The College of Education welcomes several new Spartans to our scholarly community in the 2026-2027 academic year. In addition, the college recognizes and honors several promotions within our community.
Leadership or Title Changes
- Kristen N. Bieda became chair of the Department of Teacher Education.
- Brendan Cantwell will become the associate chair of the Department of Educational Administration, effective Sept. 14, 2026.
- Marisa Fisher was named associate chair of the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education.
- Jackie Goodway was named associate chair of the Department of Kinesiology.
- Marisa Fisher and Beth Herbel-Eisenmann both earned the title of Red Cedar Distinguished Professor.
- Leapetswe Malete and Karin Pfeiffer were both named Gwen Norrell Professors in Youth Sport and Student-Athlete Well-being.
New Hires
Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education
- Victoria Macann, Assistant Professor – Fixed Term
Education Policy Innovation Collaborative (EPIC)
- Tyler Powell, Postdoctoral Scholar
- Salem Rogers, Academic Specialist
Kinesiology
- Leighton Jones, Assistant Professor - Fixed Term
Promotions
To Associate Professor
- Liz Owens Boltz (Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education)
- Charis Wahman (Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education)
- Matthew Harkey (Kinesiology)
- Shireen Al-Adeimi (Teacher Education)
- Ann Castle (Teacher Education)
- Karenanna Creps (Teacher Education)
- Effat Id-Dean (Teacher Education)
To Professor
- Sara Witmer (Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education)
- Andrew Driska (Kinesiology)
- Rajiv Ranganathan (Kinesiology)
- Spyridoula Vazou (Kinesiology)
To Senior Instructor
- George Harnick (Kinesiology)
To Senior Academic Specialist
- Tara Kilbride (Education Policy Innovation Collaborative)
- Christopher Kaiser (Teacher Education)
To Designation B
- Sanghoon Kim (Kinesiology)
- Cynthia Goff (Teacher Education)
- Hannah Grisham (Teacher Education)
- Alyssa Morley (Teacher Education)
- Mary Patillo-Dunn (Teacher Education)
Designation B is recognition of a clear record of sustained, outstanding achievements in teaching.