Message from the Dean
Dear Fall 2024 Graduates of the VCU School of Education, Congratulations on your accomplishment! As graduates of the fall class of 2024, you have prepared yourselves to meet the challenges of today’s world. You have the tenacity, the creativity, and commitment to be successful. We’re most proud of what you will accomplish and the impact that you will have.
At the VCU School of Education, we are committed to meeting the needs of the communities that we serve in a way that is meaningful and engaging to our students. That commitment is reflected in part by maintaining our reputation as one of the nation’s top higher education programs. In recognition of that, we were recently ranked #16 Best Public School of Education in the country by U.S. News & World Report. We are proud that the School of Education is so highly ranked, as it speaks to the quality of education our students experience.
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The VCU School of Education aspires to be the nation’s leader in urban education, and to prepare educators and other professionals to be successful and make an impact in our highest need schools and communities, particularly those affected by poverty. Starting right here in the city of Richmond and expanding to our surrounding communities, we have made a commitment to do innovative and effective work that puts our schools, children and families first.
The challenges facing our schools and communities are not average, so we strive to meet these challenges with cutting edge research and teaching. After launching our strategic plan four years ago, we continue to build on our strategic priorities, particularly in the areas of research, student success, and culture and climate.
I’d like to extend a special thank you to parents, grandparents, spouses, partners, children, significant others, and friends who have supported you along your journey. We would also like to recognize our outstanding faculty and staff here in the School of Education, who have mentored and supported you during your tenure of study in the school. Thanks again to our faculty and staff, and congratulations to you.
Warmest Regards,
Kathleen M. Rudasill, Ph.D. Interim Dean, VCU School of Education
Program
Processional
“Pomp and Circumstance”
Sir Edward Elgar
The National Anthem
“The Star Spangled Banner” Key/Smith
Greetings
Dr. Tomika Ferguson
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Inclusive Excellence
Presentation of the Charles P. Ruch Award for Excellence in Teaching
Dr. Tomika Ferguson
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Inclusive Excellence
Recipient:
Dr. Michelle Hicks Reflections
Dr. Michelle Hicks
Department of Counseling and Special Education
Presentation of Diplomas
Dr. Luciana de Oliveira
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Graduate Studies
Dr. Whitney Newcomb
Educational Leadership Chair and Interim Associate Dean for Faculty Development
Recognition of Recipients of Doctoral Degrees
Dr. Luciana de Oliveira
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Graduate Studies
Congratulatory Remarks
Dr. Tomika Ferguson
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Inclusive Excellence
Recessional
“Te Deum” by Marc-Antoine Charpentier, arranged by Mark J. La Fratta
School of Education Leadership
Kathleen M. Rudasill, Ph.D., Interim Dean
Luciana C. de Oliveira, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Graduate Studies
Whitney Newcomb, Ph.D., Department Chair, Educational Leadership; Interim Associate Dean for Faculty Development
Thomas Farmer, Ph.D., Department Chair, Foundations of Education; Interim Department Chair, Teaching and Learning
Kevin Sutherland, Ph.D., Interim Associate Dean for Research
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Kamden Strunk, Ph.D., Chair, Faculty Organization
Danielle Cosby, Executive Assistant to the Dean
Tomika L. Ferguson, Ph.D., Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Inclusive Excellence
Patrick Mullen, Ph.D., Department Chair, Counseling and Special Education
Chardaesia Hartridge, Staff Council Chair
Sean Carlin, Administrative Coordinator and Building Manager
The Charles P. Ruch Award for Excellence in Teaching
The Charles P. Ruch Award for Excellence in Teaching honors Dr. Charles P. Ruch, a former provost and dean of the School of Education. When Dr. Ruch left VCU in 1992 to become the president of Boise State University, the School of Education chose to honor him by creating a faculty award in his honor. Dr. Ruch valued the traditional university faculty roles in the triad mission of teaching, scholarship and service. He emphasized that scholarship and service are important in a modern metropolitan research university. He mirrored these values in his work at VCU by teaching throughout his tenure as dean and provost.
The Spring 2024 recipient of the Charles P. Ruch Award for Excellence in Teaching is Dr. Michelle Hicks. Dr. Hicks is an Assistant Professor of Special Education and Disability Policy in the VCU School of Education’s Department of Counseling and Special Education. She received her master’s degree in education from Old Dominion University and holds her teaching certifications in the areas of specific learning disabilities and specific emotional disabilities. In addition to her 27 years in the K-!2 special education, she was an AACTE Holmes Scholar. Her research includes braille literacy, teacher preparation, and Autism supports for families.
