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2023 Alumni Award winners panel in conversation.
MARSAL FAMILY SCHOOL OF EDUCATION

Alumni Awards

Alumni Awards

The Office of Development and Alumni Relations is now accepting nominations for its three annual alumni awards: the Distinguished Education Practitioner, the Distinguished Education Researcher, and the Emerging Leader Award. Each award recognizes the incredible accomplishments of our alumni, whether they are seasoned professionals or newer to their careers.

Distinguished Alumni Award

The two Distinguished Alumni Awards are presented to Marsal Family School of Education alumni who have made significant contributions to their profession, and whose accomplishments exemplify leadership, innovations, and passion for advancing the field of education.

Please note that there are two separate awards in this category:

  • Distinguished Education Practitioner
  • Distinguished Education Researcher
Criteria
  • Marsal Education alumni with more than 10 years of professional experience are eligible for the Distinguished Alumni Award.
  • Marsal Education has two Distinguished Alumni Award categories: Distinguished Education Practitioner and Distinguished Education Researcher. Please indicate which category you are submitting a nomination for.
  • Nominees hold collaboration in high regard, and have demonstrated their dedication to building meaningful partnerships within their profession.
  • Eligible candidates have been recognized for their professional achievements by their peers and/or colleagues.
  • Eligible candidates have demonstrated a commitment to the mission, vision, and values of the Marsal Family School of Education.
  • Marsal Education alumni, faculty, and staff may nominate an individual for the Distinguished Alumni Award. Students of alumni who have been uniquely impacted by the mentorship or instruction of a Marsal Education graduate, as well as colleagues of alumni, are also welcome to submit nominations for this award. Self-nominations cannot be accepted.

Emerging Leader Alumni Award

The Emerging Leader Alumni Award is presented to an alum with fewer than 10 years of professional experience after completing their degree at the Marsal Family School of Education. This award champions alumni who are early in their careers and demonstrate a commitment to the profession of education. Nominees show potential for continued leadership and a passion for equity and justice in the field of education.

Criteria
  • Marsal Education alumni with fewer than 10 years of professional experience are eligible for the Emerging Leader Alumni Award.
  • Nominees have demonstrated their commitment to education and have a record of outstanding accomplishments and leadership since completing their degree. These achievements may include exemplary work in the classroom or administration, impactful research, and/or demonstrating commitment to the mission, vision, and values of the Marsal Family School of Education.
  • Marsal Education alumni, faculty, and staff may nominate an individual for the Emerging Leader Alumni Award. Students of alumni who have been uniquely impacted by the mentorship or instruction of a recent Marsal Education graduate, as well as colleagues of alumni, are also welcome to submit nominations for this award. Self-nominations cannot be accepted.

Submit a nomination

All nominations are reviewed by a selection committee composed of Marsal Education faculty, staff, and alumni, who cast their votes for one candidate in each category. Award recipients are announced in the winter and invited to campus to receive their awards.

Nominations will be accepted until January 3, 2025.

Nomination Instructions

A nomination letter and CV (CV, resume, website, or online link to resume) are required.

Nomination Letter
The nomination letter should explain the particular distinction that makes the nominee a strong candidate for this honor. The letter should be no longer than 500 words and must include the following:

  • A brief bio and description of the nominee’s major accomplishments.
  • Examples that illustrate the nominee’s professional achievements and reputation. This could include products or descriptions of their work; recognition by peers or colleagues; quotations from colleagues, students, or advisors/mentors; news or media; or anecdotes.
  • Description of the nominee’s demonstrated commitment to the mission, vision, and values of the Marsal Family School of Education

Submit an alumni award nomination

Recipients

2023
Emerging Leader Alumni Award Recipients
  • Dr. Andrew Kwok (BS '07, PhD '15)
    Professor in the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Culture in the School of Education and Human Development at Texas A&M University
Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients
  • Patricia Dignan (EdD '82)
    Retired educator and superintendent
  • Julian Vasquez Heilig (AB '97, AM '99)
    Professor emerita at the University of Texas-San Antonio, and Public speaker affiliated with SpeakOut-The Institute for Democratic Education and Culture

Read more about the recipients

2022
Emerging Leader Alumni Award Recipients
  • Jessica Cañas (AM '14)
    Senior Manager of Community Engagement at Kids First Chicago
Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients
  • Alicia Baturoni Cortez (AB '95)
    Integration Manager in NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement for the Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP)
  • Laura I. Rendón (PhD '82)
    Professor emerita at the University of Texas-San Antonio, and Public speaker affiliated with SpeakOut-The Institute for Democratic Education and Culture

Read more about the recipients

2021
Emerging Leader Alumni Award Recipients
  • Dr. Brian Burt (PhD '14)
    Associate Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis at the University of Wisconsin
  • Travon Jefferson (ABEd '16)
    Social Studies teacher, Houston, Texas
Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients
  • Dr. Ann Austin (AM '82, PhD '84)
    Interim Dean and Distinguished Professor, College of Education at Michigan State University
  • Dr. Alycia Meriweather (ABEd '95, TeachCert '95)
    Deputy Superintendent of External Partnerships, Enrollment, and Specialty Programming at Detroit Public Schools Community District
  • Dr. Laura Perna (MPP '92, PhD '97)
    Vice Provost for Faculty, GSE Centennial Presidential Professor of Education, and Executive Director of the Alliance for Higher Education and Democracy (AHEAD) at the University of Pennsylvania
Centennial Scholar Award Recipients

The committee has also given a special honor this year—the Centennial Scholar Award—to a member of the SOE community whose life's work embodies the school's mission and its highest ideals.

  • Dr. Lin Chu Wong (AM '80, PhD '90)
    Retired educator

Read more about the recipients

 

Connect with us

Location

Office of Development and Alumni Relations
Room 1005
610 East University Ave, Suite 1005
Ann Arbor, MI 48109