GRADUATION
Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025 | 1:30 p.m.
Message from the Dean
Dear Fall 2025 Graduates of the VCU School of Education, Congratulations on your accomplishment! As graduates of the Fall class of 2025, 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 education schools. In recognition of that, we were recently ranked #15 Best Public School of Education in the country by U.S. News & World Report in their 2025 rankings. We are proud that the School of Education is so highly ranked, as it speaks to the quality of education our students experience.
The VCU School of Education is a leader in education, and in preparing educators and other professionals to be successful and make an impact in their communities. The challenges facing our schools and communities are complex, so we strive to meet these challenges with cutting edge research and teaching. 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 communities, schools, children, and families first.
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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,
Kelli Feldman, Ph.D. Dean, VCU School of Education; Ruth Harris Professor
Processional
Program
“Pomp and Circumstance”
Sir Edward Elgar
The National Anthem
“The Star Spangled Banner”
Key/Smith
Greetings
Dr. Kelli Feldman
Dean and Ruth Harris Professor
Presentation of the Charles P. Ruch Award for Excellence in Teaching
Dr. Kelli Feldman
Dean and Ruth Harris Professor
Recipient:
Dr. Kimberly Bridges
Educational Leadership
Reflections
Dr. Kimberly Bridges
Educational Leadership
Presentation of Diplomas
Dr. Kamden Strunk
Interim Associate Dean for Faculty Development
Dr. Tomika Ferguson
Associate Dean for Student Affairs
Recognition of Recipients of Doctoral Degrees
Dr. Yaoying Xu
Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Congratulatory Remarks
Dr. Kelli Feldman
Dean and Ruth Harris Professor
Recessional “Te Deum” by Marc-Antoine Charpentier, arranged by Mark J. La Fratta
School of Education Leadership
Kelli Feldman, Ph.D., Dean, VCU School of Education; Ruth Harris Professor
Yaoying Xu, Ph.D., Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Graduate Studies; Professor, Counseling and Special Education
Tomika L. Ferguson, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Student Affairs; Assistant Professor, Educational Leadership
Patrick Mullen, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Counseling and Special Education
Serra De Arment, Ph.D., Chair, Faculty Organization
Kevin Sutherland, Ph.D., Interim Associate Dean for Research; Professor, Counseling and Special Education
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Thomas Farmer Ph.D., Chair, Department of Foundations of Education
Kamden Strunk, Ph.D., Interim Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Development; Professor, Foundations of Education
Scott Stech, M.Ed., PMP, SHRM-CP, Executive Director for Finance and Business Administration
Whitney Newcomb, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Educational Leadership
Krystal Andrews, Ph.D. Chair, Staff Council
Danielle Cosby, Executive Assistant to the Dean
Ashley Boyd, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Teaching and Learning
Sean Carlin, Building Manager and Administrative Coordinator
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 Fall 2025 recipient of the Charles P. Ruch Award for Excellence in Teaching is Dr. Kimberly Bridges. Dr. Kimberly Bridges is an associate professor in the Department of Educational Leadership, director of Ed.D. Capstone Experiences, and 2025-2026 President of the VCU Faculty Senate. She has a background in K-12 education policy at the state and local levels, governance, and system improvement, as well as experience in program administration, teaching adult learners and communications. She brings a cross-sector perspective, the ability to apply research and theory to real-world political and organizational settings, and skill in building relationships and shared understanding to tackle systemic challenges in the K-12 sector.
Bridges holds an Ed.L.D. in Education Leadership from Harvard Graduate School of Education. Her research interests are focused on promoting sustainable K-12 improvement and student achievement through: effective leadership and governance; state and local policy; diversity, inclusion and equity; and cross-sector collaboration.
One student who nominated Dr. Bridges had this to say about their experience with the professor:
“Dr. Bridges is masterful at encouraging intellectual growth by being inquisitive and genuinely interested in what we say. She pushes students to dig deeper, to challenge established “truths” and to keep seeking ways to serve with an — continued —
equity-focused mind and heart. She is supportive, accessible, funny and kind. I have 30 years of experience in education and seldom have I come across someone who inspires me and encourages me to keep growing as a leader so I can continue to do my best to serve my students.”
