It is with deep gratitude that I thank you for your generous support of the San Diego State University College of Education (COE).
This was a landmark year for us in many ways. We received our highest-ever national ranking in U.S. News & World Report's list of best graduate education programs, moving up one spot to No. 48.
We also launched new initiatives furthering our ongoing work to address the teacher shortage. Through a partnership with multiple area schools and the US PREP national coalition, we launched strategic stafng, a program that compensates teacher candidates for their student teaching.
Additionally, we are working across departments to develop an accelerated dual credential program to prepare teachers to meet the needs of multilingual learners who also qualify for special education instruction.
When you invest in COE, you give us the resources needed to innovate, support faculty, and empower students. In doing so, you make a positive impact on young people, families, and communities.
Y.Barry Chung, Ph.D. Dean College of Education
Changing Lives through Philanthropic Support
Park Family Endowed Executive Director for the Institute for Transformative Education
The Park Family Endowed Executive Director for the Institute for Transformative Education will provide sustainable support and leadership for the Institute in perpetuity. The Institute for Transformative Education (formerly known as the Pre-College Institute) houses pre-college and undergraduate ofces that promote college access, advocacy, and equity. They empower youth by providing access to educational and life resources that support students from elementary to college and career. On average, annually they support 500+ SDSU students, 1,800+ K-12 students, and 87% of the students they served enrolled in post-secondary education.
Samuel M. and Kristine J. Ciccati Scholarship
SDSU has long been the primary provider of new teachers to San Diego area school districts, and scholarships like this make it possible. The Samuel M. and Kristine J. Ciccati Endowed Scholarship will provide scholarship support to teaching credential students in the College of Education who are committed to Black Excellence in education. The frst recipients of the Samuel M. and Kristine J. Ciccati Endowed Scholarship will be awarded in fall 2024.
Sawyer C. Hsu Endowment
The Sawyer C. Hsu Endowment supports the SDSU Chinese Cultural Center’s mission of promoting education, understanding, and appreciation of the Chinese language and culture. The Chinese Cultural Center is a beautiful meeting space on campus funded by philanthropy. It hosts Chinese culture workshops and forums several times a year addressing diferent educational and cultural issues, rotating exhibitions and artifacts, monthly programming including Kung-Fu and cooking, and a two-week Six Arts Summer Camp for children grades 1-8.
From left: Dean Y. Barry Chung, Professor Cynthia Park, James Park and senior director of development Megan Beardsley.
Living the Aztec Experience
Brenna Leon, M.A.
Class
Level: Doctoral Student
College: College of Education
Major: Education
I still feel like I'm ascending in a way. I'm not entirely sure what the future holds, but I know I want to remain in a position where I can help others in a servant-leader role. It's not about aspiring to any certain position anymore. I just want to help the next generation.
Primarily, as educators and lifelong learners, we have a responsibility to help the next generation. I have been fortunate to have a lot of great mentors that have pulled that out of me and put me in positions and spaces that I might have shied away from otherwise.
Primarily, as educators and lifelong learners, we have a responsibility to help the next generation.
Mitzi Cazares, Class of 2025
Class Level: Undergraduate
Student
College: College of Education
Major: Child Development
I think, in a way, the (Courage Through Cancer) scholarship provided me with the support that I needed. Growing up in a lower socioeconomic family, our parents don't have the ability to give us the same support. Knowing that there are those foundations and resources out there brought me comfort — especially knowing that it was coming from people that have gone through similar experiences that I have.
I felt very loved. I was extremely hard on myself for what I felt. But to see male students, who don’t usually cry, tearing up speaking about their own experiences (with cancer) — it was like, ‘I'm not alone. What I went through and what I felt in the moment was OK.'
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Knowing that there are those foundations and resources out there that will help you brought comfort to me ... ”
Celebrating Shared Success
Recent Rankings
SDSU moved up one spot to No. 48 in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 list of best graduate education programs. The college also ranked:
No. 1 in San Diego County No. 1 in the California State University system No. 6 in the state of California No. 38 among public universities nationwide
Statistics of Interest
Two 2024 San Diego County Teachers of the Year were College of Education graduates.
