CELEBRATION OF EDUCATORS
Saturday, May 13, 2023
2:00–4:30 p.m.
Today’s event will feature an engaging panel discussion with outgoing Dean Pam Grossman and recognition of the 2023 Education Alumni Award recipients, along with nominees and recipients of other annual awards given by the School. We will also honor Penn GSE alumni teachers who are celebrating at least their fifth year in the classroom. A reception to celebrate and (re)connect with our community follows.
Please note that the below information may have been edited for style and space guidelines.
PANELISTS
Dean Pam Grossman
George and Diane Weiss Professor of Education
George and Diane Weiss Professor of Education
Pam Grossman is the dean of the Graduate School of Education and the George and Diane Weiss Professor of Education at the University of Pennsylvania. A distinguished scholar, she came to Penn from Stanford University’s School of Education, where she was the Nomellini-Olivier Professor of Education. At Stanford she founded and led the Center to Support Excellence in Teaching and established the Hollyhock Fellowship for early career teachers in underserved schools. Before joining Stanford, she was the Boeing Professor of Teacher Education at the University of Washington.
Dean Grossman’s research focuses on the preparation of teachers and other professionals and issues of instructional quality, particularly in English Language Arts. Her most recent work examines practice-based teacher education and the role of core practices of teaching in teacher preparation and professional development. She has authored or edited five books including her most recent co-authored book, Core Practices for Project-Based Learning: A Guide for Teachers and Leaders (Harvard Education Press, 2021). Grossman has served on numerous boards and executive committees for professional organizations and foundations, including the American Educational Research Association, the Spencer Foundation, and the Carnegie Foundation of Advancement of Teaching. She currently serves as vice president of the National Academy of Education.
Dean Grossman’s research focuses on the preparation of teachers and other professionals and issues of instructional quality, particularly in English Language Arts. Her most recent work examines practice-based teacher education and the role of core practices of teaching in teacher preparation and professional development. She has authored or edited five books including her most recent co-authored book, Core Practices for Project-Based Learning: A Guide for Teachers and Leaders (Harvard Education Press, 2021). Grossman has served on numerous boards and executive committees for professional organizations and foundations, including the American Educational Research Association, the Spencer Foundation, and the Carnegie Foundation of Advancement of Teaching. She currently serves as vice president of the National Academy of Education.
Patricia Grant, GED’01, GRD’04
Alumna and member of the Penn GSE Board of Advisors
Alumna and member of the Penn GSE Board of Advisors
Patricia Grant is dean for the undergraduate program at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. Grant is passionate about student success, integrating Jesuit values into undergraduate education, and creating high-impact student experiences.
At Georgetown McDonough, she has revamped the undergraduate advising structure in the spirit of cura personalis to bolster the advisor-student relationship; expanded career trek opportunities through the McDonough Career Development Center; laid the groundwork for a young alumni advisory group; launched the Know Before You Go Transition Lab, aimed at successfully transitioning seniors into their alumni status; and contributed to many curricular innovations, including the Entrepreneurship Fellows Program and the First-Year Seminar Program.
She also was instrumental in creating a variety of diversity and inclusion initiatives. They include Smart Start, a corporate partnership with PwC that equips BIPOC students with the tools for academic, personal, and professional success; and Business Undergraduates Invested in Leadership and Development (BUILD), an intensive academic and leadership development opportunity for a diverse group of business students.
Grant joined Georgetown McDonough in 2010 and has more than 25 years of experience in undergraduate, graduate, and executive education program administration. She has taught courses for undergraduate and graduate students in the areas of organizational change, case studies in higher education management, research methods, and diversity and inclusion at the University of Pennsylvania, the College of New Jersey, Temple University, and Georgetown. Additionally, she worked in the Office of Executive Education at Penn to develop and launch six master’s and doctoral programs in partnership with the Wharton School and Graduate School of Education.
Grant has presented on diversity and inclusion, student access and success, and change management at a variety of institutions and conferences including the National Undergraduate Business Symposium (NUBS), the US Department of State, the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, and the Association for the Study of Higher Education.
She holds an EdD and MSEd from the University of Pennsylvania, MBA from Brown University, and an A.B. from Cornell University.
At Georgetown McDonough, she has revamped the undergraduate advising structure in the spirit of cura personalis to bolster the advisor-student relationship; expanded career trek opportunities through the McDonough Career Development Center; laid the groundwork for a young alumni advisory group; launched the Know Before You Go Transition Lab, aimed at successfully transitioning seniors into their alumni status; and contributed to many curricular innovations, including the Entrepreneurship Fellows Program and the First-Year Seminar Program.
She also was instrumental in creating a variety of diversity and inclusion initiatives. They include Smart Start, a corporate partnership with PwC that equips BIPOC students with the tools for academic, personal, and professional success; and Business Undergraduates Invested in Leadership and Development (BUILD), an intensive academic and leadership development opportunity for a diverse group of business students.
Grant joined Georgetown McDonough in 2010 and has more than 25 years of experience in undergraduate, graduate, and executive education program administration. She has taught courses for undergraduate and graduate students in the areas of organizational change, case studies in higher education management, research methods, and diversity and inclusion at the University of Pennsylvania, the College of New Jersey, Temple University, and Georgetown. Additionally, she worked in the Office of Executive Education at Penn to develop and launch six master’s and doctoral programs in partnership with the Wharton School and Graduate School of Education.
Grant has presented on diversity and inclusion, student access and success, and change management at a variety of institutions and conferences including the National Undergraduate Business Symposium (NUBS), the US Department of State, the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, and the Association for the Study of Higher Education.
She holds an EdD and MSEd from the University of Pennsylvania, MBA from Brown University, and an A.B. from Cornell University.
Tamir D. Harper, GED’24
Current student in Penn GSE's Urban Teaching Residency Program
Current student in Penn GSE's Urban Teaching Residency Program
Tamir Harper, is an educator and education consultant in the Philadelphia area. He currently teaches eighth-grade students English, social studies, and writing at the Henry C. Lea School in West Philly. Harper believes that teaching is social justice, political, and a form of protest.
At 16 years old, Harper co-founded UrbEd Inc., one of Philadelphia’s only youth-led, youth-run 501c3 organizations advocating for education justice. During his tenure as founding executive director, Harper led the organization to disband the state-run school board, fundraised hundreds of thousands of dollars, and developed the organization to be the go-to student-led education advocacy organization.
Harper's work has given him the honor to share his message with GMA 3, ABC News, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and a host of other media outlets. He has also been able to meet with a host of students, and share the stage with First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Kamala Harris, a number of school leaders, and the former Secretary of Education John King, Jr. He is currently pursuing his master’s in education at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education. Harper is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, where he served as the immediate past assistant vice president and member of the general board of directors.
At 16 years old, Harper co-founded UrbEd Inc., one of Philadelphia’s only youth-led, youth-run 501c3 organizations advocating for education justice. During his tenure as founding executive director, Harper led the organization to disband the state-run school board, fundraised hundreds of thousands of dollars, and developed the organization to be the go-to student-led education advocacy organization.
