June 25, 2025

By Louis Huler 

This past May, Drexel’s School of Educations’ (SoE) students received awards for their exceptional coursework and achievements outside the classroom. This year’s ceremony highlighted SoE scholars’ biggest accomplishments throughout their time as Dragons and the bright futures that lie ahead in the future.

Erica Halpern Teacher Leadership Award

This award is dedicated to Erica Halpern, a Drexel School of Education student who exemplified the exceptional passion and commitment to service education students strive for. Though her life was tragically cut short, this award is given yearly to students who show those same principles that defined Erica to honor her legacy.

This year’s recipient was Elizabeth McGrath, a rising junior working towards her bachelor’s in prek-4 education. She earned this honor through her hard work and commitment to those same principles Erica possesed.

Virginia C. Miller Scholarship

This scholarship provides aid every year to a deserving student studying education, based on academic achievement.

Mark Macwana was this year’s recipient, who earned the award for his hard work during his sophomore year. He is currently studying general science education.

SoE Faculty and Staff Student Scholarship

The Faculty and Staff Scholarship is funded entirely from the School of Education’s own staff, every year giving out a substantial scholarship to a student committed to their career in education. The award serves as a shining example of the faculty’s dedication to the future of their students.

The award this year went to Damien Delisca. Damien studies animation and visual effects, participating in Drexel’s ILLEST Lab to help create an enriching learning environment for STEM students.

Michel Miller Excellence in Special Education Award

The Michel Miller award was created to reward the service of students dedicating their time at Drexel to the field of Special Education. This memorial award is in honor of Drexel professor Michel Miller, going to scholars who follow in her legacy of positive action towards special education services.

Two master’s program students received the award for their service. MS in Applied Behavior Analysis & Special Education student Paulette Fabien and MS in Special Education student Star Copper were both awarded for their excellence in special education.

Fredericka K. Reisman Award for Outstanding Graduate Work in Creativity

This honor goes to a graduate student who applied a uniquely creative approach to their research and theoretical work when developing an innovative term capstone project. These projects are completed either during a Creativity and Innovation program, or as part of their master’s degree capstone project.

This year’s winner was David Dietrich, a current student in the MS in Creativity and Innovation program.

Dr. Ken Mawritz Memorial Award

Dr. Ken Mawritz was a Clinical Professor in the SoE. The award is dedicated to the compassion and joy for teaching and working with students that Dr. Mawritz brought everyday to his profession, students, and colleagues. It goes to a student who exemplifies those same principles in their work during their time at Drexel.

Sarah Ryan was this year’s recipient, a current student in the EdD in Educational Leadership and Management program.

Dr. Terrence Daniels Memorial Award

Named in honor of Dr. Terrence Daniels, a SoE doctorate alumni who focused his career on educational equality, this award is a collaboration between the Dean’s Office and Education Doctorate students. It goes to a student who demonstrates a drive for equity and social justice, striving to disrupt systemic problems within schooling.

Capstone Experience Award

Capstone Experience awards recognize students who graduated (or are graduating) this year, for capstone projects they completed for their master’s degree. The recipients created projects that showed deep understanding and application of research in their particular fields.

In the area of Applied Behavioral Analysis, the award went to Masters student Rylie Tuohy.

Teacher Education Capstone and Portfolio Awards

The Teacher Education Capstone and Portfolio Awards go to undergraduate and graduate students in a teacher preparation program and have gone above and beyond in their field experiences, whether in the creation of a portfolio or in their school placement.

The awards for Teacher Education went to Lisa Van Belt and Brittany Gehert. Lisa is an undergraduate working towards her degree in Elementary Education, receiving the Best Undergraduate Capstone Presentation Award. Brittany received the award for Best Graduate Capstone Presentation, while studying for her Master’s in Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum.

The DragonsTeach Capstone Portfolio Awards go to students with a STEM major, but the DragonsTeach minor, which allows them to study education without leaving their own field. This year’s recipients were Callie Stitt and Serenity Baruzzini, recognized for their portfolios as well.

School of Education Civic Engagement Award

The Civic Engagement Award is given out to a student exemplifying Drexel’s goal to become the most civically engaged school in the nation.

