Throughout the past four decades as an educator and Iowa legislator, Mary Seelman Mascher (BA '75, MA '82) has aspired to make her community and state a better place. That’s why Mascher is the recipient of the 2024 University of Iowa Distinguished Alumni Service Award.

Two College of Education alumni – Jhoon "Jake" Chung and Jesse Meyer – are serving in new leadership roles with the University of Iowa Alumni Leadership Council.

The College of Education welcomes several new faculty who bring decades of expertise, cutting-edge research, and innovative teaching to our community.

Mark McDermott, associate dean for teacher education and student services, was recently named an Impact Academy fellow through the national non-profit organization Deans for Impact. McDermott joins a cohort of leaders chosen for their commitment to improving educator preparation.

Davenport North High School junior, Gabriella Pieczynski, has been offered a full expenses paid trip to the National Educators Rising Conference, made possible thanks to a $1.26 million U.S. Department of Education grant that the University of Iowa College of Education is using to help diversify the educator workforce. The college is focusing on starting young educators’ clubs as pathways into teacher education, creating opportunities like the fully funded trip for Pieczynski.

McKenna Haag, an elementary education major, is passionate about teaching others to use their voice and to inspire self-efficacy – whether they are her students or her fellow peers.

UI Elementary Education alumnus Kenny Gaskin spent his childhood looking up to his teachers. He’s now a teacher with Des Moines Public Schools, inspiring students and building a sense of community in the classroom.

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded the UI College of Education a $1.26 million grant for a program that will partner with Iowa school districts, community colleges, and community partners. The program will support 40 high quality elementary teachers through coursework and field experiences, resulting in a Bachelor of Arts, a teaching license, and a K12 ESL endorsement in Iowa.

Kirkwood Community College students can now seamlessly transfer to the University of Iowa College of Education to obtain their elementary education licensure, due to a new articulation agreement between the two institutions.

Kayleigh Sutton, an elementary education major and a Diversity Ambassador Scholarship recipient (now the Global Access Ambassador Scholarship), participated in the Ghana Education and Culture program in summer 2023.

Students interested in becoming elementary education teachers now have another pathway to the profession thanks to a shared commitment to increase student access to higher education.

Linda R. Baker, College of Education alumna and passionate supporter of education, died Dec. 27 at age 77. Her legacy lives on in the many profound and positive contributions she and her husband Dale have made over the years. The Baker Teacher Leader Center in the UI College of Education is named in her honor.