The Charles B. Gentry building at sunset, as seen from the Student Union lawn in UConn Storrs.

Neag School of Education Annual Report, 2024-2025

The nationally ranked 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 (Neag School photo)

Thank you for taking the time to visit the Neag School of Education’s 2024-25 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, and higher education in particular, 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.

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, Ed.D.
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 second year in a row, multiple graduate programs within UConn’s Neag School of Education were ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report:

  • Special Education program - No. 18 (tie)
  • Educational Administration programs - No. 28 (tie)
  • Curriculum and Instruction programs - No. 34 (tie) 

In addition, the Neag School appears for the 10th consecutive year as one of the top 30 public graduate schools of education in the United States, tied at No. 28.

Among all graduate schools of education across the nation, both public and private, the Neag School stands tied at No. 37. 

Read more about the Neag School’s 2025 rankings.

Faculty

  • 73 Faculty Members
    • 56 tenure-line
    • 17 non-tenure-track
  • 2 Endowed Chairs
  • 4 Named Professors

Staff

  • 52 Staff Members

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 924 high schoolers in 45 schools, an increase from five districts in the pilot year of 2021-2022.
  • Support for aspiring teachers, sport management professionals, and educational leaders expanded in 2024-2025, with the Neag School providing over $543,000  in scholarships to 374 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. Connecticut’s 2025 Superintendent of the Year is a Neag School alum: Christine Carver ’91 (ED), ’97 MA, ’09 Ed.D., superintendent of Bethel Public Schools.
  • Widely published and sought-after, Neag School of Education faculty bring their expertise to media outlets around the world, including The New York Times, the Washington Post, the Associated Press, and EducationWeek.

Engagement

From holding its annual Scholarship and Alumni Awards celebrations to featuring its faculty and students 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.

  • This spring marked the third publication of the Neag School’s academic journal, the Neag School of Education Journal, an editor-reviewed, open-access publication run by Neag School graduate students.
    • Now in its 32nd year, the annual Letters About Literature Contest continues to be 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.

    “Amid the continuing challenges facing the field of education, and higher education in particular, 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 ... The Neag School would not be the renowned academic and research hub it is today without them.”

    — Dean Jason G. Irizarry