One student in Dr. Hicks’ multicultural course had this to say about Dr. Hicks: “I believe Michelle Hicks is the best choice, because she exhibits all of the following criteria and much more. She has a welcoming classroom where everyone feels accepted and can openly express themselves. She teaches us, and then my favorite part, she explains why she would use this exercise or why she would use this activity in teaching to better prepare us for a classroom setting in the future. I very much enjoy her breaking down and explaining why she taught u what she did, because it gives us a better understanding of howto run a classroom. She gives us plenty of time to share our thoughts and feelings, while also making sure we get through the planned
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material for the day. She always responds to my emails no matter the time of day, and many of the people in my class enjoy her so much, not only as a teacher, that many of us stay late or arrive early just to chat with her. She has made clear her room and herself are a safe space for students, whether you have school related or just life related issues. I believe she is a great nominee and I would love to see her get an award she deserves. I truly aspire to teach like her some day.”
Another nomination noted, “She’s very supportive and inspiring.”
A yet another proclaimed with enthusiasm, “You’re the best!”
Previous Recipients of the Charles P. Ruch Award
1993 Dr. James Hodges
Dr. John Seyfarth
1994
Dr. Judy Richardson
1995 Dr. Jennifer Kilgo
1996 Dr. Deborah Getty
Dr. Jon Wergin
1997 Dr. Richard Gayle
1998 Dr. Andrew Beale
1999 Dr. Patricia Duncan
2000 Dr. John Van DeWalle
2001 Dr. Jack Schiltz
2002
2003
Dr. Jill Fox
Dr. Douglas Fiore 2004
Dr. Samuel Craver
Dr. Jon Wergin
Dr. Joann Richardson
Dr. John Rossi
Dr. Loraine Stewart
Dr. Mary Hermann
Dr. Terry Carter 2010
Dr. William Muth 2011 Dr. Ronald Evans
2012
Dr. William Muth
Dr. Yaoying Xu
2013 Dr. Valerie J. Robnolt
Dr. James H. McMillan
2014 Dr. Katherine C. Mansfield
Dr. Carrie W. LeCrom
2015 Dr. Evelyn Reed
Dr. Abigail Conley
2016 Dr. Michael D. Broda
Dr. Robin R. Hurst
2017
2018
Ms. Laura S. Domalik
Dr. LaRon Scott
Dr. Yaoying Xu
Dr. Naomi Wheeler
2019 Dr. Ross Collin
Dr. Hillary Parkhouse
2020 Dr. Monty Jones
Dr. LaRon Scott
2021 Dr. Kevin Clay
Dr. Genevieve SiegelHawley
2022 Dr. Rachel F. Gómez
Dr. Kaitlin J. Hinchey
2023 Dr. Chi-Ning Chang
Dr. David Saavedra
2024 Dr. T’Airra Belcher
Dr. Michelle Hicks
Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) Graduates Baccalaureate
Degree Honors
Magna Cum Laude
Crawley, Amber
Garris, Natassja
Kaddouri, Sufia
King, Riley Jo
Kurnik, Madison
Ortiz, Laviana
Sterling, Ysanne
McElhinney, Ellery
Sanders, Tytianna
Soliman, Heba
Thompson, Macy
Early Childhood Education and Teaching
Elementary Education and Teaching
Elementary Education and Teaching
Elementary Education and Teaching
Elementary Education and Teaching
Elementary Education and Teaching
Elementary Education and Teaching
Cum Laude
Elementary Education and Teaching
Early Childhood Education and Teaching
Early Childhood Education and Teaching
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Elementary Education and Teaching
Brown, Cara
Carson, Kelly
Hann, Princess
Johnson, DJ
Li, Tracy
Martin, Lucas
Meier, Tressa
Neri Martinez, Jeryley
Rodriguez Velez, Nicole
Cooksey, Cameron
Elementary Education and Teaching
Elementary Education and Teaching
Elementary Education and Teaching
Elementary Education and Teaching
Elementary Education and Teaching
Elementary Education and Teaching
Elementary Education and Teaching
Elementary Education and Teaching
Elementary Education and Teaching
Health and Physical Education
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Graduates Baccalaureate Degree Honors
Faleh, Manal
Cum Laude
Human and Organizational Development
Khan, Maunchi
Human and Organizational Development
Master of Teaching (M.T.) Graduates Baccalaureate Degree Honors
Pinkowski, Ashley
Bodekor, Mykenzie
Raymond, Natalie
Weaver, Alexus
Theriault, Alexis
(B.A., B.S., B.I.S.)