Harper's work has given him the honor to share his message with GMA 3, ABC News, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and a host of other media outlets. He has also been able to meet with a host of students, and share the stage with First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Kamala Harris, a number of school leaders, and the former Secretary of Education John King, Jr. He is currently pursuing his master’s in education at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education. Harper is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, where he served as the immediate past assistant vice president and member of the general board of directors.
Abby Reisman
Associate Professor in the Teaching, Learning, and Leadership Division
Associate Professor in the Teaching, Learning, and Leadership Division
Abby Reisman is an associate professor in the Teaching, Learning, and Leadership division at Penn GSE. Her research focuses on the teaching and learning of history/ social studies. She’s especially interested in curricular materials and professional development experiences that support teachers to engage students in animated discussions about the past. She began her career in education as a classroom teacher in a small, progressive high school in New York City.
Reisman’s current projects examine teacher learning in different contexts. In an ongoing design-based implementation project, she is collaborating with a group of history teacher leaders to build an instructional coaching model focused on document-based history instruction using online video analysis tools. She recently received funding from the James S. McDonnell Foundation for a longitudinal study of novice teachers’ discussion facilitation practices that follows them into their first two years of teaching. The products of this work will include an online repository of teacher-annotated videos of social studies discussion to be used in teacher-led professional development.
Reisman’s current projects examine teacher learning in different contexts. In an ongoing design-based implementation project, she is collaborating with a group of history teacher leaders to build an instructional coaching model focused on document-based history instruction using online video analysis tools. She recently received funding from the James S. McDonnell Foundation for a longitudinal study of novice teachers’ discussion facilitation practices that follows them into their first two years of teaching. The products of this work will include an online repository of teacher-annotated videos of social studies discussion to be used in teacher-led professional development.
EDUCATION ALUMNI AWARD RECIPIENTS
These awards recognize the outstanding accomplishments made by members of our community across the field of education and around the globe.
These awards recognize the outstanding accomplishments made by members of our community across the field of education and around the globe.
Educator of the Year
Joy Anderson Davis, C'96, GRD'17
This award recognizes an outstanding graduate who demonstrates unusual involvement in and commitment to identifying and helping to resolve school problems and current issues in education. The recipient of this award must be a dedicated educator who is an inspiration, risk-taker, innovator, and role model and who demonstrates a commitment to the betterment of Penn GSE.
Joy Anderson Davis, C'96, GRD'17
This award recognizes an outstanding graduate who demonstrates unusual involvement in and commitment to identifying and helping to resolve school problems and current issues in education. The recipient of this award must be a dedicated educator who is an inspiration, risk-taker, innovator, and role model and who demonstrates a commitment to the betterment of Penn GSE.
Joy Anderson Davis currently serves as a senior instructional coach for the Responsive Math Teaching Project (RMT) at Penn GSE. In her current role, she works with teacher leaders, teachers, and principals in the School District of Philadelphia’s Learning Network Two to develop school-based math leaders as professional development facilitators and classroom coaches. As a former Philadelphia public school teacher, she also works directly with classroom teachers to support their implementation of approaches to math instruction that are responsive to student thinking.
In addition to supporting RMT, Davis’ work at Penn includes serving as the Penn math consultant to the Henry C. Lea Elementary School, where she is currently supporting the development of a school-day math tutoring program staffed by Penn students. She has, for the past two years, led the development and implementation of the math component of the Netter Center/Penn GSE summer program. This program, funded by Penn Projects for Progress and the William Penn Foundation, serves West Philadelphia students and has been hosted by both the Penn Alexander and Andrew Hamilton elementary schools. Since 2021, she’s had the privilege of partnering with the Julia Robinson Math Festival to promote joyful math experiences for children and adults.
Davis’ path to a career in education began with the many teachers in her family and church, who primed her from a young age for what would become her chosen field. She began tutoring at age 16, and, once at Penn as an undergraduate, she became engaged with the Netter Center for Community Partnerships, tutoring at John P. Turner Middle School. She credits the mentors she had during her time as an undergraduate at Penn for setting her path in motion–culminating in working at the Center for Health Achievement, Neighborhood Growth, and Ethnic Studies under Dr. Margaret Beale Spencer and being chosen as Rockerfeller Brothers Fund Teaching Fellow. These key figures and experiences helped her make inroads in the field and gave her access to different perspectives on what education could be.
Prior to joining the RMT, Davis spent eight years serving as a math education consultant with Pearson Education, currently operating as the Savaas Learning Company, where she provided professional development services to school districts across the US, training educators on materials, content, process, best practices, and instructional strategies relating to elementary math. In partnership with her husband, she subsequently launched the RodJoy Group providing customized math consulting services to schools in Philadelphia, Chester, and New Jersey. Davis has also served as an adjunct at both Drexel University and LaSalle University, teaching math classes for pre-service teachers.
Her passion for math includes engaging and empowering parents as their children’s first math teachers. In this effort, she has facilitated workshops designed to support parents and caregivers as partners in their children’s math education.
Davis is a West Philadelphia native who graduated from Central High School. She received both her bachelor's degree and doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania, and her master's degree from Teachers College, Columbia University. She resides in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Rodlin, and three children, Taliyah, Lauryn, and Justin.
From Joy: I am truly grateful to have been selected for this award and fully aware of the many others whose work merits recognition. I thank God for my incredibly supportive family, immediate, extended, and church family, as well as the amazing team of women at RMT. I have learned so much from all of them and have been the recipient of a lot of love and encouragement. My hope is to share that with others and to be a support to the amazing educators, both serving, and, in the pipeline, who have a passion for K–12 education.
In addition to supporting RMT, Davis’ work at Penn includes serving as the Penn math consultant to the Henry C. Lea Elementary School, where she is currently supporting the development of a school-day math tutoring program staffed by Penn students. She has, for the past two years, led the development and implementation of the math component of the Netter Center/Penn GSE summer program. This program, funded by Penn Projects for Progress and the William Penn Foundation, serves West Philadelphia students and has been hosted by both the Penn Alexander and Andrew Hamilton elementary schools. Since 2021, she’s had the privilege of partnering with the Julia Robinson Math Festival to promote joyful math experiences for children and adults.
Davis’ path to a career in education began with the many teachers in her family and church, who primed her from a young age for what would become her chosen field. She began tutoring at age 16, and, once at Penn as an undergraduate, she became engaged with the Netter Center for Community Partnerships, tutoring at John P. Turner Middle School. She credits the mentors she had during her time as an undergraduate at Penn for setting her path in motion–culminating in working at the Center for Health Achievement, Neighborhood Growth, and Ethnic Studies under Dr. Margaret Beale Spencer and being chosen as Rockerfeller Brothers Fund Teaching Fellow. These key figures and experiences helped her make inroads in the field and gave her access to different perspectives on what education could be.
