Carlow Education

04/22/2026

Student Highlight: Meet Emily Warren

Today, we are proud to feature Emily Warren, a graduate student in Carlow's Special Education program. As the middle school science teacher at The Campus Laboratory School right here on Carlow's campus, Emily perfectly represents the Carlow Scholar-Practitioner—applying her graduate research directly to her classroom in real-time.

Current Role: Middle School Science Teacher, The Campus Laboratory School at Carlow University

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA

A Mission-Driven Choice
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Emily chose Carlow for its reputation in Special Education and its dedication to preparing educators who make a meaningful impact. For Emily, Carlow isn't just a university; it’s a community where passion meets practice.

The Carlow Commitment
Rooted in our Mercy values, our faculty are more than instructors—they are mentors. Emily has been moved by their dedication: "I love the depth of knowledge and experience the professors bring. I truly see their passion for the field and their commitment to making sure each student is successful both professionally and personally."

Impactful Experiences
A defining moment for Emily was attending the Dyslexia Conference this past October. She returned to her classroom energized, immediately applying what she learned about systematic, explicit instruction to support her science students.

Reflecting on the Journey
"Being part of Carlow’s Special Education Program has really strengthened my confidence as a teacher and deepened my commitment to creating an inclusive, supportive learning environment for all students."

🌟 Your Journey in Special Education Starts Here🌟
Whether you are beginning your career or looking to advance like Emily, Carlow offers flexible, fully online pathways to help you transform lives:

Undergraduate: Our B.A. in Special Education (Online or Onsite) provides a strong foundation in advocacy, learner variability and evidence-based instruction.

Graduate: Advance your practice with our Fully Online Graduate Certificate or M.Ed. in Special Education, designed for the working educator.

Visit: https://www.carlow.edu/education-social-work/

04/21/2026

Meet Julia Hager, a graduate student in our Special Education program. Julia is currently balancing her role as an educator with her graduate studies.

Current Role: Emotional Support Teacher (Grades 6–8), Bethlehem Area School District

Hometown: West Grove, PA

A Mission-Driven Choice
When Julia needed to transition her teaching certification from Virginia to Pennsylvania, she sought a program that offered academic excellence and practical convenience. Recommended by a colleague, Carlow’s fully remote format allowed her to continue her vital work in the classroom while pursuing her certification.

The Carlow Commitment
Rooted in our Mercy values, our faculty strive to be caring and knowledgeable mentors. Julia has experienced this firsthand: "I love how the professors truly go the extra mile," she shared. "The content is action-oriented and immediately applicable to the students I serve every day."

Building Community
Even in a digital space, Julia has found the connection that defines the Carlow experience. "Getting to know other classmates through Zoom and Teams has been so rewarding. Having a community of peers to collaborate with—even from miles away—makes this journey feel welcoming."

Reflecting on the Journey
"As a full-time teacher, I was nervous about graduate school. But I knew quickly that I was in the perfect place with people who understood my mission. I am forever grateful."

🌟 Your Journey in Special Education Starts Here🌟
Whether you are starting your career or looking to advance it, Carlow offers flexible, fully online pathways to help you make an impact:

Undergraduate: Our B.A. in Special Education (Online) is designed for those ready to enter the field with a strong foundation in special education.

Graduate: Advance your expertise with our Fully Online Graduate Certificate or M.Ed. in Special Education, perfect for working teachers like Julia.

Explore our programs: https://www.carlow.edu/academic-programs/med/masters-education-special-education/

Thank you, Julia, for your dedication! Follow her journey on Instagram:

04/15/2026

Student Spotlight: Advancing Practice Through Scholarship

Meet Darrah Rhinehart, a doctoral student in Carlow University’s Ed.D. program in Curriculum and Learning and a dedicated high school English teacher with nearly two decades of experience.

Darrah teaches senior level Honors and AP English at North Allegheny School District, where she helps students develop deep analysis of complex texts and strong, sophisticated writing. She also contributes to curriculum development and supports students through the college application process.

