• Gentry Building lit up at night.

    2022-23 Neag School of Education Annual Report

The Neag School of Education stands out as a major contributor to instructional and research excellence at the University of Connecticut, one of the nation’s leading public higher education institutions. With academic departments dedicated to educational leadership, educational psychology, and curriculum and instruction, the Neag School also offers programs in such areas as school psychology; sport management; higher education and student affairs; counseling; and teacher and administrator preparation.

A Message From the Dean

Dean Jason G. Irizarry.
Dean Jason G. Irizarry. (Photo Credit: Carson Fitzner/Neag School)

Thank you for taking the time to visit the Neag School of Education’s 2022-23 Annual Report. Throughout the following pages, we provide an in-depth review of faculty scholarship, national rankings, academic department highlights, media coverage, and much more.

Every year I am increasingly impressed by the dedication and innovation displayed by each member of our Neag School community. Amid the continuing challenges facing the field of education, our faculty, staff, and students have remained committed to our mission to improve educational and social systems to be more equitable, effective, and just for all. Our alumni, donors, and school district partners continue to be our steadfast champions, engaging with and advocating for our student body, building relationships with stakeholders, offering generous contributions, or serving as ambassadors of the School as they excel in their chosen fields. The Neag School would not be the renowned academic and research hub it is today without them.

In April, we were heartbroken by the loss of our our dear friend and generous benefactor Carole Neag. Carole and her husband Ray, who predeceased her, are among the most prominent figures in UConn’s history, transforming our Neag School of Education and many other University programs. We miss Carole every day, just as we do Ray, but their legacy and vision lives on in the daily work undertaken by our School community.

My hope is that this report provides you with a glimpse into that incredible and courageous work from the past academic year.

Jason Irizarry signature.

Dean Jason G. Irizarry
jason.irizarry@uconn.edu
Neag School of Education
University of Connecticut

Mission

The Neag School’s mission is to improve educational and social systems to be more effective, equitable, and just for all. We develop educators, professionals, and scholars; conduct rigorous and relevant research; and engage in reciprocal and responsible partnerships with students, practitioners, policymakers, and community members in Connecticut and around the world.

National Rankings

For the eighth consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report has ranked UConn’s Neag School of Education among the top 25 public graduate schools of education in the nation.

The Neag School stands at No. 22 among public graduate schools of education and at No. 31 for all graduate schools of education nationwide.

Read more about the Neag School’s 2023-2024 rankings.

Faculty

  • 76 Faculty Members

  • 2 Endowed Chairs

  • 4 Named Professors

Alumni

24,000+ Alumni Worldwide

Goals

Beyond maintaining its strength in national rankings and celebrating the widely recognized eminence of its faculty research experts, the Neag School of Education and its faculty, staff, and administration are continually improving students’ access to education, pursuing the next level of excellence, and striving to increase engagement among its broad range of stakeholders.

Access

The Neag School of Education is actively expanding access to educational opportunities for its own students, as well as for students across the state of Connecticut.

  • The Neag School expanded its reach in the Early College Experience Program, providing the opportunity to earn college credits to 356 high schoolers in 21 districts, an increase from five districts in 2021-2022.
  • The Teacher Certification Program for College Graduates (TCPCG) began offering a hybrid cohort at UConn Stamford in May 2023, making the program adaptable to students’ busy lives and schedules, no matter where they work or live. Paid internships were offered to TCPCG students in select school districts for the first time in 2021-2022, and several additional districts were brought on board in 2022-2023.
  • Support for aspiring teachers, sport management professionals, and educational leaders expanded in 2022-2023, with the Neag School providing over $452,239 in scholarships to 379 students.
venn diagram with three circles that say access excellence engagement

Excellence

  • Neag School alumni never fail to shine in their chosen fields, serving as CEOs and coaches, publishing books, and taking on the role of school leaders.
  • Widely published and sought-after, Neag School of Education faculty bring their expertise to media outlets around the world, including The New York Times, NPR, the Associated Press, and EducationWeek.

Engagement

From holding its annual Celebration of Diversity in Education in support of students of color who aspire to careers in education to featuring its faculty in lively panel discussions, the Neag school commits itself throughout the year to connect with prospective and current students, donors, alumni, and the public alike, on as well as far beyond campus.

  • Through the National Holmes Scholars Program, the Neag School has been able to support students from historically underrepresented backgrounds who are pursuing graduate degrees in education.
  • This spring marked the inaugural publication of the Neag School’s first academic journal, the Neag School of Education Journal, an editor-reviewed, open-access publication run by Neag School graduate students.
    • Now in its 30th year, the annual Letters About Literature Contest is co-sponsored by the Neag School of Education and led by Douglas Kaufman. The contest engages students across the state of Connecticut in Grades 4 through 12.

    “Carrying out our mission-driven work at UConn’s Neag School relies on and undeniably benefits from the innovation and diligence of our faculty and staff, as well as the tremendous students here who aspire to shape the future of education. It’s always gratifying to see their hard work and brilliance reflected back and aligning with our own vision and values.”

    — Dean Jason G. Irizarry