Prior to joining the RMT, Davis spent eight years serving as a math education consultant with Pearson Education, currently operating as the Savaas Learning Company, where she provided professional development services to school districts across the US, training educators on materials, content, process, best practices, and instructional strategies relating to elementary math. In partnership with her husband, she subsequently launched the RodJoy Group providing customized math consulting services to schools in Philadelphia, Chester, and New Jersey. Davis has also served as an adjunct at both Drexel University and LaSalle University, teaching math classes for pre-service teachers.
Her passion for math includes engaging and empowering parents as their children’s first math teachers. In this effort, she has facilitated workshops designed to support parents and caregivers as partners in their children’s math education.
Davis is a West Philadelphia native who graduated from Central High School. She received both her bachelor's degree and doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania, and her master's degree from Teachers College, Columbia University. She resides in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Rodlin, and three children, Taliyah, Lauryn, and Justin.
From Joy: I am truly grateful to have been selected for this award and fully aware of the many others whose work merits recognition. I thank God for my incredibly supportive family, immediate, extended, and church family, as well as the amazing team of women at RMT. I have learned so much from all of them and have been the recipient of a lot of love and encouragement. My hope is to share that with others and to be a support to the amazing educators, both serving, and, in the pipeline, who have a passion for K–12 education.
Helen C. Bailey Award
Daniel Rice, GED'20
This award recognizes an outstanding graduate who has brought recognition and status to Penn GSE and the University of Pennsylvania. The recipient of this award must have made a distinctive contribution to the field of education and Penn GSE, including but not limited to contributions made through research, exceptional professional involvement, or publications.
Daniel Rice, GED'20
This award recognizes an outstanding graduate who has brought recognition and status to Penn GSE and the University of Pennsylvania. The recipient of this award must have made a distinctive contribution to the field of education and Penn GSE, including but not limited to contributions made through research, exceptional professional involvement, or publications.
Daniel Rice is the co-president of Thayer Leadership. In March 2023, he was appointed president of the American University Kyiv, powered by Arizona State University, the first American-accredited university in Ukraine. A graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, he previously served as the special advisor to the commander in chief of the Ukraine Armed Forces, General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, and had traveled between Washington, DC, and Kyiv throughout the Russian invasion of Ukraine from March 2022–March 2023.
In 2010, Rice co-founded Thayer Leadership along with four other West Point graduates with the mission of bringing the world to West Point and bringing West Point leadership to the world. Over the past 13 years, Thayer has grown steadily, becoming one of the top 40 leader-development companies in the world, according to Training Industry.
As a lifelong learner, he has earned master's degrees in management (Kellogg, MBA), integrated marketing and communications (Medill, MS), and leadership and learning (Penn GSE, MSEd). He has also completed his doctoral classes in the EdD program at Penn GSE. Rice is a graduate of Airborne, Ranger, and Jungle Schools, and served two one-year tours in the Middle East. After completing his Army commitment, he entered the private sector, serving as chief marketing officer for a $500 million medical device manufacturer, managing director of a $10 billion investment firm, co-founder of a private equity firm in Iraq, and co-founder of a solar hybrid company in Afghanistan.
In 2004, Rice voluntarily joined the New York National Guard as an infantry captain to deploy to Iraq, where he served for a year as a civil affairs officer at Forward Operating Base Danger in Tikrit. He was awarded the Purple Heart and cited by his brigade commander for “courage on the field of battle.”
Rice has published in the Wall Street Journal, Small Wars Journal, and Chief Executive. In 2013, he published his first book, West Point Leadership: Profiles of Courage, which features 200 West Point graduates who have helped shape America. The book received three literary awards from the Independent Book Publishers Association and an award from the Military Society Writers of America (MSWA). He has appeared frequently on television including CNN, FOX News, Bloomberg TV, NBC, MSNBC, The Today Show, and Newsmax.
From Dan: Receiving the Helen C. Bailey Award is an incredible honor. I’d like to thank Dr. Raghu Krishnamoorthy, Dr. Annie McKee, Dr. Kandi Weins, Dr. Karen Kuhla McClone, General Dennis Reimer, LTG Frank Kearney and Colonel Lee Van Arsdale for being such great educators and mentors over the years. I’d also like to thank General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, Commander in Chief Ukraine Armed Forces and General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Major General Brian Mennes, for their trust in me throughout the past year. Thanks to Doug Becker, Ambassador Kurt Volker and Rick Shangraw, for entrusting me as the President American University Kyiv. Love and thanks my mother Bonnie, and my late father, Jim, who are incredible role models for me to follow. And thanks to my friend Dr. Liudmyla Dolhonovska, who I worked with for one year with the Ukrainian Armed Forces and who has joined us as Chief of Staff of American University Kyiv. To the University of Pennsylvania and our alumni, I’m humbled and honored to receive this Helen C. Bailey Award. I do not believe I am personally worthy of this individual award, but appreciate the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education awarding me the award for my roles in Ukraine. Therefore, I accept the award, as the custodian of the award, on behalf of the Ukrainian people, the Ukrainian Armed Force,s and the American University Kyiv.
In 2010, Rice co-founded Thayer Leadership along with four other West Point graduates with the mission of bringing the world to West Point and bringing West Point leadership to the world. Over the past 13 years, Thayer has grown steadily, becoming one of the top 40 leader-development companies in the world, according to Training Industry.
As a lifelong learner, he has earned master's degrees in management (Kellogg, MBA), integrated marketing and communications (Medill, MS), and leadership and learning (Penn GSE, MSEd). He has also completed his doctoral classes in the EdD program at Penn GSE. Rice is a graduate of Airborne, Ranger, and Jungle Schools, and served two one-year tours in the Middle East. After completing his Army commitment, he entered the private sector, serving as chief marketing officer for a $500 million medical device manufacturer, managing director of a $10 billion investment firm, co-founder of a private equity firm in Iraq, and co-founder of a solar hybrid company in Afghanistan.
In 2004, Rice voluntarily joined the New York National Guard as an infantry captain to deploy to Iraq, where he served for a year as a civil affairs officer at Forward Operating Base Danger in Tikrit. He was awarded the Purple Heart and cited by his brigade commander for “courage on the field of battle.”
Rice has published in the Wall Street Journal, Small Wars Journal, and Chief Executive. In 2013, he published his first book, West Point Leadership: Profiles of Courage, which features 200 West Point graduates who have helped shape America. The book received three literary awards from the Independent Book Publishers Association and an award from the Military Society Writers of America (MSWA). He has appeared frequently on television including CNN, FOX News, Bloomberg TV, NBC, MSNBC, The Today Show, and Newsmax.
