Research, Policy, and Education. Toni Saia (associate professor, ARPE) and Mari Guillermo (associate professor, ARPE), received the American Rehabilitation Counseling Association’s Research Award. Kathleen Schenkel (associate professor, STE), was part of a team that received the AERA Technology Instruction Cognition and Learning (TICL) Outstanding International Research Collaboration Award. Samuel Song (professor, CSP and Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) served as commissioner for the American Psychological Association’s Commission for the Recognition of Specialties and Subspecialties in Professional Psychology. Weichen Zhao (assistant professor, STE/Imperial Valley) was selected for a STaR Fellowship by the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators. Weichen Zhao (assistant professor, STE/Imperial Valley) and Vannessa Falcón Orta (assistant professor, STE/ Imperial Valley), were runners up for the 2026 SDSU Excellence in Community Engaged Learning Award.
Mónica Baldonado-Ruiz (assistant professor, STE) and Melina Melgarejo (associate professor, SPED/ DLE) were named Faculty Fellows of the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education for the 2025-26 school year. Regina Brandon (professor, SPED) received the Unsung Hero Award at SDSU’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Luncheon in recognition for her advocacy on behalf of students, committee service and strong support of Africana Studies. Charles Degeneffe (professor, ARPE) received the George N. Wright University of Wisconsin-Madison 2026 Varsity Award, which recognizes outstanding alumni of UW’s Rehabilitation Psychology Ph.D. Program. Douglas Fisher (professor and chair, EDL), was ranked #11 on Global Guru’s list of World’s Top 30 Education Professionals for 2026. Douglas Fisher (professor and chair, EDL), Nancy Frey (professor, EDL) and James Marshall (professor, EDL) received the Gold Medal in the Education category at the 2026 Independent Publisher Book Awards for their book “RIGOR Unveiled.” Amy Fulinara (lecturer, STE) received the California School Boards Association Golden Bell Award for advancing equitable student outcomes. She serves as Executive Director of Educational Services for the Lemon Grove School District.
Promoted Faculty Clockwise from upper left: Lauren Collins (SPED), Alberto Esquinca (DLE), Sera J. Hernández (DLE), Sascha Longstreth (CFD), Saúl Maldonado (DLE), Vicki Park (EDL), Donna Ross (STE) and Marissa Vasquez (ARPE) to full professor. Jennifer Karnopp (EDL) and Melina Melgarejo (SPED/DLE) to associate professor with tenure.
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2026 Yearbook and Impact Report
Impact and Innovation $30 million federal grant cements SDSU’s national leadership in vocational rehabilitation
(From left) ARPE Professor Mark Tucker and Interwork Program Director Chaz Compton at the Interwork Institute office in SDSU’s Alvarado Road district.
In one of the largest federal grants in SDSU history, the Interwork Institute has been selected to launch a national center to help vocational rehabilitation programs across the U.S. better empower individuals with disabilities to attain careers and independence.
million over five years to support the creation of the National Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center (NVRTAC). The grant is the largest award SDSU has ever received from the Department of Education, and the largest award ever garnered by the College of Education.
In September 2025, the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration awarded $30
“We’re helping government programs operate as efficiently and effectively as possible in serving people with disabilities and helping them go to work. Because of our assistance, those programs can not only improve services to those individuals, but increase the number of people they serve, increasing their economic independence.” —Chaz Compton, Interwork Institute
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Shared governance success On April 29, 2026 more than 40 eager SDSU teaching credential candidates descended on Otay Ranch High School in Chula Vista, California, with resumes in hand. They were all there for an event held jointly between the College of Education’s three teaching credentialing programs and Sweetwater Union High School District. The idea was twofold: Help SDSU’s future teachers get a leg up in their job searches while helping SUHSD make their pitch to the best and brightest. The event was made possible thanks to a strong foundation of trust and common purpose cultivated through shared governance — a strategy SDSU has embarked on with seven major partners across the county to align goals, processes and partnerships around areas of mutual interest.
Principal Sergio Quintero of Eastlake Middle leads teacher candidates Hannah Gonzales, Ryan Roque and Mike Liu in a round of mock interviews.
Collaboration supports children with autism
From left: SPED Professors Jessica Suhrheinrich and Laura Hall with Teresa Girolamo, assistant professor of speech and language.
SDSU’s Department of Special Education and School of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences have been working across campus to break down barriers and develop cross-campus curriculum innovations. Those efforts received a major boost in 2025 thanks to a five-year $1.25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). The funding will support Project INCLUDE, an initiative to co-train 12 master’s students in early childhood special education and 12 in speech-language pathology to provide collaborative, evidence-based and neurodiversity-affirming services to young autistic children with high-intensity needs and their families.
