As 2024 comes to a close, we are thrilled to look back on another year of learning, achievement, and community across our No. 1-ranked School of Education.
From the conclusion of Diana Hess’ nearly decade-long tenure as dean to the introduction of our new leader, Dean Marcelle Haddix, this year has given us opportunities for reflection, gratitude, and excitement for the future.
From “out of this world” research to groundbreaking gaming achievements a little closer to home, here’s a look at just a handful of the more than 300 stories we shared this year. We can’t wait to see what our community accomplishes across the arts, health, and education in 2025!
Check out this sampling of 2024 highlights:
UW–Madison’s Puntambekar and Karumbaiah examine how AI can help teachers and students succeed
Two School of Education faculty members are leading several projects that examine how artificial intelligence could be made more useful for students and teachers.
UW–Madison School of Education ranked No. 1 by U.S. News & World Report
UW–Madison’s School of Education is No. 1 according to the 2024 U.S. News & World Report Best Education Graduate Schools rankings. In addition, 10 of the School’s graduate programs were rated by U.S. News — including a No. 1 ranking for the Educational Psychology program.
Donors deliver $11 million in new funding to back Wisconsin educators
The UW–Madison School of Education announced a major new investment to support Wisconsin educators this year, with funds to extend the Teacher Pledge program, invest in the Early Career Teaching Institute, and bolster the Mary T. Kellner Teacher Education Center.
Five UW–Madison students awarded NAEd/Spencer Foundation Dissertation Fellowships
Five UW–Madison graduate students from the Department of Educational Policy Studies were among 35 fellowship recipients nationwide.
UW–Madison to host gathering for experts on education and political polarization
A group of education and political science scholars from across the country gathered on campus this summer to dig into how political polarization is impacting young people and civic education in K-12 schools.
Media literacy game from UW–Madison’s Field Day Lab wins big at Games for Change Awards
An educational video game focused on media literacy created at UW–Madison’s Field Day Lab won two top honors at the 2024 Games for Change Awards last week.
School of Education launches new Dance Education certificate program
The 14-credit program in Dance Education will provide students with specialized knowledge specific to the field and prepare them for a variety of careers that involve teaching dance or integrating dance in the classroom.
University Theatre to present Tony Kushner’s epic ‘Angels in America’
University Theatre launched its 2024-25 season with the staging of Tony Kushner’s acclaimed two-part play, “Angels in America,” which is widely regarded as one of the most important American plays of the last century.
UW–Madison’s Burt launches Black Males in Engineering project aimed at combating shortage of Black men in STEM
Black Males in Engineering, led by faculty member Brian Burt, is a new multimedia resource aimed at combating the shortage of Black men in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
From Madison to Mars: Schrage lab uses NASA grant to study potential harms of radiation on astronauts
Postdoctoral fellow Kaylin Didier and professor of kinesiology Bill Schrage are leading a project that aims to increase understanding of how radiation — which exists in high levels on the journey to Mars — affects human immune cells.
UW–Madison team receives $17M to expand job training and career support programs for individuals with disabilities
A team of School of Education researchers in WCER’s Innovative Partnership for Advancing Rehabilitation Research and Training (IPARRT) are dedicated to improving job training and career-related support for individuals with disabilities. The team received several new federal grants this year to expand their work.
UW–Madison’s Budge, Tebbe to build better understanding of social support for transgender, nonbinary individuals
Building a better way to measure and understand social support systems for transgender and nonbinary individuals is at the heart of a new research project co-led by a School of Education faculty member.
Open Studio Day: A glimpse at artists’ work, from neon to paint to pottery
Over 50 student artists showed their work at the UW–Madison Art Department‘s Annual Open Studio Day on Saturday, Nov. 2 in the Art Lofts and Humanities Building.