July 2020 Newsletter

California Education Lab and California Student Aid Commission Partner on Major Survey of Students and COVID-19

School of Education researchers Prof. Michal Kurlaender and Dr. Sherrie Reed partnered with the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) to conduct one of the largest surveys in the nation to gauge the impact of the pandemic on our college population and help guide response moving forward. 

The team surveyed 76,000 current and incoming college students about their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis in spring 2020 and their enrollment plans for fall 2020. The survey found that students have experienced a variety of hardships and were uncertain about where they will attend and how they will afford college.

Key findings included:

• Over 70% of current students lost some or all of their sources of income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
• A quarter of students dropped courses in their spring 2020 college term. 
• Almost half of all students had their living arrangements change.

The findings were presented in a webinar on July 8 which can be viewed here, and the report can be downloaded here.

Cynthia Carter Ching Appointed Interim Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education

Associate Dean and Prof. Cynthia Carter Ching has been chosen to serve as interim vice provost and dean of Undergraduate Education for UC Davis, effective July 15.

“Cynthia’s strong affinity for undergraduate education, substantial leadership experience and research expertise in issues relating to the use of technology in learning make her an ideal candidate for this interim role,” said Mary Croughan, provost and executive vice chancellor at UC Davis. “Moreover, Cynthia demonstrated a deep commitment to diversity and inclusion and to being a strong advocate for students.”

“Cynthia has been an excellent leader at the School of Education and we’re very proud to see her move into a new leadership role at UC Davis,” said Dean Lauren Lindstrom. “After five years as the School’s associate dean, she has a deep knowledge of university academic programs and systems. She thinks creatively about how to develop new programs, and under her leadership we’ve expanded our offerings to include the Foundations for University Success for International Students courses along with Quarter at Aggie Square experiences.” Read more.​

Michal Kurlaender Recognized by UC Davis and National Academy of Education

Prof. Michal Kurlaender, professor and department chair at the School of Education, has been named one of the 55 most significant women in the history of UC Davis. The recognition was part of a celebration marking the 150th anniversary of the admission of women to the University of California. School of Education alumna Susan Catron (EdD ’12), Dean of Continuing and Professional Education, was also honored with inclusion on the list.

Kurlaender was also one of 15 exceptional scholars and leaders elected to the National Academy of Education (NAEd). “These diverse scholars are at the forefront of those who are improving the lives of students in the United States and abroad through their outstanding contributions to education scholarship and research,” said Gloria Ladson-Billings, NAEd President.

Maisha Winn Named New Associate Dean of Academic Programs and Instruction

Prof. Maisha Winn has been appointed to serve as the School of Education’s new Associate Dean of Academic Programs and Instruction effective August 1, 2020, replacing Cynthia Carter Ching. Winn is a Chancellor’s Leadership Professor and Co-Founder and Faculty Director of the Transformative Justice in Education Center. She has served in a number of key leadership roles including as a member of the Chancellor’s Strategic Plan Steering Committee, American Educational Research Association (AERA) Executive Board and Council, School of Education curriculum committee, and Faculty Executive Committee. An outstanding teacher and scholar, she is nationally and internationally recognized for her contributions in the area of transformative justice. 

Danny C. Martinez to Serve as Chair of the Graduate Group in Education

Prof. Danny C. Martinez has been appointed Chair of the Graduate Group in Education for a three-year period. As the Chair, Martinez will advise faculty members and students on Graduate Council policies, student resources and campus services, mentoring guidelines and best practices, and will oversee the work of the group’s graduate advisors.

“Dr. Danny C. Martinez is an innovative scholar and excellent teacher,” said Dean Lauren Lindstrom. “We are very excited to have him serve in this new leadership role in the School of Education.”

Marcela Cuellar Recognized with Advising and Mentoring Award

Prof. Marcela Cuellar has received a UC Davis Program Award for Advising and Mentoring in the CANDEL program. This award recognizes the many ways she has supported her students’ journeys towards becoming scholar-practitioners who are champions of equity. As one of her students told us, “Her presence and guidance was affirming/validating which helped me own my identity as an important contributor to the research world. In my own work today as a higher education leader of color, I use many of the practices I experienced under her guidance.”

Welcoming New Senior Director of Development Jennifer Martinez

Jennifer Martinez has joined the School of Education as our new Senior Director of Development, after a role as Director of Development for Principal Gifts at UC Davis, where she focused on high-level individual donors and transformative gifts. At the School of Education she will be responsible for developing and leading a comprehensive fundraising program. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to join the School of Education team,” Martinez said. “I want to help inspire philanthropic support in preparation of the best education leaders, researchers and teachers, and to be part of this important work to eliminate inequities in education.”

ALUMNI NEWS

Pablo Reguerín Named Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs

Chancellor Gary S. May has selected Pablo Guillermo Reguerín (EdD ’17) to be the next vice chancellor of Student Affairs at UC Davis. Reguerín currently serves as associate vice chancellor of student achievement and equity innovation at UC Santa Cruz. The Division of Student Affairs encompasses nearly 30 departments, 3,000 student employees, 750 professional staff, and approximately 2.5 million square feet of space under management. We are very pleased to welcome him back to campus in this crucial role. 

Akirah J. Bradley Named Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at CU Boulder

Akirah J. Bradley (EdD ’17) has been named vice chancellor for student affairs for University of Colorado Boulder. She had served as a student affairs administrator at CU Boulder since 2016 and was appointed interim vice chancellor for student affairs in January. CU Boulder Provost Russell Moore said, “Throughout her time at CU Boulder, and in those key leadership roles, Dr. Bradley is someone I have come to rely upon for her sound and honest judgment, tireless advocacy for our students, and her willingness to engage with our faculty and academic leadership as partners in ensuring student success.”

EVENTS

Dean’s Message to the Graduating Class of 2020

We could not be together with our students in person on June 10, the date the School of Education would have held our in-person graduation. But we were together in spirit, and we marked the day with video messages for students in our credential, master’s and doctoral programs. Thank you to all the faculty, staff and resident teachers who contributed their heartfelt video messages! View Dean Lauren Lindstrom’s message to the graduating class of 2020 here.

Recent Research Publications

• Dept. of Economics Prof. Scott E. Carrell and Prof. Michal Kurlaender co-authored a research paper, “My Professor Cares: Experimental Evidence on the Role of Faculty Engagement” published in the National Bureau of Economic Research.
• Prof. Marcela Cuellar co-authored the article “Racialized Experiences Off and On Campus: Contextualizing Latina/o Students’ Perceptions of Climate at an Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI)” in Urban Education.
• Prof. Kevin Gee, with colleagues from UC Davis Health, published the article “School-Based Telemedicine Interventions for Asthma: A Systematic Review” in Academic Pediatrics.
• Prof. Jennifer Higgs co-authored the chapter “Taking Stock of the Reading for Understanding Initiative” in the National Academy of Education (NAEd) report Reaping the Rewards of the Reading for Understanding Initiative.
• Dean Lauren Lindstrom co-authored the article “Future Aspirations of Young Women With Disabilities: An Examination of Social Cognitive Career Theory” in Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals.
• California Education Lab Executive Director Sherrie Reed and Prof. Heather Rose published the article “Serving the Underserved? Student Characteristics and Staffing Patterns in California Charter Schools” in Journal of School Choice.