Future therapy professionals offer free sessions to students, families SDSU’s Center for Community Counseling and Engagement launched an initiative in 2025 to help students in the wider university community strengthen family relationships so they can thrive academically and personally. The center offered free telehealth group therapy sessions to all SDSU students and their families. Graduate student trainees in SDSU’s Marriage and Family Therapy program led the sessions, offering support, building stronger lines of communication and resolving conflicts related to independence, school transitions, intergenerational differences and acculturation gaps. Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) students Manasvi Sridhar (left) and Janhavi Shah.
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2026 Yearbook and Impact Report
In Focus: Class of 2026 Students from the College of Education Class of 2026 celebrated commencement at undergraduate and graduate ceremonies on May 14 and 15 at Viejas Arena. Photos by Sarah Wilkins and Michael Klitzing.
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2026 Yearbook and Impact Report
Student Spotlights Graduate students named Sally Casanova Scholars “It means very much to me to be a selected scholar with the opportunity to continue my education and expand my scholarship at a time when lifting up diverse scholarly voices is needed the most.” —Daniela Hernandez
From left: Sally Casanova Scholars Rei Perez Muñoz, Leslie Gomez and Daniela Hernandez.
Three COE master’s students were among the eight SDSU students named Sally Casanova California Pre-Doctoral Scholars for 2025-26. Leslie Gomez and Daniela Hernandez (postsecondary educational leadership and student affairs) and Rei Perez Muñoz (child development) were SDSU College of Education
accepted into the program, which aims to diversify CSU faculty by supporting the doctoral aspirations of promising students. Each received funds for travel and professional development, a summer research experience and mentorship from current faculty.
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Katie Guerra (foreground) and the Aztec Cheer Squad perform at Snapdragon Stadium.
Supporting others, on and off the field Katie Guerra’s role as a base is foundational to the SDSU cheerleading team — she serves as a building block of the routine for timing, rhythm and for flyers to do their jumps and aerial stunts. Given her affinity for supportive and serving roles, it should be no surprise Guerra chose to major in child development. As a CFD major, she was placed in a special education classroom at a local elementary school — a rewarding experience that fueled her aspiration to become an occupational therapist at a children’s hospital.
“It’s definitely such a helping profession, a serving profession. I feel like that’s something I’ve always been called to do.” —Katie Guerra
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2026 Yearbook and Impact Report
Advocating for multilingual learners on Capitol Hill Department of Dual Language and English Learner Education master’s students May Ovalles, Beatriz Bey and Alejandra Rodarte joined Professor Margarita Machado-Casas in Washington, DC, in March 2026 to advocate for increased federal funding for bilingual education programs as part of Language Advocacy Days, organized by the Joint National Committee for Languages. The SDSU contingent had meetings with the staff of representatives Darrell E. Issa (R) and Juan Vargas (D), as well as senators Adam Schiff (D) and Alex Padilla (D).
“This experience gave me a purpose again because I realized that I’m not alone. These are the moments where we have to stick together. We have to be in community, advocate for our needs and be outspoken.” —May Ovalles
From left: May Ovalles, Professor Margarita Machado-Casas, Beatriz Bey and Alejandra Rodarte.
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ARPE’s Carter exemplifies innovation Billy Carter, a leadership studies major, was selected for SDSU’s 2026 Zahn Spirit of Innovation Award, given to a graduating student in recognition of their entrepreneurial efforts and personal accomplishments. Carter launched a full-fledged concierge trip-planning business, Celebrity Concierge.
JDP’s Cortes wins SDSU staff honor Esmeralda S. Cortes, a student in the Joint Ph.D. Program with Claremont Graduate University and an employee at SDSU, was part of a Career Services team that received the California State University’s Fong & Fetterly Staff Award for their innovative, equity-centered approach to preparing students for career success.
STE’s Morrison gives voice to credential candidates Joseph Morrison, an aspiring high school physics teacher pursuing his teaching credential in the School of Teacher Education, was appointed as Educator Preparation Student Liaison for the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), the body that sets state standards for educator preparation for public schools.