From Dan: Receiving the Helen C. Bailey Award is an incredible honor. I’d like to thank Dr. Raghu Krishnamoorthy, Dr. Annie McKee, Dr. Kandi Weins, Dr. Karen Kuhla McClone, General Dennis Reimer, LTG Frank Kearney and Colonel Lee Van Arsdale for being such great educators and mentors over the years. I’d also like to thank General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, Commander in Chief Ukraine Armed Forces and General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Major General Brian Mennes, for their trust in me throughout the past year. Thanks to Doug Becker, Ambassador Kurt Volker and Rick Shangraw, for entrusting me as the President American University Kyiv. Love and thanks my mother Bonnie, and my late father, Jim, who are incredible role models for me to follow. And thanks to my friend Dr. Liudmyla Dolhonovska, who I worked with for one year with the Ukrainian Armed Forces and who has joined us as Chief of Staff of American University Kyiv. To the University of Pennsylvania and our alumni, I’m humbled and honored to receive this Helen C. Bailey Award. I do not believe I am personally worthy of this individual award, but appreciate the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education awarding me the award for my roles in Ukraine. Therefore, I accept the award, as the custodian of the award, on behalf of the Ukrainian people, the Ukrainian Armed Force,s and the American University Kyiv.
Ethel and Allen “Buddy” Carruth Sustained Leadership in Education Award
Noah D. Drezner, GED'04, GR'08
This award recognizes significant service to the education community. The award honors the memory of Ethel Carruth, ED'43, a distinguished alumna, benefactor, and friend of Penn GSE. Mrs. Carruth and her late husband, Allen Carruth, left an extraordinary legacy, fostering enthusiastic dedication and support of numerous causes, inspiring benevolence and a lifetime of involvement. Their support of education impacted many in the field and motivated unprecedented achievement and guidance throughout the community. The recipient of this award will serve as an inspiration to others, transcending expectations and providing opportunities in service.
Noah D. Drezner, GED'04, GR'08
This award recognizes significant service to the education community. The award honors the memory of Ethel Carruth, ED'43, a distinguished alumna, benefactor, and friend of Penn GSE. Mrs. Carruth and her late husband, Allen Carruth, left an extraordinary legacy, fostering enthusiastic dedication and support of numerous causes, inspiring benevolence and a lifetime of involvement. Their support of education impacted many in the field and motivated unprecedented achievement and guidance throughout the community. The recipient of this award will serve as an inspiration to others, transcending expectations and providing opportunities in service.
Noah D. Drezner is a professor of higher education, director of the Higher and Postsecondary Education Program, special advisor to the provost for doctoral education, chair of the Faculty Executive Committee, and principal investigator of the Tzedakah Lab at Teachers College, Columbia University. Additionally, he is founding editor of Philanthropy & Education (Indiana University Press) and formerly a visiting professor of education and philanthropic studies at Beijing Normal University. Next academic year, he will be a visiting professor at Tel Aviv University’s Buchmann Faculty of Law in the Institute for Law and Philanthropy.
Drezner is internationally known as a leading researcher on educational philanthropy. His research interests include philanthropy and fundraising as they pertain to colleges and universities, including higher education's role in the cultivation of prosocial behaviors. Currently, his work is based on identity-based philanthropy, researching how a person’s social identities affect their giving to higher education and how colleges and universities can engage their alumni in more inclusive ways. He is the co-PI for the National Study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Alumni, a multi-institutional mixed methods project, and recently completed a population-based survey experiment, The National Alumni Giving Experiment, that evaluates how a person’s social identities affect their propensity to donate and at what level when exposed to different types of fundraising solicitations.
He has published numerous articles and six books and given several international presentations on related topics. His dissertation received the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) H.S. Warwick Award for Outstanding Research in Alumni Relations for Educational Advancement in 2009. The Association of Fundraising Professionals awarded him the 2014 Skystone Partners Prize for Research on Fundraising and Philanthropy for his book, Expanding the Donor Base in Higher Education: Engaging Non-traditional Donors, and their inaugural Early Career Emerging Scholar Award in the same year. Additionally, he was presented the CASE John Grenzebach Award for Outstanding Research in Philanthropy for Educational Advancement in 2015 for his work on philanthropic mirroring and social identity’s impact on giving. In 2016, he was recognized with the PennGSE Alumni Recent Alumni/Early Career Award of Merit. He has served on the Association for the Study of Higher Education board of directors since 2019.
Drezen holds a BS from the University of Rochester, a graduate certificate in nonprofit leadership from Roberts Wesleyan College, and MS in education and PhD degrees from the University of Pennsylvania.
From Noah: I want to thank my supportive, inspiring, and loving husband, Oren Pizmony-Levy, and our son, Barak. You both push me to be a better person, husband, father, and scholar. I am lucky to have unconditional love from my father, David, and mother-in-law, Aviva. Additionally, I could not have had more supportive mentors throughout my time as a student and as faculty. Thank you to Laura Perna (Penn GSE), Alberto Cabrera (Maryland), Anna Neumann (Teachers College), and Brian Powell (Indiana) who have always been willing to provide advice, an ear to listen, encouragement, colleagueship, and friendship. I am beyond lucky and indebted to all of you for what you have given me. You have all inspired me to become the person I am.
Drezner is internationally known as a leading researcher on educational philanthropy. His research interests include philanthropy and fundraising as they pertain to colleges and universities, including higher education's role in the cultivation of prosocial behaviors. Currently, his work is based on identity-based philanthropy, researching how a person’s social identities affect their giving to higher education and how colleges and universities can engage their alumni in more inclusive ways. He is the co-PI for the National Study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Alumni, a multi-institutional mixed methods project, and recently completed a population-based survey experiment, The National Alumni Giving Experiment, that evaluates how a person’s social identities affect their propensity to donate and at what level when exposed to different types of fundraising solicitations.
He has published numerous articles and six books and given several international presentations on related topics. His dissertation received the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) H.S. Warwick Award for Outstanding Research in Alumni Relations for Educational Advancement in 2009. The Association of Fundraising Professionals awarded him the 2014 Skystone Partners Prize for Research on Fundraising and Philanthropy for his book, Expanding the Donor Base in Higher Education: Engaging Non-traditional Donors, and their inaugural Early Career Emerging Scholar Award in the same year. Additionally, he was presented the CASE John Grenzebach Award for Outstanding Research in Philanthropy for Educational Advancement in 2015 for his work on philanthropic mirroring and social identity’s impact on giving. In 2016, he was recognized with the PennGSE Alumni Recent Alumni/Early Career Award of Merit. He has served on the Association for the Study of Higher Education board of directors since 2019.
Drezen holds a BS from the University of Rochester, a graduate certificate in nonprofit leadership from Roberts Wesleyan College, and MS in education and PhD degrees from the University of Pennsylvania.
From Noah: I want to thank my supportive, inspiring, and loving husband, Oren Pizmony-Levy, and our son, Barak. You both push me to be a better person, husband, father, and scholar. I am lucky to have unconditional love from my father, David, and mother-in-law, Aviva. Additionally, I could not have had more supportive mentors throughout my time as a student and as faculty. Thank you to Laura Perna (Penn GSE), Alberto Cabrera (Maryland), Anna Neumann (Teachers College), and Brian Powell (Indiana) who have always been willing to provide advice, an ear to listen, encouragement, colleagueship, and friendship. I am beyond lucky and indebted to all of you for what you have given me. You have all inspired me to become the person I am.