Tiffany Hurst, currently working towards her PHD in the SoE, received this honor for her commitment to community-engaged teaching and research.

EdD Alumni Impact Award

This honor recognizes an EdD alumnus who has made significant contributions in raising awareness or addressing a problem of practice in their respective fields.

This year’s recipient is Dr. Marlene Demaio, a practitioner of Orthopedics who received her doctorate here at Drexel and now works in Washington, D.C.

EdD Alumni Mentoring and Coaching Award

The Alumni Mentoring and Coaching Award recognizes an EdD alumnus who remained involved with the school by supporting an EdD student in their efforts to complete their doctoral studies.

Dr. Ken Jones was honored with the award this year for his continued support of Drexel’s doctoral students.

Friend of Education Award

The Friend of Education Award is given to a public figure who has maintained a positive impact on the education systems throughout their work.

This year’s recipient was Dr. Debora Carrera, the Chief Education Officer for the City of Philadelphia. She focuses on implementing the mayor’s education agenda, advocating for children and families throughout the city by pushing for year-round education opportunities, out-of-school programs, and modernization of school buildings.

Student Activities Recognition

The Student Activities Recognition honors the work that SoE scholars are pursuing outside the classroom, through community service, fellowship with other majors, and volunteerism.

The Future Educators of Drexel, a student-led club that organizes social events forming a community for Drexel students studying education, was recognized for its service to both SoE students, and the community at large. The club is led by President Isabel Comber and Vice President David Nguyen.

The Drexel Student Council for Exceptional Children, an international professional organization for improving educational success of individuals with disabilities or gifts and talents, was also recognized for their work in improving educational access and quality of life for individuals with exceptionalities in the local community. They are led by President Mark Macwana, Vice President Ally Andrews, and Secretary Kate Rosanova.

The Student Ambassadors Program is composed of student volunteers to assist the SoE with events and recruitment. Ambassadors are student leaders who dedicate their time outside of school to assisting the growth and outreach of the SoE. The recognized students, who did exemplary work as part of the program, are as follows: Mary Grace Dempsey, Mark Macwana, Madison Haney, Nick Auer, Ally Auer, and Elizabeth McGrath.

Additional Awards

Steinbright Career Development Center Co-op of the Year: Terri Goldman

“Behind Every Graduate” Award: Douglas Selfridge

Funded Co-op Recipient: Kyra Malofiy

Recognition for Academic Excellence in the School Psychology Program:
Kathryn Bastian
Ursula Connolly
Haille Hoeflein
Carli Josaphouitch
Marie Lewis
Catherine Rowe
Dallas Sternberg
Sophia Traina
Nicole Yencho-Nies

Deans’ List:
Ally Andrews
Kaitlyn Angradi
Amber Barkay
Chloe Barnes
Zoe Boynton
Gabby Breen
Chayalin Carle
Jack Clark
Clymer Taylor
Kianna Collier
Isabel Comber
Haley Conway,
Nyemma Crawford
Jenika Cuocco
Mary Grace Dempsey
Gabriella DiCaprio
Ashley DiDomenico
Kayla Emerson
Jeanne Filano
Emily Francomano
Joshua Gabriele
Cait Gailey
Melina Galias
Michelle Garza
Terri Goldman
Brittany Haines
Madison Haney
Erielle Harari
Kieran Harrington
Maritsa Koukaras
Carter Kristoff
Latta Chessie
Olivia Logan
Mark Macwana
Kyra Malofiy
Elizabeth McGrath
Tanseem Motan
Abiola Mulero
David Nguyen
Julia Pacheco
Heidy Paredes
Uthpala Perera
Felicia Phillips
Santino Pigaro
Bushra Raisa
Sam Ramos
Keegan Robertson
Kate Rosanova
Evelyn Rosario
Taslim Sabil
Sara Shambach
Alannah Taylor
Morgan Tylka
Lisa Van Pelt
Emily Washak
Lilith White
Reagan White
Michelle Wu
Leon Yang
Nicole Yaramishyn
Naomi Yoon