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2026 Yearbook and Impact Report
Alumni Amid grief, the drive to help heal
“The program prepared me to work with the community and to deal with crisis. We were trained in healing circles. CBB was very big on, ‘When the community needs you, you’re going to be available.’” —Halima Said
Halima Said drew upon her education in culturally responsive mental-health counseling to offer support to the community impacted by the mosque attack in San Diego. As the news unfolded about the hate-fueled attack that left three people dead at the Islamic Center of San Diego on May 18, 2026, Halima Said (’17, ’20) found herself gripped by an overwhelming urge to take action. In the weeks after the attack, Said put her Community-Based Block Multicultural Community Counseling and Social Justice Education (CBB) preparation into practice, rendering support to a community in crisis through AMALY, a nonprofit organization she co-founded dedicated to addressing the mental health needs of San Diego’s Muslim community. Two days after the shooting, the organization hosted a virtual healing circle. That weekend, they were at the center, co-facilitating multiple in-person sessions for women, men and children. Supported by funding from the NGO Islamic Relief USA, AMALY also ramped up in-person therapy for individuals directly affected, including children. Said launched AMALY in 2020 alongside her friend Amira Abudiab, a fellow Palestinian Muslim therapist. When she’s not acting as co-CEO, Said sees clients for individual and couples therapy, and runs cultural humility and suicide prevention trainings for community organizations.
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CFD’s Hudec receives Milken Educator Award Joel Hudec (‘10), a child development alumnus, was named recipient of the Milken Educator Award, an honor dubbed “The Oscars of Teaching” that recognizes the excellence of early-to-mid career education professionals. Hudec just completed his fourth year as principal of Brookside Elementary in Beaumont, California. He and his team implemented innovations to track writing and mathematics progress across grade levels. Hudec has also worked to build a culture of community among both students and staff.
RCP’s Horttor named up-andcoming business leader Myles Horttor (’09, ‘17), a graduate of SDSU’s rehabilitation counseling master’s program, was recognized by the San Diego Business Journal in its 2025 listing of 40 Next Top Business Leaders Under 40. He serves as chief programs officer at Options For All, a San Diego-based nonprofit organization specializing in employment training and other support services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
VIDEO SPOTLIGHT: Leadership through an equity lens Scan the QR code to see the story of Cherese Wiltshire (’25), a 2025 alumna of SDSU’s Educational Leadership PK-12 Ed.D. program. The assistant principal in San Diego discusses her passion for giving students what they need without compromising their identities.
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2026 Yearbook and Impact Report
Philanthropy “I didn’t accomplish anything by doing it in isolation,” Lu said. “I studied with people, built alongside people, brainstormed with people. I had people who had my back.” —Charles Lu
Investing in the power of collaboration External Advisory Board member honors his family with a named space in the College of Education. Along his journey from first-generation college student to higher education thought leader, Charles Lu learned well the value of collaboration. A longtime leader in diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in STEM, Lu has worked at The University of Texas at Austin, UC San Diego and Johns Hopkins University. Most recently, he served as Branch Chief of Strategic Initiatives and Engagement at the National Institutes of Health. Now, Lu works with top educational policy and advocacy organizations, creating strategies for the future of higher education. As a member of the External Advisory Board to the Dean for the College of Education at SDSU, Lu has made a significant gift to foster the spirit of collaboration in the College for years to come. The gift creates an endowment to support the Dean’s Excellence Fund, which provides flexible funding to address critical needs. In recognition, COE’s Collaboration Hub in Lamden Hall — a state-of-the-art space for meetings, workshops, mini-conferences, receptions and small gatherings opened in 2024 — will henceforth be known as the Lu Family Collaboration Hub.
Charles Lu in front of Hepner Hall at SDSU.