Kwame Nkrumah Distinguished Alumni Award
Lourdes M. DelRosso, GED'16
This award recognizes an illustrious graduate who has made distinct and transformative contributions to the field of education in the nation or the world. The award honors Kwame Nkrumah, GED'43, G'44, the first president of independent Ghana. Nkrumah fought for Ghana's independence and was a founding member of the Organization of African Unity. As President, Nkrumah set up a strong system of basic education, initiating compulsory primary education in 1962. In 2000, he was voted African Man of the Millennium by the BBC World Service listeners, who described him as a "hero of independence" and an "international symbol of freedom " as the leader of the first black African country to shake off the chains of colonial rule.
The recipient of this award will have made a demonstrative and uncommon impact in education through research, policy and/or service will reflect the values and aspirations of Penn GSE and its commitment to equity and opportunity and serve as a role model for Penn GSE students and alumni. Their contribution will have a global impact on improving circumstances for historically oppressed or marginalized communities.
Lourdes M. DelRosso, GED'16
This award recognizes an illustrious graduate who has made distinct and transformative contributions to the field of education in the nation or the world. The award honors Kwame Nkrumah, GED'43, G'44, the first president of independent Ghana. Nkrumah fought for Ghana's independence and was a founding member of the Organization of African Unity. As President, Nkrumah set up a strong system of basic education, initiating compulsory primary education in 1962. In 2000, he was voted African Man of the Millennium by the BBC World Service listeners, who described him as a "hero of independence" and an "international symbol of freedom " as the leader of the first black African country to shake off the chains of colonial rule.
The recipient of this award will have made a demonstrative and uncommon impact in education through research, policy and/or service will reflect the values and aspirations of Penn GSE and its commitment to equity and opportunity and serve as a role model for Penn GSE students and alumni. Their contribution will have a global impact on improving circumstances for historically oppressed or marginalized communities.
Lourdes DelRosso, professor of family and community medicine at University of California San Francisco and associate professor of pediatrics at University of Washington, has spent her professional career expanding the boundaries of global sleep health. She has been involved in Haiti as part of the 2010 earthquake relief program and has continued working with various programs. In 2014, she traveled to the Dominican Republic with the global outreach team of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to train community health workers. In California, she has trained community health workers in an early intervention program for children five years and younger. DelRosso has also been active in many global initiatives as part of national and international societies, such as the 2019 Latin American Symposium on Diversity and Inclusion, the 2020 Symposium on Global Sleep Medicine, and co-chair of the World Sleep Day. She has given over 50 international lectures, most in Latin America and has over 120 publications.
DelRosso’s area of research focuses on sleep quality. She leads an international task force to establish the diagnostic criteria for restless sleep disorder.
Since 2022, she has been serving as director of the World Sleep Academy, an initiative to train sleep and knowledge of sleep medicine, including education, clinical care, and research.
From Lourdes: I want to thank my mother, for showing me that anything is possible and my husband Ken for his unwavering support. I want to thank doctors and teachers in remote areas of the world who are role models for growing children. I want to thank the University of Pennsylvania for their leadership and responsibility in transforming professionals into global leaders, and finally, I want to thank Dr. Mike Mutschelknaus and the faculty, staff, and students at the World Sleep Academy for their efforts and aspirations to build a better world.
DelRosso’s area of research focuses on sleep quality. She leads an international task force to establish the diagnostic criteria for restless sleep disorder.
Since 2022, she has been serving as director of the World Sleep Academy, an initiative to train sleep and knowledge of sleep medicine, including education, clinical care, and research.
From Lourdes: I want to thank my mother, for showing me that anything is possible and my husband Ken for his unwavering support. I want to thank doctors and teachers in remote areas of the world who are role models for growing children. I want to thank the University of Pennsylvania for their leadership and responsibility in transforming professionals into global leaders, and finally, I want to thank Dr. Mike Mutschelknaus and the faculty, staff, and students at the World Sleep Academy for their efforts and aspirations to build a better world.
William B. Castetter Alumni Award of Merit
Lawrence P. Ward, GRD'11
This award recognizes an outstanding graduate for significant service to Penn GSE. Service to the School may include volunteering, being an alum leader, serving on the Penn Alumni Board or in Penn Regional Clubs, or other leadership opportunities with the University of Pennsylvania. The recipient should have a longstanding relationship with the School and exemplify volunteer leadership.
Lawrence P. Ward, GRD'11
This award recognizes an outstanding graduate for significant service to Penn GSE. Service to the School may include volunteering, being an alum leader, serving on the Penn Alumni Board or in Penn Regional Clubs, or other leadership opportunities with the University of Pennsylvania. The recipient should have a longstanding relationship with the School and exemplify volunteer leadership.
As vice president for learner success and dean of campus life at Babson College, Lawrence P. Ward provides strategic direction and executive oversight for a comprehensive student and campus experience that supports the academic, professional, social, and cultural development and personal well-being of Babson students. As a member of the executive leadership team, he serves as principal advisor to the president and other senior leaders on decisions that impact successful student outcomes and influence learner satisfaction among enrolled graduate and undergraduate students.
Ward is the chief architect of a student-centric methodology and integrated portfolio of services, programs, and systems that have contributed to notable achievement in enrollment growth, retention, persistence, graduation, and career outcomes in Babson’s highly ranked undergraduate program. He provides leadership and oversight for intercollegiate athletics, student advising, health and wellness, student engagement and leadership development, multicultural and identity programs, religious and spiritual life, residence life, BabsonArts, community standards, campus police, and crisis response. He is an indomitable advocate for diversity, inclusion and belonging and widely respected for his ability to build authentic relationships on campus and across higher education.
Ward previously was associate dean of American University’s Kogod School of Business in Washington, DC, and served as managing director at PRS, Inc., an organizational development consulting firm, and as a healthcare account executive for Aetna, Inc. He holds degrees from the University of Connecticut, University of Michigan, and University of Pennsylvania, where he holds a faculty appointment in the Graduate School of Education.
As a higher education thought leader, Ward serves in national leadership positions including as a trustee of Albertus Magnus College and member of the NCAA Division III Management Council. He has been recognized as a Pillar of the Profession by NASPA and by the Charles River Chamber of Commerce as one of the 50 most influential business leaders of color in MetroWest Boston. A popular and engaging featured speaker and consultant, he specializes in using critical and creative thought, common sense, humor, and a personal commitment to excellence to help individuals and organizations reach their maximum potential for success. He and his wife live in Needham and have two children.
From Larry: I would like thank Penn GSE for recognizing my contributions to our community in such a special way. I’m grateful for the opportunity to teach, coach, mentor, laugh with, and learn from an outstanding group of doctoral students at Penn GSE. This award is a tribute to their journey.
