Faculty and Staff News

Jerry Longo, clinical associate professor, published an article in the February edition of AASA's monthly magazine, School Administrator. The article, titled "The Celebration, and Why It Matters," details Longo's experience as the new superintendent at the Quaker Valley School District, and how he learned the importance of tradition, culture, and celebration within schools.

The White House held a summit on higher education last week, and Research Assistant Professor of Education Lindsay Page's work on "summer melt" was cited in the event's summary report and also referenced by Gene Sperling, director of the National Economic Council. The events unfolded at a daylong White House event that assembled more than 100 college president and dozens of other nonprofit, corporate, and foundation leaders to discuss how to better recruit and graduate more students from low-income families. Page was also cited in the Chronicle of Higher Education in an article about why giving prospective students additional information is unlikely to affect where they attend college.

Rich Milner, the Center for Urban Education director at the School of Education, was ranked number 88 in the Edu-Public Scholar list by Education Week. This marks his second year on the list; in 2013 he ranked number 95. The 2014 RHSU Edu-Scholar Public Influence ranking system recognizes university-based scholars in the United States who are contributing most substantially to public debates about education.

The Fanny Edel Falk Laboratory School, part of the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Education, today announced that it has named Jeff Suzik as the 83-year-old K-8 institution’s next director. Suzik will also hold an appointment as associate professor in the School of Education. Currently Head of School at Mounds Park Academy in St. Paul, Minnesota, Suzik will take over at Falk on July 1. He succeeds Wendell McConnaha, current director, who is set to retire then. Find out more here.

Assistant professor in the program of applied developmental psychology, Shannon Wanless, recently published an article in the Harvard Family Research Project's newsletter, FINE. The particular issue of the publication focuses on innovative approaches to preparing and training educators for family engagement. Wanless' specific article, "Professional Development in Family Engagement: A Few Often-Overlooked Strategies for Success," is available to view here.