Darrah recently presented at the WPCTE Conference as part of a collaborative team, leading a session titled Building High School Reading Communities. This month, she and two colleagues will present at the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association. Her work reflects a deep commitment to fostering authentic engagement with reading and creating classroom cultures where students see themselves as readers.

Her journey with Carlow began with teacher certification, and she returned for her doctorate because of the program’s rigor, reflection, and strong sense of community.

“The courses are thoughtfully designed, allowing space for reflection and growth alongside deep scholarly engagement. The work is challenging in the best way. It has strengthened me as a teacher and as a person.”

Darrah describes experiences like the Carlow Summer Institute and doctoral seminars as transformational, bringing together scholarship and meaningful connection with peers.

Currently, she is reading Jane Austen’s Bookshelf by Rebecca Romney, continuing her exploration of literary voices and the stories that shape our understanding of the canon.

At Carlow, we are proud to support educators like Darrah, professionals who bring experience, intellectual curiosity, and a deep commitment to students into their doctoral work and back into their classrooms.

04/07/2026

The Atkins Center for Ethics is sponsoring a viewing of the film SHUFFLE on April 21, 2026, at 5:30 pm in the Gailliot Center followed by a panel discussion including the filmmaker.

The documentary offers an intimate and urgent look at addiction in America through filmmaker Benjamin Flaherty’s own recovery journey. The film follows three individuals navigating the treatment and recovery system and examines the insurance-driven cycle of treatment fraud and its devastating consequences. Given the role of healthcare professionals in prevention, treatment, advocacy, and systems-level change, the film has strong relevance across nursing, social work, allied health professions, and healthcare management. For context, the trailer is available here: https://youtu.be/ZNy0_Elm-Ts?si=aiR0p-UqW4OsfR1m

Individuals can register for the event using this link: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=8dW1QIPCVkuxZE0CPEXFrp_nVS0dSrJOmr2GO93s-fFUOFJTNFQyOU81TDRQTVpVMThQUURaQUoyWi4u&route=shorturl

There is an option for virtual attendance as well.

Through the lens of his own recovery, a filmmaker’s character-driven look inside the billion dollar addiction treatment industry where clients are bought and...

03/28/2026

Student Feature
“I feel like I won the lottery of graduate programs." -- Caroline Killam

Caroline Killam, a Reading Specialist at Pennwood Cyber Charter School, is continuing her journey in literacy leadership through Carlow University’s EdD in Literacy program. Now based in Indiana, Pennsylvania, but originally from Sea Cliff, Long Island, Caroline brings both passion and expertise to her work supporting students in developing strong reading skills.

Caroline was first introduced to Carlow through a close friendship that ultimately shaped both of their professional paths. “I encouraged my good friend, Sara Failor, to go back to school to earn her MSW,” Caroline shares. “She found Carlow and then encouraged me to take a look. I fell in love with the MEd program. We are both proud to say that we are Carlow graduates."

Carlow’s program offerings aligned seamlessly with Caroline’s goals. “It was exactly what I was looking for: online, in the evenings, aligned with the Science of Reading, and IDA-accredited with dyslexia certification,” she explains. What began as a single course quickly grew into a full commitment to the MEd program.

Supported by the Peirce Family Foundation Scholarship, Caroline completed her MEd in Reading Specialist in 2024 and continued directly into the EdD in Literacy program. She credits the faculty and mentorship, particularly her advisor, Val Piccini, for inspiring her to pursue doctoral study. “I feel like I won the lottery of graduate programs,” she says. “It is a challenging, wonderful experience.”

Reflecting on her experience, Caroline expresses deep gratitude for her professors and strongly recommends the program to others. “I highly recommend the MEd in Reading Specialist and the EdD in Literacy programs—they have exceeded my expectations.”

To learn more about Carlow's EdD program, join us for an Open House on April 1st:
https://lnkd.in/epnFfuRV

or visit: https://lnkd.in/eG2Xgmnt

03/23/2026

Diamond Davis MEd is a Pittsburgh native whose commitment to early childhood education is deeply rooted in both personal experience and professional purpose. Raised by her mother and grandmother, she credits these two strong women with shaping the person she is today. “I’m proud to be the first in my immediate family to graduate from college,” she shares. “It’s something that means a lot to me and motivates me to keep pushing forward.”