Ward is the chief architect of a student-centric methodology and integrated portfolio of services, programs, and systems that have contributed to notable achievement in enrollment growth, retention, persistence, graduation, and career outcomes in Babson’s highly ranked undergraduate program. He provides leadership and oversight for intercollegiate athletics, student advising, health and wellness, student engagement and leadership development, multicultural and identity programs, religious and spiritual life, residence life, BabsonArts, community standards, campus police, and crisis response. He is an indomitable advocate for diversity, inclusion and belonging and widely respected for his ability to build authentic relationships on campus and across higher education.
Ward previously was associate dean of American University’s Kogod School of Business in Washington, DC, and served as managing director at PRS, Inc., an organizational development consulting firm, and as a healthcare account executive for Aetna, Inc. He holds degrees from the University of Connecticut, University of Michigan, and University of Pennsylvania, where he holds a faculty appointment in the Graduate School of Education.
As a higher education thought leader, Ward serves in national leadership positions including as a trustee of Albertus Magnus College and member of the NCAA Division III Management Council. He has been recognized as a Pillar of the Profession by NASPA and by the Charles River Chamber of Commerce as one of the 50 most influential business leaders of color in MetroWest Boston. A popular and engaging featured speaker and consultant, he specializes in using critical and creative thought, common sense, humor, and a personal commitment to excellence to help individuals and organizations reach their maximum potential for success. He and his wife live in Needham and have two children.
From Larry: I would like thank Penn GSE for recognizing my contributions to our community in such a special way. I’m grateful for the opportunity to teach, coach, mentor, laugh with, and learn from an outstanding group of doctoral students at Penn GSE. This award is a tribute to their journey.
Recent Alumni/Early Career Award of Merit
Felecia E. Commodore, GR'15
This award recognizes an outstanding graduate who has shown outstanding service to the University of Pennsylvania and the Graduate School of Education before their 10th reunion year and is setting an inspirational example for future alumni of Penn GSE. This includes, but is not limited to, significant contributions by an individual in their field of endeavor, whether through professional achievement or community service, and the devotion of significant time, energy, and enthusiasm to volunteerism and cultivation.
Felecia E. Commodore, GR'15
This award recognizes an outstanding graduate who has shown outstanding service to the University of Pennsylvania and the Graduate School of Education before their 10th reunion year and is setting an inspirational example for future alumni of Penn GSE. This includes, but is not limited to, significant contributions by an individual in their field of endeavor, whether through professional achievement or community service, and the devotion of significant time, energy, and enthusiasm to volunteerism and cultivation.
Felecia Commodore is an associate professor of higher education in the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. Commodore’s research focuses on leadership, governance, and administrative practices with a particular focus on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and Minority-Serving Institutions. Her research interests also lie in the role of boards in achieving educational equity, how leadership is exercised, constructed, and viewed in various communities, and the relationship of Black women and leadership. Her research expertise lies in the areas of organizational behavior, organizational decision-making, organizational culture, and how these three areas impact equity achievement. Commodore has published in the Journal of Higher Education, the Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, and Research in Higher Education. She is also the lead author of the book Black College Women: A Guide to Success in Higher Education.
She previously worked as an admissions counselor and academic advisor at Trinity University in Washington, DC, and the University of Maryland, College Park, respectively. She also obtained an MA in higher education administration from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a BS in marketing with a minor in sociology from Drexel University in Philadelphia. She earned her PhD in higher education from the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education.
From Felecia: I would like to God for purpose, provision, and protection to be able to do the work that I do. I’d also like to thank my nominator(s) for considering me for this award, and the committee for their selection. I am truly humbled. Thank you to the faculty at Penn who have supported me through tough times, during and after the program. Your willingness to pick up the phone or answer an e-mail has been invaluable. To Noah Drezner, thank you for seeing more in me than I saw in myself and making me believe a PhD at Penn was a possibility. To Sharon Fries-Britt for being a possibility model and amazing mentor. I am because you are. To James Earl Davis, Shaun Harper, and James T. Minor, thank you. Without you, I would have never made it through my doctoral program. Thank you to my ODU colleagues for giving me a place to call home. And to my scholar family and friends, especially my “fourth-floor siblings”, my fellow higher ed scholars, and the friends and family that keep me humble and remind me of all that really matters, thank you for your support and love. Lastly, to the communities with which I engage in research, I hope that I have supported you in ways that have brought honor to who you are and all you do. It is a privilege and the work still continues.
She previously worked as an admissions counselor and academic advisor at Trinity University in Washington, DC, and the University of Maryland, College Park, respectively. She also obtained an MA in higher education administration from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a BS in marketing with a minor in sociology from Drexel University in Philadelphia. She earned her PhD in higher education from the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education.
From Felecia: I would like to God for purpose, provision, and protection to be able to do the work that I do. I’d also like to thank my nominator(s) for considering me for this award, and the committee for their selection. I am truly humbled. Thank you to the faculty at Penn who have supported me through tough times, during and after the program. Your willingness to pick up the phone or answer an e-mail has been invaluable. To Noah Drezner, thank you for seeing more in me than I saw in myself and making me believe a PhD at Penn was a possibility. To Sharon Fries-Britt for being a possibility model and amazing mentor. I am because you are. To James Earl Davis, Shaun Harper, and James T. Minor, thank you. Without you, I would have never made it through my doctoral program. Thank you to my ODU colleagues for giving me a place to call home. And to my scholar family and friends, especially my “fourth-floor siblings”, my fellow higher ed scholars, and the friends and family that keep me humble and remind me of all that really matters, thank you for your support and love. Lastly, to the communities with which I engage in research, I hope that I have supported you in ways that have brought honor to who you are and all you do. It is a privilege and the work still continues.
Recent Alumni/Early Career Award of Merit
Qian (Sylvia) He, GED'20
This award recognizes an outstanding graduate who has shown outstanding service to the University of Pennsylvania and the Graduate School of Education before their 10th reunion year and is setting an inspirational example for future alumni of Penn GSE. This includes but is not limited to significant contributions by an individual in their field of endeavor, whether through professional achievement or community service, and the devotion of significant time, energy, and enthusiasm to volunteerism and cultivation.
Qian (Sylvia) He, GED'20
This award recognizes an outstanding graduate who has shown outstanding service to the University of Pennsylvania and the Graduate School of Education before their 10th reunion year and is setting an inspirational example for future alumni of Penn GSE. This includes but is not limited to significant contributions by an individual in their field of endeavor, whether through professional achievement or community service, and the devotion of significant time, energy, and enthusiasm to volunteerism and cultivation.
Sylvia He has been an innovative K–12 educator across China and the United States for over 16 years. She started her professional career in 2005 at the New Oriental School when she was a sophomore at Beijing Language and Culture University of China. Later, she joined the Woodpecker Education, focusing on providing quality admission consulting for Chinese students. He served at Woodpecker in central leadership roles as chief academic director, general manager of Beijing branch, and International program director. Eight years ago, she moved from China to the US and started her own education business. She has been invited to join IC Education as a one of the founding team, focusing on researching and developing an individualized cross-cultural international high school diploma curriculum. After graduating from the UPenn Education Entrepreneurship Program in 2020, she launched the Global Youth Entrepreneurship Zone in Silicon Valley, which prepares high school students for college and enhances their career readiness through entrepreneurship education. Now in its fourth year, GYEC has included students from seven counties.
