Mary Frances Early College of Education

06/01/2026

MFECOE and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute invite you to join us at the Southern Regional Conference for Learning in Retirement. This conference will be held July 27 – 29 at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education.

We will be hosting six out-of-conference sessions. Four of these sessions will take place before the conference for those interested in exploring Athens, including visits to the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and the Botanical Gardens. During the conference, attendees will have the opportunity to attend the OLLI@UGA Summer Film Series on Tuesday, July 28, at 1:30 p.m., as well as a streaming of the Osher at Dartmouth Summer Lecture Series on Wednesday, July 29, at 9 a.m.

To register, please use the link below.
https://mfecoe.com/SouthernConference

05/29/2026

Calling all alumni who are trailblazers in entrepreneurship:
Nominations for the 2027 Bulldog 100 are open now through July 31. Submit your nominations at https://my.reviewr.com/s2/site/bulldog_nom_27?redir=micrositedesign.

05/28/2026

Congratulations to Javad Anjum, an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Special Education and the Speech and Hearing Clinic, for being named a 2026-27 Fulbright U.S. Scholar. As a Fulbright scholar, Anjum will travel to Mysuru District, India, to develop and implement a cognitive enhancement program for older adults.

“From rural Georgia to Mysuru, one of the most urgent challenges of global aging is creating accessible, community-based programs to prevent cognitive decline and dementia among older adults,” Anjum said. “I see this Fulbright award as an opportunity to help develop these programs into more sustainable initiatives through continued collaboration between the MFECOE and JSSAHER and our local communities in both countries.”

To read more about this accomplishment, please click the link below.
https://mfecoe.com/52926

05/26/2026

Congratulations to Brittney Kilgore (Ph.D. '27) for recently receiving awards and recognition from the National Academy of Education and Spencer Foundation, the University of Georgia, and the MFECOE Three Minute Thesis Competition for her research.

To learn more about Brittney's research and each specific award, please click the link below.
https://mfecoe.com/52626

05/22/2026

Through the GROUP GEMS Project, the is providing scholarships for 34 STEM teachers who will go on to teach in high-need schools. This project is funded by the National Science Foundation’s Robert Noyce Scholarship program, which focuses on recruiting, preparing, and supporting secondary teachers with backgrounds in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and more. “Noyce scholars have their early teaching experiences in schools with teachers who have embraced Georgia’s standards. This experience ensures the scholars are well-started as teachers in their early years," said Julie Luft, Athletic Association Professor of Science Education and Distinguished Research Professor, who is leading the project.

For master’s student Ava Kitchens, GROUP GEMS allows her to collaborate with STEM teachers on designing lessons that encourage critical thinking, data interpretation, and problem solving in students with diverse backgrounds. “I truly believe every student has the potential to succeed, but not all of them have access to the same opportunities or support,” she said. “I want to be someone who helps guide students, especially those who may need extra encouragement. That is what draws me to teach in Title I schools.”

To learn more about this project and how Luft plans to expand this project further, please click the link below.
https://mfecoe.com/52226

05/21/2026

What if addictive behaviors in college students are less about “bad choices” and more about how the autonomic nervous system responds to trauma?

Research from Amanda Giordano, associate professor of counseling and human development services, is exploring how hyperarousal (fight-or-flight) and hypoarousal (emotional freeze) may predict behaviors ranging from substance use to social media addiction. These findings could help reshape how counselors and universities approach prevention and treatment.

Learn more about the research and its implications for counseling and student well-being: https://mfecoe.com/52126

What does meaningful mental health support for students look like to you?

05/21/2026

We want to thank Michael Cheney and the UGA Alumni Sports Industry Council for supporting our students!

From accounting and international business to sports marketing and brand partnerships, the career trajectory that Michael Cheney (MAcc ’86) has been on is a reminder that some of the most impactful professional journeys are built through curiosity, adaptability and relationships.

A Terry College alumnus and founding president of the UGA Alumni Sports Industry Council, Cheney helped redefine how global brands like the Coca-Cola Company and VISA engage with sports fans through partnerships with organizations including the National Basketball Association (NBA), National Hockey League (NHL), FIFA World Cup and Olympic Games. Today, he is helping the next generation of students navigate the evolving world of sports business by connecting them with mentors, internships and industry leaders across the profession.

Through the work of the UGA Alumni Sports Industry Council, students are gaining firsthand insight into the many pathways within the sports industry while building the professional networks that turn ambition into opportunity — a powerful example of the collaborative and career-focused learning environment that defines the University of Georgia.

-

J.M. Tull School of Accounting at University of Georgia

05/19/2026

We want to congratulate Ashley Johnson Harrison, a professor in the Department of Educational Psychology, for receiving a Fulbright Specialist Award from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs to complete a project at the Universiti Sains Malaysia in Malaysia.

Recipients of Fulbright Specialist Awards are selected based on academic and professional achievement, demonstrated leadership in their field, and their potential to foster long-term cooperation between institutions in the U.S. and abroad.

As a Fulbright scholar, Harrison will address these critical global issues, while building relationships, knowledge, and leadership in support of the long-term interests of the country.

To learn more about this achievement, please click the link below.
https://mfecoe.com/51922

05/15/2026

Are you interested in incorporating coding and robotics into your classroom? The Department of Mathematics and Science Education is accepting applications for a workshop for 3rd-5th-grade math and science teachers. The workshop will take place June 8 - 11, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Teachers who attend will be eligible to receive a $750 stipend.

For more information, see https://bit.ly/COMSInfo.
To apply, please fill out this form: https://bit.ly/COMSWorkshop.
Contact AnnaMarie Conner ([email protected]) with questions.

05/15/2026

Congratulations to our alumna, Jennifer Scott (M.Ed. '98, Ed.D. '17), on being chosen as the sole finalist in the superintendent search for Clarke County School District. Join us in celebrating this exciting milestone and wishing Jennifer continued success in this next chapter of her career!

NEWS: At its Thursday, May 14 meeting, the Clarke County Board of Education selected Dr. Jennifer Scott as the sole finalist for the position of Superintendent of the Clarke County School District, a position she has held on an interim basis since July 2025.

Under state law, the board must now wait at least 14 calendar days before holding a final vote. A called meeting for a vote on hiring and approving a contract with Dr. Scott will be announced at a later date. Pending final approval of the board at that meeting, Dr. Scott’s promotion to the position full-time will take effect immediately.

“The CCSD Board of Education is pleased to advance Dr. Jennifer Scott as the sole finalist for Superintendent,” said Board President Dr. Mumbi Anderson. “Following a comprehensive national search process—one that included stakeholder surveys, careful consideration of the leadership qualities needed to advance our strategic plan, and extensive board deliberations—we are confident that the strongest candidate to lead our district is already serving our community. Dr. Scott’s progression from classroom teacher to district leader, coupled with her deep roots in Athens, uniquely positions her to assume this role with both immediate effectiveness and a strong understanding of our community’s needs. Her experience, commitment, and vision align closely with the district’s priorities and future direction. The Board is enthusiastic about taking this important next step with Dr. Scott.”

“I am honored and grateful to the Clarke County Board of Education for the trust and confidence they have placed in me as the sole finalist for Superintendent,” said Dr. Scott. “Serving the students of CCSD has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. I remain committed to building upon the strong foundation already in place as we continue raising the bar in pursuit of excellence for every student, in every classroom, every day. I look forward to continuing this work alongside our school board, teachers, staff, families, and community.”

Read the full press release at the link in the comments.