Another nomination noted, “I have thoroughly enjoyed having classes with Dr. Bridges this semester. She exudes positivity and encouragement with every interaction. Her feedback is thoughtful and stimulates new ideas for growth and learning with every assignment. She models her courses with accessibility at the forefront and is beyond supportive of non-traditional students like myself. I give her 5 stars and highly recommend her for the Charles B. Ruch Award.”
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 Dr. Jill Fox
2003
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
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 Ms. Laura S. Domalik
Dr. LaRon Scott
2018 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
2025 Dr. Beth Bukoski
Dr. Kimberly Bridges
Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) Graduates Baccalaureate
Degree Honors
Summa Cum Laude
Rojas, Andy
Clabon, Cyrinah
Elliott, Sofia
Portillo, Gilberto
Maneechai, Irissa
Kaneko, Masako
Meadows, Rory
Munoz, Jannel
Perkins, Rachel
Simon, Naomi
Elementary Education and Teaching
Magna Cum Laude
Elementary Education and Teaching
Elementary Education and Teaching
Elementary Education and Teaching
Health and Physical Education
Cum Laude
Early Childhood Education and Teaching
Elementary Education and Teaching
Elementary Education and Teaching
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Elementary Education and Teaching
Elementary Education and Teaching
Canino, Carmen
Happy, Ishimwe
Stores, Phynely
Blakely, Chiara
Branch, Brooke
Hernandez, Brenda
Hirsekorn, Valentine
Perez Fernandez, Bianca
Early Childhood Education and Teaching
Early Childhood Education and Teaching
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 (non-licensure)
Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) Graduates
Baccalaureate Degree Honors
Pittman, Maddie
Talley, Alexxandrea
Tumwa, Sydney
Butler, Jayden
Elementary Education and Teaching
Elementary Education and Teaching (non-licensure)
Elementary Education and Teaching
Health and Physical Education
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Graduates
Baccalaureate Degree Honors
Cum Laude
Gamberg, Libby
Human and Organizational Development
Beauford, Nadja
Payne, Maya
Human and Organizational Development
Human and Organizational Development
Master of Teaching (M.T.) Graduates
Baccalaureate Degree Honors (B.A., B.S., B.I.S.)
Yigrem, Biruk
Magna Cum Laude
History/Social Studies Education
Mohamed, Alhan
Early and Elementary Education
Master of Education (M.Ed.) Graduates
Orozco, Jennifer
Porcella, Alexandra
Taylor, Kandice
Taylor, Lexy
Abu-Ghannam, Dalya
Albert, David
Berry, Aysha
Klopp, Jason
Lizama, Keidy
Stanley, Jennifer
Williams, India
Young, DeShiree
Beasley, Joe
Counselor Education – Couples and Family Counseling
Counselor Education – Couples and Family Counseling
Counselor Education – School Counseling
Counselor Education – Couples and Family Counseling
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Curriculum and Instruction
Curriculum and Instruction
Curriculum and Instruction
Curriculum and Instruction
Curriculum and Instruction
Curriculum and Instruction
Curriculum and Instruction
Curriculum and Instruction
Educational Leadership – Administration and Supervision
Carranza-Galdamez, Brenda Educational Leadership – Leadership Studies
Master of Education (M.Ed.) Graduates –
James, Taylor
Reese, Daijyah
Waddy, Juwan
Williams, Tiffany
Borman, Jennifer
Carel, Briana
Leimbach, Emily
Payne, Meghan
Barkley, Crystal Howser
Beitzell, Kaillou
Boisseau, Emily
Buttres, Mariam
Covert, Meredith
Fernandez, Lizzie
Flinchum, Ashlynn
Meehan, Ashley
Rudd, William
Ruth, Stephanie
Terlizzi, Jacki
Educational Leadership – Culturally Responsive Leadership
Educational Leadership – Leadership Studies
Educational Leadership – Culturally Responsive Leadership
Educational Leadership – Leadership Studies
Reading – K-12 Reading Specialist