From Sylvia: I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Penn GSE committee and to everyone who has supported me on this incredible journey. Your generous help and unwavering encouragement have truly made a difference. A special thank you goes out to all my professors in the Education Entrepreneurship Program, including Barbara "Bobbi" Kurshan, Jenny Zapf, Sarah B. Steinberg, Harvey R. Koeppel, Roger Osorio, Liza Herzog, and all. Your expertise and guidance have been invaluable. I also want to acknowledge my amazing cohort: Luis Liu, Gabriela Fish, Izer Martinez, Miyuki Nakagawa, Sam Lin, Zinan Chen, Chau Bui, and many others. Your camaraderie and collaboration have made this experience all the more enriching. I want to thank the students and their families who have placed their trust in GYEC. You are the reason we strive for excellence every single day, and your success is our greatest reward. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that each and every student has the tools, resources, and support they need to achieve their dreams. Thank you!
From Sylvia: I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Penn GSE committee and to everyone who has supported me on this incredible journey. Your generous help and unwavering encouragement have truly made a difference. A special thank you goes out to all my professors in the Education Entrepreneurship Program, including Barbara "Bobbi" Kurshan, Jenny Zapf, Sarah B. Steinberg, Harvey R. Koeppel, Roger Osorio, Liza Herzog, and all. Your expertise and guidance have been invaluable. I also want to acknowledge my amazing cohort: Luis Liu, Gabriela Fish, Izer Martinez, Miyuki Nakagawa, Sam Lin, Zinan Chen, Chau Bui, and many others. Your camaraderie and collaboration have made this experience all the more enriching. I want to thank the students and their families who have placed their trust in GYEC. You are the reason we strive for excellence every single day, and your success is our greatest reward. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that each and every student has the tools, resources, and support they need to achieve their dreams. Thank you!
PENN GSE ANNUAL AWARD RECIPIENTS
Awarded to current students, faculty, and staff, these awards recognize outstanding service and commitment to the Penn GSE community.
Awarded to current students, faculty, and staff, these awards recognize outstanding service and commitment to the Penn GSE community.
William E. Arnold Award for Outstanding Contributions by a Student
Elizabeth Dunens, GR’23
Elizabeth Dunens, GR’23
Elizabeth Dunens is a PhD Candidate studying Higher Education in the Policy, Organizations, Leadership and Systems Division at Penn GSE. Her professional and scholarly experience focuses on university-community partnerships, student engagement, higher education leadership, and postsecondary governance. As a doctoral student at Penn GSE, she has served as a research assistant to Matthew Hartley, a TA and graduate instructor in the Higher Education Department, a Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) Graduate Fellow, and vice president of finance for Penn GSE's Student Government.
As a CTL fellow, Dunens contributed to Penn GSE students' development as educators, completing one-on-one teaching observations with students, and organizing a teaching workshop series featuring the School's faculty on topics ranging from syllabus design to facilitating classroom discussion in a polarized political climate. Through student government, Dunens collaborated on numerous initiatives to support Penn GSE students' academic, social, and professional development. This included providing over 80 research and conference grants to Penn GSE students, hosting monthly writing retreats for master's and doctoral students, and organizing cross-school social events.
A people-centered educator and leader, Dunens counts cultivating relationships with Penn GSE students, staff, and faculty among the most rewarding of her doctoral experience. Following graduation, she aims for postsecondary leadership roles that will allow her to contribute toward realizing a more inclusive, community-focused, and sustainable future for US higher education.
As a CTL fellow, Dunens contributed to Penn GSE students' development as educators, completing one-on-one teaching observations with students, and organizing a teaching workshop series featuring the School's faculty on topics ranging from syllabus design to facilitating classroom discussion in a polarized political climate. Through student government, Dunens collaborated on numerous initiatives to support Penn GSE students' academic, social, and professional development. This included providing over 80 research and conference grants to Penn GSE students, hosting monthly writing retreats for master's and doctoral students, and organizing cross-school social events.
A people-centered educator and leader, Dunens counts cultivating relationships with Penn GSE students, staff, and faculty among the most rewarding of her doctoral experience. Following graduation, she aims for postsecondary leadership roles that will allow her to contribute toward realizing a more inclusive, community-focused, and sustainable future for US higher education.
Excellence in Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award
Mitali Temurnikar, GED’22, GED'23
Mitali Temurnikar, GED’22, GED'23
A graduate from the Mental Health Counseling Program at Penn GSE, Mitali Temurnikar is a multiculturally-equipped counselor aimed at increasing access to therapy in our communities. She served as the graduate assistant for the Office of the Dean, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the academic year 2022–2023, where she facilitated school-wide programming that aimed at highlighting student, staff, and faculty voices; developed collaborations with campus partners; co-chaired the Disability Inclusion and Ableism Committee while serving on the Race, Equity, and Inclusion Committee; and conducted "open hours" for students.
Temurnikar also provided career counseling to Penn GSE students and alumni through her work at Penn Career Services. She founded and ran three cohorts of a job search club for international students and facilitated group sessions for career development, served on first-generation and international student services sub-committees. At the Netter Center for Community Partnerships, Temurnikar created a "Safe Spaces" toolkit based on qualitative interviews conducted with the center's staff, students, and educators. She also developed a "SAFE" questionnaire and designed scalable DEI-oriented interventions and resources to facilitate interpersonal communication and foster safe spaces.
Temurnikar is a dedicated advocate for DEI initiatives and is committed to creating spaces where every individual feels valued, heard, and like they belong. She is originally from India and is a first-generation graduate student.
Temurnikar also provided career counseling to Penn GSE students and alumni through her work at Penn Career Services. She founded and ran three cohorts of a job search club for international students and facilitated group sessions for career development, served on first-generation and international student services sub-committees. At the Netter Center for Community Partnerships, Temurnikar created a "Safe Spaces" toolkit based on qualitative interviews conducted with the center's staff, students, and educators. She also developed a "SAFE" questionnaire and designed scalable DEI-oriented interventions and resources to facilitate interpersonal communication and foster safe spaces.
Temurnikar is a dedicated advocate for DEI initiatives and is committed to creating spaces where every individual feels valued, heard, and like they belong. She is originally from India and is a first-generation graduate student.
Student Recognition of Service Award
Zhanar Beketova, GED’23
Zhanar Beketova, GED’23
Zhanar Beketova is an international master’s student-parent from Kazakhstan. Her teaching experience spans from middle school classrooms to Zoom classrooms for international mid-career graduate students.
