Opportunity Starts Here

UMID Transition Resource Fair Hosts Hundreds of Students with Disabilities

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis Institute on Disability (UMID) hosted its Fall 2025 Transition Resource Fair Thursday, Nov. 20, welcoming nearly 300 high school students with intellectual and developmental disabilities from across the region. The event continues a long tradition of connecting students and families to the services, programs and community resources that help young adults prepare for successful and inclusive futures. 

Student / Mentor / Supervisor of the Month: November 2025

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The College of Education (COE) Office of Teacher Education and Clinical Practice (OTECP) is proud to announce the recipients of Student Teacher, Mentor Teacher and Supervisor of the Month for November 2025: Olivia Brown, Amy McCoy and Rebecca Bocz. 

EDPR StudentReceives Distinguished Research Award

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Zaria J. Reed, a BA to PhD student in Educational Psychology and Research (EDPR), has  received the Distinguished Research in Progress Award at the Mid-South Educational Research Association (MSERA) 2025 Conference in New Orleans. 

Student / Mentor / Supervisor of the Month: October 2025

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The College of Education Office of Teacher Education and Clinical Practice is proud to announce the recipients of Student Teacher, Mentor Teacher and Supervisor of the Month for October 2025: Mark Maclin, Amanda Wellons and Anne Faulks.

University of Memphis Institute on Disability Returns to Dean’s Office, Names Patrick Krolik Co-Director

MEMPHIS, Tenn.  –  As the need for inclusive higher education and disability support continues to grow nationwide, the University of Memphis Institute on Disability (UMID) is entering a new phase of growth and collaboration under the College of Education Dean’s Office.

COE Awarded $925K to Strengthen Vocational Rehabilitation Workforce

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis College of Education (COE) has been awarded a five-year, $925,657 Rehabilitation Long-Term Training Grant by the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) Rehabilitation Services Administration.

UMID Awarded $1.86 Million to Expand Inclusive Higher Education

MEMPHIS, Tenn.  – The University of Memphis College of Education (COE) has been awarded a five-year, $925,657 Rehabilitation Long-Term Training Grant by the U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration

Carnival Memphis Names UMID and TigerLIFE a 2025 Children’s Charity Partner

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis Institute on Disability (UMID) and its TigerLIFE program have been selected as one of the 2025 Children’s Charity Initiative beneficiaries by Carnival Memphis, a philanthropic organization that has celebrated and supported the Mid-South community since 1931. 

Student / Mentor / Supervisor of the Month: September 2025

Memphis, Tenn.  – The College of Education (COE) Office of Teacher Education and Clinical Practice (OTECP) is proud to announce the recipients of Student Teacher, Mentor Teacher and Supervisor of the Month for September 2025: Jalice Sargent, John Rawson and Jennifer Bubrig.

UofM College of Education Strengthens Teacher Pipeline Through Partnerships with 14 School Districts

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis College of Education (COE) has finalized agreements with 14 school districts across West Tennessee, expanding opportunities for teacher candidates to complete internships and residencies in K–12 classrooms.

Dr. Ayers at the Forefront of STEMM Education and Outreach at St. Jude

Dr. Kate Ayers believes every student should have the opportunity to see themselves as a scientist. An alumna of the University of Memphis College of Education’s Educational Psychology and Research (EDPR) program, she is bringing that vision to life through her leadership of the STEMM Education and Outreach Program at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

HAPPEL-PARKINS NAMED DEPARTMENT CHAIR

The College of Education (COE) at the University of Memphis has announced the appointment of Dr. Alison Happel-Parkins as chair of the Department of Leadership (LEAD). She currently holds a joint faculty appointment as associate professor of Educational Research and Higher and Adult Education and has served as LEAD’s interim chair since 2023.

Alumni Leadership Publish on Online EdD Comprehensive Exams

Two proud alumni of the University of Memphis College of Education are helping shape the future of doctoral education.Dr. Topeka Small Singleton and Dr. Jaques D. Singleton, both faculty members at Arkansas State University, recently published a research article in the Arkansas Association of Teacher Education Journal.

Dr. Chrisann Schiro-Geist Addresses United Nations on Inclusive Higher Education

Dr. Chrisann Schiro-Geist, Director of the University of Memphis Institute on Disability (UMID) and Professor of Rehabilitation Counseling, recently addressed a global audience at the United Nations in New York City.

Schiro-Geist Receives Inaugural Service Award

SAVANNAH, Ga.  –  Dr. Chrisann Schiro-Geist will receive the inaugural Service Award from the Association for Rehabilitation, Research, Policy and Education (ARRPE). The award recognizes an individual who has contributed to national issues related to service to persons with disabilities from a research, policy and/or education position. 

COE Announces 2025 Rumble Award Winners

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The College of Education has announced this year’s recipients of the H.E. Rumble Outstanding Student Teacher Award, the college’s highest honor for student teachers. The winners are Keleigh Henry and Aubrey Montague, both Memphis natives. 

Music Education Alum Reflects on Recent Grammy Win

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – It’s been three weeks of “hooray” for Adrian Maclin, as he says. The hoorays are congratulations coming at all hours of the day after he received a Grammy for the 2025 Music Educator Award earlier this month. Maclin was selected out of 2,400 music teachers across the country.

Early Childhood Major Brings Education to Le Bonheur’s Youngest Patients

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Jailene Moreno is breaking new ground for the College of Education (COE) at the University of Memphis as the first student to complete her teacher residency semester at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Downtown Memphis. This unique opportunity is part of the All Kids Academy.

CREP to Evaluate Multi-Million Dollar Grant with Literacy Mid-South

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The College of Education’s Center for Research in Educational Policy (CREP) has been tasked with evaluating a Literacy Mid-South’s (LMS) Tutor901 program. LMS recently received a $6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education, allowing them to expand the tutoring program’s capacity by approximately 1,500 students.