• Gentry Building lit up at night.

    2021-22 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 2021-22 Annual Report. Throughout the following pages, we provide an in-depth review of faculty scholarship, national rankings, academic department high-lights, media coverage, and much more.

I am humbled by the spirit and perseverance of every individual across our School community. Amid the continuing challenges of the pandemic, our faculty, staff, and students have remained committed, standing by our mission to improve educational and social systems to be more equitable, effective, and just for all. Our alumni, donors, and school partners have also endured as our unwavering champions, demonstrating their steadfast support -- whether through 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 powerhouse it is today without them.

My hope is that this report provides you with a glimpse into their incredible and courageous work over 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 seventh consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report has ranked UConn’s Neag School of Education among the top 20 public graduate schools of education in the nation.

The Neag School stands at No. 17 among public graduate schools of education and at No. 28 for all graduate schools of education nationwide.

Read more about the Neag School’s 2023 rankings.

Faculty

  • 78 Faculty Members

  • 2 Endowed Chairs

  • 5 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’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.

  • The Neag School expanded its reach in the Early College Experience Program, providing high schoolers in 41 partner schools the opportunity to earn college credits.
  • The Dean’s Doctoral Scholars (DDS) Program continues to provide four years of full support for numerous Ph.D. students.
  • The Teacher Certification Program for College Gradautes (TCPCG) expanded to UConn Stamford, in addition to offering, for the first time, paid internships to its students in select school districts.
  • Support for aspiring teachers continues with the award of a $400,000 gift from the Neag Foundation toward scholarships for master’s- level students at the Neag School.
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, becoming 40 Under 40 honorees, 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 CNN, The New York Times, ESPN, and Education Week.
  • Champions of the Neag School make it possible for many of students to pursue their educational ambitions; this past academic year, Neag School students received more than $414,000 in scholarship support.

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 launch 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 (See More on Page 60.)
    • Now in its 29th 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