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Endowments The SDSU College of Education is grateful to the generous individuals and organizations who have created the following endowments. Alice Theresa Means Endowed Scholarship* (NEW) Amber Christine Soule Endowment Anonymous* ARPE Emeriti Endowed Scholarship: Disability Research Barbara A. Meyers CED Endowed Scholarship* Barbara Erickson Sisk Endowed Scholarship* Barbara White Slyker Scholarship Endowment for Education (NEW) Ben Ziri #218 Endowed Scholarship Betsey Love Biondo Student Teacher Endowed Scholarship Brydegaard Faculty Development Endowment Carla S. Roddy Endowed Scholarship* Carolyn Veseliny Endowed Scholarship* Catherine and David Want Mathematics Teacher Endowed Scholarship* Catherine Y. Lodge Memorial Endowed Scholarship* Center for Critical Thinking Endowment Cheng Endowment* Cheryl L. and James F. Mason Endowed Scholarship* Chinese Cultural Center Endowment College of Education Dean’s Excellence Fund* College of Education Scholarship* Creative Support Alternatives Endowment (NEW) Davene Gibson Endowed Scholarship* Dennis & Marilyn Pugh Education Endowed Scholarship* Dennis and Elaine G. Szeto Endowed Scholarship in Education Dr. Alfred Merino Memorial Endowed Scholarship Dr. Christianna Alger Memorial Endowed Scholarship Dr. Ed Reed Endowed Scholarship* Dr. Howard S. Rubenstein Legacy Endowment (NEW) Dr. Leonard Pellettiri & Mary Rose Family Memorial Endowed Scholarship Dr. Samuel M. Ciccati Endowed Scholarship Drs. Alberto Ochoa and Maria Elena Endowed Scholarship Dryer Family Endowed Scholarship* Educational Leadership Endowment Emeritus Dean Lionel “Skip” Meno, Ph.D. NCUST Endowment* Erma Woike Staff Development Endowment Foelber Family Endowed Scholarship Future Educator Scholarship Endowment (NEW) Georgia Tait Stooke Endowment Gertrude Bell Endowed Scholarship Gilda Johnson Shumate Endowed Scholarship* Global Health Legacy Endowed Scholarsh Gordon Thompson Endowment Halfaker Memorial Endowment Helen and Charles Rappe Teaching Excellence Endowed Scholarship ISMA-Qualcomm Endowment
Janet Sinegal Endowed Scholarship Janet Sloan Breece Memorial Endowed Scholarship Jeanne Mendoza Collaboration Endowment Jennifer Vattuone Scholarship Endowment* (NEW) Jim and Scotty Dietz Endowed Scholarship Joan F. Curry Endowment* Joe & Betty Suozzo Education Endowed Scholarship John D. Chamley Memorial Scholarship John Tucker Endowed Scholarship* Josh A. Comay Endowed Scholarship in Child Development Judy James Memorial Endowed Scholarship Kurt Friedrich Memorial Endowment LaPray Schmock Endowed Scholarship Lawrence and Opal Maletta Special Education Teachers Endowed Scholarship Leonard Sherr Memorial Scholarship Endowment Leslee K. Teincuff Memorial Endowed Scholarship Liz and Simon McAllister Endowed Teaching Scholarship Lu Family Collaboration Hub Endowment (NEW) Margaret “Robin” Murphy Memorial Endowed Scholarship Marian K. Van Kirk Endowed Scholarship* Mary Alys Skulavik and Vera Jo Skulavik Endowed Scholarship Mary Catherine Martinez Endowed Scholarship Mary Donaldson Endowed Scholarship Mary Magdalena Carrillo Mejia Endowed Scholarship Marylinn J. Metzke Endowed Scholarship Maus Faculty Development Endowment Miriam Paine Memorial Endowed Scholarship Mission Federal Credit Union Endowment Monica Murphy Endowment Fund* NCUST-Qualcomm Endowment Park Family Endowed Executive Director for the Institute for Transformative Education Patricia Calhoun Endowed Scholarship Peggy Hawley Endowed Scholarship Plough Family Endowed Scholarship* Ray Letsinger Endowed Scholarship Richard Servey Endowed Scholarship Russ and Judy James Endowed Scholarship Samuel M. and Kristine J. Ciccati Endowed Scholarship Santa Cruz Family Endowed Doctoral Scholarship Sawyer C. Hsu Endowment Shelley Bergum Higher Education Endowed Scholarship Simmons Family Endowed Scholarship Tom and Audrey Pine Literacy Center Endowment Vera Einstein Endowed Scholarship Virginia P. Uline Endowed Scholarship Wilson Faculty Development Endowment*
*These endowments were established by generous donors who have named San Diego State University as a beneficiary in their estate plans.
Make a lasting difference To explore College of Education giving opportunities, contact Megan Beardsley, senior director of development, at mbeardsley@sdsu.edu or 619-594-2277. Or learn more by scanning this QR code.
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In Focus: Rankings Milestone A Steady Climb
#
41
2026
In April, U.S. News & World Report released its 2026 ranking of Best Education Schools, showing SDSU tied for #41 among all universities nationwide. This is the fifth consecutive year COE has risen in the rankings, climbing 14 spots since 2021.
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45
2025 #
48
2024 #
49
2023 #
52
2022 #
55
2021
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A Story of Resilience
Leadership Dean’s Office
Y. Barry Chung
Sarah Garrity
Rachel Haine-Schlagel
Samuel Song
Dean
Senior Associate Dean
Associate Dean for Research
Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Patricia LozadaSantone Assistant Dean for Student Affairs
Departments
Marissa Vasquez
Hsien-Chang Lin
Travis Heath
Sera Hernandez
Professor and Chair, Administration, Rehabilitation and Postsecondary Education
Professor and Chair, Child and Family Development
Associate Professor and Chair, Counseling and School Psychology
Professor and Chair, Dual Language and English Learner Education
Douglas Fisher
Bonnie Kraemer
Marva Cappello
Lynne Bercaw
Professor and Chair, Educational Leadership
Professor and Chair, Special Education
Professor and Director, Joint Ph.D. Program in Education with Claremont Graduate University
Professor and Director, School of Teacher Education
SDSU - College of Education
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2026 Yearbook and Impact Report
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