She is a strong advocate for non-traditional students, especially student-parents pursuing a master's degrees. As a student-parent herself—her daughter was born during her first semester at Penn GSE and her son just turned two—Beketova’s commitment to equity and advocacy for student-parents originates from her own journey navigating the rigorous graduate program, student employment, and parental responsibilities along with numerous limitations pertaining to the status of an international student.
She is a strong advocate for non-traditional students, especially student-parents pursuing a master's degrees. As a student-parent herself—her daughter was born during her first semester at Penn GSE and her son just turned two—Beketova’s commitment to equity and advocacy for student-parents originates from her own journey navigating the rigorous graduate program, student employment, and parental responsibilities along with numerous limitations pertaining to the status of an international student.
Student Recognition of Service Award
Mohamad Djodi Hardi Prajuri, GED’23
Mohamad Djodi Hardi Prajuri, GED’23
During his time at Penn, Mohamad Djodi Hardi Prajuri, has served as an official Penn GSE student ambassador and as a speaker for more than 30 webinars, promoting the School and providing information about its programs, services, and campus life through campus tours, virtual chats, panels, webinars, and mentorships.
As an active member of the GAPSA Executive Board, Prajuri has led a variety of programs that have enriched the experiences of a great number of graduate and professional students at Penn. Beginning as a member of the International Student Affairs Committee in 2021 and now as director of social programming, he and the Programming Division have worked continually to organize inclusive, accessible, and memorable campus events that bring students together and foster a sense of community.
Prajuri grew up in Malang, Indonesia, and became interested in education after discovering how much he enjoyed asking his classmates stimulating questions before tests. Following his graduation from Penn GSE, he hopes to continue developing the microschool he started in 2020 as a new educational alternative in Indonesia.
As an active member of the GAPSA Executive Board, Prajuri has led a variety of programs that have enriched the experiences of a great number of graduate and professional students at Penn. Beginning as a member of the International Student Affairs Committee in 2021 and now as director of social programming, he and the Programming Division have worked continually to organize inclusive, accessible, and memorable campus events that bring students together and foster a sense of community.
Prajuri grew up in Malang, Indonesia, and became interested in education after discovering how much he enjoyed asking his classmates stimulating questions before tests. Following his graduation from Penn GSE, he hopes to continue developing the microschool he started in 2020 as a new educational alternative in Indonesia.
Staff Recognition of Service Awards
Imani Harvin, GED’20
Associate Director and Case Manager, Office of Student Services
Laura Stern, GED’23
Program Assistant, Interdisciplinary Studies in Human Development
Nicole Guerrero
Coordinator, Student Records Office
Imani Harvin, GED’20
Associate Director and Case Manager, Office of Student Services
Laura Stern, GED’23
Program Assistant, Interdisciplinary Studies in Human Development
Nicole Guerrero
Coordinator, Student Records Office
Excellence in Teaching Award
Alan R. Ruby
Senior Fellow, Alliance for Higher Education and Democracy
Director, Global Engagement Office
Alan R. Ruby
Senior Fellow, Alliance for Higher Education and Democracy
Director, Global Engagement Office
Laurie Wagman Award for Visual and Performing Arts in Education
Jacqueline Winsch, GR’26
Though the generosity and support of Laurie Wagman, Penn GSE and the Penn Library award the Laurie Wagman Award for Visual and Performing Arts in Education. This award recognizes a Penn GSE scholar (faculty, student, or staff) who demonstrates an innovative and creative education vision, and intends to share that vision with their peers and/or students whether through academic research, writing, and/or classroom activities.
Jacqueline Winsch, GR’26
Though the generosity and support of Laurie Wagman, Penn GSE and the Penn Library award the Laurie Wagman Award for Visual and Performing Arts in Education. This award recognizes a Penn GSE scholar (faculty, student, or staff) who demonstrates an innovative and creative education vision, and intends to share that vision with their peers and/or students whether through academic research, writing, and/or classroom activities.
Jacqueline Winsch is a rising third-year PhD student in the Reading/Writing/Literacy Department at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, where she studies the ways drama integration can influence elementary students and teachers. Specifically, Jackie's research considers how to prepare elementary homeroom teachers to use drama in their literacy classrooms, particularly teachers without prior experiences with drama. She is an advisee of Gerald Campano, and looks forward to using this award to partner with elementary teachers to develop a drama integration community of practice.
Jolley Bruce Christman and Steven S. Goldberg Annual Award for Best Dissertation in Urban Education
Gordon Divine (Dee) Asaah, GR’21
Established to reflect a shared commitment to issues of social justice in education, this award annually recognizes an outstanding graduating PhD or EdD student for their work while at Penn GSE. Determined by a committee comprised of the dean and faculty from across the school, awardees are chosen on the basis of both the methodological and substantive aspects of their dissertations. In addition to the quality of the research and writing, the committee will consider the importance of a dissertation’s subject and findings, the originality of the work, and the impact on the field of urban education.
Gordon Divine (Dee) Asaah, GR’21
Established to reflect a shared commitment to issues of social justice in education, this award annually recognizes an outstanding graduating PhD or EdD student for their work while at Penn GSE. Determined by a committee comprised of the dean and faculty from across the school, awardees are chosen on the basis of both the methodological and substantive aspects of their dissertations. In addition to the quality of the research and writing, the committee will consider the importance of a dissertation’s subject and findings, the originality of the work, and the impact on the field of urban education.
Gordon Divine (Dee) Asaah is the founder and CEO of The Asaah Group, LLC, a company that specializes in course creation and teaching. He is the founder and executive director of Nawee Afrika Education Foundation, Inc., an international nonprofit that focuses on innovating teaching and learning to support African students in reaching their full potential. Asaah’s scholarly interests encompass reading, writing, and literacy; international educational development; social, cognitive, and affective neuroscience; education entrepreneurship; and filmmaking. He is the author of the children’s book, Raymon and the Summer Snowman, and the producer/director of the documentary features, I Am Home A Partnership for Better Education, and Grounds That Shout And Others Merely Shaking. He is also a lecturer in the Education Entrepreneurship program at Penn GSE.
Asaah holds a master’s degree in literature and creative writing from Harvard University, where he earned The Thomas Small Prize "for academic achievement and character." Prior to that, he studied performing arts at the University of Yaoundé in Cameroon and at Aristotle University in Thessaloniki, Greece.
TEACHER HONOREES
At school, there is no greater impact on a child’s learning than their teacher. Today, amid a growing nationwide teacher shortage, we are honored to be able to recognize Penn GSE alumni teachers who have worked in their classrooms for five years or longer. Professor Richard Ingersoll’s research has found that teachers who “stayed the course” in the classroom through those first five years truly developed professional knowledge and skill, becoming educational leaders. We invite you to join us in thanking these alumni for their service to their students and their dedication to professional practice and educational excellence.
Thank you for taking the time to celebrate with us today! We hope to see you again next year.
University of Pennsylvania
Graduate School of Education
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Philadelphia, PA 19104
www.gse.upenn.edu | alumni@gse.upenn.edu