Reading – K-12 Reading Specialist
Reading – K-12
Reading – K-12
Reading Specialist
Reading Specialist
Special Education – Early Childhood
Special Education – General Education
Special Education – Adapted Curriculum
Special Education – Early Childhood
Special Education – Early Childhood
Special Education – Adapted Curriculum
Special Education – Adapted Curriculum
Special Education – Adapted Curriculum
Special Education – General Education
Special Education – Adapted Curriculum
Special Education – General Education
Undergraduate Certificates
Clabon, Cyrinah
Nguyen, MaryAnna
Ramia, Cielo
Disability Studies
Disability Studies
Disability Studies
Williams, Savannah Disability Studies
Graduate Certificates
Byrd, Dena
Ness, Shae
Culturally Responsive Leadership
Culturally Responsive Leadership
Hudgins, Eric Medical Education
Woodfield, David
Moum, Spencer
Tucker, Rachael
Zeeshan, Rabia
Gee, Tashantae
Medical Education
Special Education K-12 Teaching
Special Education K-12 Teaching
Special Education K-12 Teaching
Teaching Elementary Education
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Post-Master’s Certificates
Addo-Quartey, Helena
Austin, Kira
Baker, Adam
Bianco, Steven
Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership
Blaine-Duggan, Renee Educational Leadership
Bradford, Kiana
Burgess, Ellen
Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership
Carney Lane, Dominique Educational Leadership
Cunningham, Sarah Educational Leadership
Post-Master’s Certificates –
Dabney, Marisa
Dailey, Amanda
Ellis, Allison
Lewis, Nicole
Minks, Tyler
Poole, Theresa
Potter, Nathan
Rutan, Nicole
Sailes, Tenesha
Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership
Schroeder, Erica Educational Leadership
Sellers, Tammy
Shires, Christina
Stafflinger, Leianna
Starnes, Betsy
Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership
Thomas, Brittany Educational Leadership
Towner Jr., Michael
Tsosie, Maggie
Van Hout, Heather
Wingfield, Martha Ellen
Morris, Maria
Mound, Joshua
Tripp, Katie
Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership
Reading Specialist
Reading Specialist
Reading Specialist
Recipients of the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Degree in Education
Beatty, Joy, Ph.D.
Linguistic Whiteness: A Comparative Discourse Analysis of Race, Agency, and Algorithmic Neutrality in U.S. History Curriculum
Dr. Kendra Johnson
Dayton, Meagan, Ph.D.
Exploring Collaboration in Interdisciplinary EI/ECSE Programs: A Qualitative Study on Service Provider Preparation
Dr. Yaoying Xu
Henney, Catherine, Ph.D.
Knowing by Heart: Philosophical Dimensions of Humanistic Mathematics Education
Dr. Kurt Stemhagen
Mortensen, Lauren, Ph.D.
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Partners in Progress: How Non-Traditional Learners Perceive Organizational Support
Dr. Whitney Newcomb
Robinson, Joyice, Ph.D.
We Are Worthy of Investment: Exploring Forms of Cultural Capital among Black Families
Dr. Jennfier LoCasale-Crouch
Recipients of the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Degree in Education
Travis, John, Ph.D.
The Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Student Engagement at a Historically Black University
Dr. Lisa Abrams
Tuxbury, Kristen, Ph.D.
An Exploration of the Relationship Between School Counselor Access and Latine Students’ College-Going Behaviors
Dr. Donna Gibson
Wooten, Jeffrey, Ph.D.
Divided We Fall: Consolidation and its Value as an Instrument for Desegregation
Dr. Genevieve Siegel-Hawley
Xiao, Ke, Ph.D.
Toward Wholeness and Freedom: A Holistic Exploration of Choice-based (Art) Education Across TAB, Montessori, and Reggio Emilia
Dr. Yiwen Wei
Dr. Jose Alcaine
Dr. Krystal Andrews
Dr. Jenna Lenhardt
Dr. Valerie Robnolt
Dr. Martinique Sealy
Music led by:
Dr. Ross Walter
Musicians:
Dr. Ross Walter, trombone
Rolla Durham, trumpet
Mark J. La Fratta, trombone Alex Wilkerson, trumpet
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