Diamond currently serves as a Family Services Specialist for the Early Head Start Program within Pittsburgh Public Schools’ Early Childhood Program. In this role, she recruits and enrolls families—particularly community parents and teen parents—into a high-quality early childhood program.

Diamond first chose Carlow after hearing strong recommendations from colleagues who attended the program. Since enrolling, she has found the faculty and learning environment both supportive and empowering. “All of my professors have been incredibly supportive and helpful,” she says. “I wouldn’t have been able to enter my current program without the Power of One Grant.”
One of the most meaningful experiences during her studies was completing her internship for the Early Childhood Supervision program. The hands-on experience confirmed she is on the right career path. She also credits Dr. David Price as an important mentor throughout both of her graduate programs. His classes, she notes, encourage meaningful discussions and real-world connections that deepen understanding of the field. Diamond graduated in August 2025 with her MEd in Early Childhood Supevision and has returned to complete her teaching certification in Early Childhood and Elementary.

For prospective students, Diamond says Carlow offers more than a degree. “It truly feels like a community that wants to see you succeed,” she says. “The professors are supportive, understanding, and genuinely invested in your growth.”

Interested in preparing for leadership in early childhood education? Learn more about Carlow University’s graduate programs in Early Childhood Education and Supervision. Contact Ann Bisignani, or visit:
https://lnkd.in/eQUxB5xw

03/20/2026

We are thrilled to welcome our new Grants Manager and Resource Specialist to the College of Education and Social Work!

DaMarra King, MBA currently serves as the Grants Manager and Resource Specialist at Carlow University. In this role, she identifies, secures, and manages funding opportunities that advance the mission and strategic priorities of the College of Education and Social Work. Her work focuses on aligning institutional priorities with external funding, supporting program development, and strengthening partnerships that expand access, innovation, and long-term sustainability.

Prior to joining Carlow University, DaMarra served as the Birth to Five Manager for the Allegheny County Department of Children Initiatives where she led multi-million-dollar investments in early childhood systems and championed equitable access to early learning opportunities for families across the region. Her leadership supported initiatives that expanded high-quality early learning access, strengthened family support systems, and built sustainable community partnerships.

With a career spanning education, human services, grants management, and community engagement, DaMarra has held roles as a teacher, caseworker, kinship navigator, family coordinator, family engagement services supervisor, and public-sector grant leader. She has a proven track record of securing and stewarding funding, managing cross-sector collaborations, and developing strategic initiatives that drive measurable impact for children, families, and communities.

DaMarra holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Sports, Arts, and Entertainment Management from Point Park University and a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Howard University.

DaMarra is so excited to have joined the Carlow Community and looks forward to advancing the university’s mission while upholding its commitment to service, ethical leadership, and transformative education.

03/18/2026

Congratulations to Hayley!

🌟 : Hayley Butler 🌟

Meet Hayley Butler, a 2025–2026 Teach Plus Pennsylvania Policy Fellow and early childhood preschool teacher in Crafton, PA.

Hayley is a passionate advocate for early childhood education, working to raise awareness and support for young learners both inside and outside the classroom. She has helped organize several community-focused initiatives, including the Highmark Community Walk with Trying Together and the Polar Plunge with Special Olympics, and has supported families through programs like Secret Santa for the Children’s Hospital Radiology Unit.

In addition to her work in early learning, Hayley previously served as the head coach of the cheerleading program at Chatham University and completed the 2024–2025 Advocacy Fellowship with Trying Together.

Hayley holds a Child Development Associate credential from Trying Together and is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Early Learning and Development at Carlow University. Her dedication to advocacy and early education continues to make a meaningful impact on children, families, and communities.

03/15/2026

We are getting excited for Day of Giving!

You can choose to direct your gift and specify the program it will benefit.
https://www.carlow.edu/alumni-old/support-carlow/give/day-of-giving/

03/13/2026

Save the Date!

We are proud of our meaningful community partnerships and the way they strengthen our students and programs.