Celebrating the second-annual college Alumni Awards

Four Spartans will receive the College of Education Alumni Awards in September 2025. The awards celebrate our graduates for their significant contributions to their field, their communities, the college and the university. 

“Graduates from the Michigan State University College of Education are known for their steadfast dedication to improving education, health and well-being for all,” said Jerlando F. L. Jackson, dean and MSU Research Foundation Professor of Education. “It is an honor to celebrate these four alums for their dedication and contributions to their communities.” 

The 2025 honorees are: 

• Rick Stiggins, Ph.D. ‘72 (Educational Psychology)
• Billy C. Hawkins, Ph.D. ‘85 (Educational Administration)
• Sally Nogle, Ph.D. '01 (Kinesiology)
• Candice Nicholson, B.A. ‘01 (Education) and M.A. ‘04 (Curriculum & Teaching) 

Honorees will receive their awards during the Scholarship and Alumni Awards dinner on Friday, September 5. 

Rick Stiggins 

Awardee - Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education

Stiggins is a recognized leader in educational assessment. He was the founder and president of the Assessment Training Institute (ATI), now part of Pearson Education. ATI supports student learning by helping educators and school leaders meet the challenges of daily classroom assessments. Stiggins held various teaching, research and development-based roles throughout his career, including as a faculty member at the University of Minnesota and director of test development for the ACT in Iowa City. 

He was also an oft-requested speaker for education assessments, and delivered thousands of seminars, workshops and presentations in all 50 states, all Canadian provinces and around the world. 

In 2014, Stiggins established The Richard Stiggins Endowment in Classroom Assessment, which bolsters the college’s efforts to understand and ensure high-quality pre-service preparation in classroom assessment for teacher candidates. To learn about the endowment, contact the Office of Development and Alumni Relations. 

Billy C. Hawkins 

Awardee - Department of Educational Administration

Hawkins was the president of Talladega College (Alabama) from 2008 until his retirement in 2022. Under his tutelage, Talladega College transformed. For example, Hawkins established the college’s first-ever graduate program, helped build the marching band, and oversaw renovations to or the construction of numerous academic buildings and dormitories, among other accomplishments. In the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 academic years, Talladega College had record-high enrollments. 

Hawkins started his career as an educator in Lansing, Michigan before ascending to leadership roles at institutions such as Mississippi Valley State University, Saint Paul’s College, Ferris State University, Morrisville State College (State University of New York). Prior to his leadership at Talladega College, Hawkins was the president of Texas College. 

Outside of higher education, Hawkins’ leadership roles include serving as the first-ever African American to chair the Alabama Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. 

Sally Nogle 

Awardee - Department of Kinesiology

Sally Nogle was the MSU Director of Sports Medicine and the head athletic trainer before she retired from MSU Athletics in 2023. 

Nogle is a history-maker. When she joined MSU in 1983, she was the first female athletic trainer for football in the Big Ten Conference. In 2013, she became the first female athletic trainer and head football athletic trainer at MSU. In addition, Nogle contributed to more than 20 peer-reviewed publications, helped secure research grants and has given over 40 presentations worldwide. The MSU athletic training room is named in her honor. 

Nogle received numerous accolades throughout her career, including induction into the National Athletic Trainers’ Hall of Fame in 2012. Over her career, she has worked with thousands of athletes, including some on a global scale. Nogle supported teams and efforts during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, the 1988 Seoul Olympics and at the 1987 World University Games. 

Today, she is the director of sports medicine for the University of Central Florida. 

Photo credit: MSU Athletics.

Candice Nicholson 

Awardee - Department of Teacher Education

Candice Nicholson was named the Michigan Teacher of the Year in 2023-2024 by the Michigan Department of Education. At the time of receiving the honor, she was the third-ever African American to receive the award and the first from the Detroit Public School Community District (DPSCD) in 16 years. 

Today, Nicholson continues her legacy with DPSCD as a fourth and fifth grade teacher at The School at Marygrove. She is also the host of the Chalkboard Chatter podcast. Geared for K-5 educators, leaders and decision-makers, Nicholson explores personalized learning and inclusive education, among other topics. 

Learn more about Nicholson in this video. She was featured as part of our 2024 series "Ingrained," celebrating alums for their dedicated, immersive careers in classrooms. 
 

The College of Education Alumni Awards, reinstated in 2024, are bestowed by the college’s Office of Development and Alumni Relations. Previously, College of Education graduates were honored by the college’s Alumni Board. The last in this series of awards was given in 2011. 

If you would like to nominate an alum for the 2026 College of Education Alumni Awards cycle, please email cedalum@msu.edu for further information.