Summa Cum Laude
Early and Elementary Education, B.I.S, Liberal Studies for Early and Elementary Education
Magna Cum Laude
Early and Elementary Education, B.I.S, Liberal Studies for Early and Elementary Education
Early and Elementary Education, B.I.S, Liberal Studies for Early and Elementary Education
Early and Elementary Education, B.I.S, Liberal Studies for Early and Elementary Education
Cum Laude
Early and Elementary Education, B.I.S, Liberal Studies for Early and Elementary Education
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Master of Teaching (M.T.) Graduates
Branch, Jordan
Early and Elementary Education
McGinnis, Nadine Early and Elementary Education
Miller, Jordan
Shorter, Tatyana
Early and Elementary Education
Early and Elementary Education
Solano, Tori Science Education
Swallow, Sara English Education
Master of Education (M.Ed.) Graduates
Ireland, Wesley
O’Hallahan, Celia
Stech, Scott
Allen, Kayla
Doner, Emerson
Imran, Rabia
Long, Jenna
Sekhon, Navdeep
Viceconte, Madeleine
Wentz, Jasmine
Anderson, Erica
Brown, Catherine
Jones, Terry
Jurich, Margaret
Macleay, Natalie
Miller, Catherine
Mork Barringer, Brenna
Pilkington, Devin
Poland, Sarah
Shearer, Jordan
Adult Learning – Human Resources Development
Adult Learning – Human Resources Development
Adult Learning – Human Resources Development
Counselor Education – School Counseling
Counselor Education – College Counseling and Student Affairs
Counselor Education – Couples and Family Counseling
Counselor Education – School Counseling
Counselor Education – School Counseling
Counselor Education – Couples and Family Counseling
Counselor Education – School Counseling
Curriculum and Instruction
Curriculum and Instruction
Curriculum and Instruction
Curriculum and Instruction
Curriculum and Instruction
Curriculum and Instruction
Curriculum and Instruction
Curriculum and Instruction
Curriculum and Instruction
Curriculum and Instruction
Master of Education (M.Ed.) Graduates – cont.
Armatis, Olivia
Berdugo Lara, Ana
Caudill, Carol
Falk, Mary
Gilchrist, Joy
Turmelle, Aurora
Turner, Robert
Boehling, Isabella
England, Erin
Keck, Dana
Ward, Alison
Albert, Nevin
Beamer, Megumi
Geib, Brian
Hong, Jingru
Ice, Kathi
Jesukiewicz, Lynda
Lewis, Shawnee
Rhodes, Maggie
Sharma, Lexi
Smith, Velona
Thet, Ma May
Wood, Mackenzie
Educational Leadership – Leadership Studies
Educational Leadership – Leadership Studies
Educational Leadership – Leadership Studies
Educational Leadership – Leadership Studies
Educational Leadership – Leadership Studies
Educational Leadership – Leadership Studies
Educational Leadership – Leadership Studies
Reading – Reading Specialist
Reading – K12
Reading Specialist
Reading – K12 Reading Specialist
Reading – K12 Reading Specialist
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Special Education – Severe Disabilities
Special Education – Adapted Curriculum
Special Education – Adapted Curriculum
Special Education – Early Childhood
Special Education – Early Childhood
Special Education – Early Childhood
Special Education – General Education
Special Education – Severe Disabilities
Special Education – General Education
Special Education – General Education
Special Education – General Education
Special Education – Early Childhood
Undergraduate Certificates
Hanisian, Isabella
Krueger, Katarina
Disability Studies
Disability Studies
Post-Baccalaureate Certificates
Edmonds, Kenedy
Henson, Denny
Weisman, Robin
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Medical Education
Disability Leadership
Post-Master’s Certificates
Bobbitt, Kionna
Canady, Philip
Cooper, Samantha
Curney, Andrea
Hobson Flowers, Shari
Nesbitt, Taylor
Nichols, Terrell
Parrish, Nina
Quintanilla-Staley, Joshua
Rainney, Destiny
Rayhel, Elizabeth
Smith, Chelsie
Smith, Jeremy
Wood, Caroline
Yeh, Angela
Fritts, Katherine
Mathis-Barnett, Lisa
Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership
Reading Specialist
Reading Specialist
Recipients of the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Degree in Education
Fayad, Rima
Visual Arts Integration in Mathematics: Providing Equity and Optimizing the Teaching and Learning Process in the Context of VA State Standards of Learning and WIDA Framework for Multilingual Learners
Hillary Parkhouse
Hopkins, Jackie
Using Asset-Based Community Development to Increase Student Engagement and Improve Student Experience in Schools
Hillary Parkhouse
Jackson, Lauren
How Ebony Transcends in the Ivory Tower: Unveiling Transformational Black Women Forging Leadership Paths in Historically White Institutions
Jeffery Wilson
Lovin, Jamey
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Change in Teacher Beliefs and Practices after Participating in an Online Mathematics Specialist Program: An Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods Study
Michael Broda
Regal, Rachel
Systemic Contributors to Health Equity: A Conceptual Framework and Moderation Analysis
Naomi Wheeler
Stains, Emily
Professional Learning in Public Education: Developing, Redefining, and Evaluating Its Impact on Teacher Pedagogy, Practice, and Student Learning
Ross Collin
Grillo, Monica
Navigating Disability and Special Education Policy Implementations: A Case Study—Mixed Methods Design
Yaoying Xu
NOTES
Marshals
Dr. Jose Alcaine
Dr. Krystal Andrews
Dr. Meera Mehtaji
Dr. Gabriel Reich
Dr. Valerie Robnolt
Music led by:
Dr. Ross Walter
Musicians:
Dr. Ross Walter, trombone
Rolla Durham, trumpet
Steven Cunningham, trumpet
Alex Wilkerson, trumpet
Patrick Smith, horn
Jeremy Loudon, trombone
Mark J. La Fratta, tuba
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