Recent Highlights
Inspired by its involvement with the US PREP national coalition, the SDSU College of Education and partner schools and districts worked together to implement Strategic Stafng, a creative reallocation of funds that allows schools to compensate student teachers for their work. Building on the success of our popular multidisciplinary leadership minor, the College of Education now ofers a Bachelor of Science in leadership studies
New Degree
SDSU moved up one spot to #48 in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 list of best graduate education programs
The college now ofers a bachelor’s degree in leadership studies
Helping to Build a Brighter Future
Achievements:
Ana Dueñas, Ph.D.
Title: Assistant Professor
College: College of Education
Dr. Ana Dueñas is SDSU's frst-ever recipient of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Early Career Award, which will support her work to improve autism services for transborder families in the Imperial Valley.
She shares, "I'm very grateful to be at SDSU. I wouldn't have been able to conceptualize this project in the same way if I hadn't been infuenced and supported by current colleagues and been inspired by the impact they're making in the community."
Congrats, Dr. Dueñas, on being SDSU's frst-ever recipient of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Early Career Award!
Achievements:
Mary Baker-Ericzén, Ph.D.
Title: Research Professor, SDSU Department of Administration, Rehabilitation and Postsecondary Education (ARPE)
College: College of Education
Dr. Mary Baker-Ericzén earned the 2024 SDSU Outstanding Faculty Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity (RSCA) Award for non-tenure track faculty from SDSU's Division of Research and Innovation.
An expert in services to support autistic teens and adults, she also earned press for her work with a Vanderbilt University team to develop an artifcial-intelligence based driving simulator to help autistic adults to safely get behind the wheel of a car.
With the recent recognitions, Dr. Baker-Ericzén shared, "I think a lot of times, when our research felds go up against other disciplines, we sometimes are not viewed as rigorous research — which is not the case. So I feel extra thrilled that community services research in disability has risen in recognition across the university."
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Congrats, Dr. Baker-Ericzén, on earning the Non-Tenure Track Faculty Outstanding RSCA award!
Faculty Achievements
Achievements:
Diane Lapp, Ed.D.
Title: Professor Emerita, Albert W. Johnson Distinguished Professor
College: College of Education
Lapp was named recipient of the William S. Gray Citation of Merit — the highest individual honor awarded by the International Literacy Association.
Dr. Diane Lapp’s impact as a teacher educator and literacy researcher at SDSU has been immense, publishing widely on instruction, assessment and literacy-related issues. She has won a litany of awards, including being inducted into the International Reading Hall of Fame in 2005 and receiving the SDSU Alumni Distinguished Faculty Award in 2013.
On her time as an educator, she says, "I'm most proud when students write to me and say ‘you supported me’ or that I gave them something — socially, emotionally or some knowledge — that made them the person or educator they are. Those are my own many lifetime achievement awards."
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I'm most proud when students write to me and say ‘you supported me’ or that I gave them something — socially, emotionally or some knowledge — that made them the person or educator they are. ”
Teacher Preparation
Teachers have the capacity to shape the minds and futures of many— and they do so at all kinds of critical life stages. Similarly, donors have the capacity to inspire and enable future teachers and educators. This past year, generous donors contributed over $2 million in support of initiatives related to teacher preparation.
The California State University (CSU) prepares more of California’s teachers—preschool through grade 12—than any other institutions combined. In Academic Year 2023-24, SDSU graduated 326 students from its teaching credential programs who will enter the teaching profession.
San Diego State University (SDSU) is the oldest higher education institution in San Diego and has been preparing teachers since its beginning in 1897. SDSU’s College of Education has established itself as a leading institution in preparing future teachers through its School of Teacher Education, Department of Dual Language and English Learner Education and Department of Special Education. The university's emphasis on practical classroom experiences, mentorship, and researchbased teaching practices ensures that graduates are well-equipped to excel in the challenging teaching profession.
Legendary Aztecs hoops coach Steve Fisher began his career as an educator, teaching math and physical education at Rich East High School in Park Forest, Illinois. Throughout his college basketball coaching journey, he considered coaching as an extension of his teaching career. Steve Fisher recalls his time as a teacher, and calls for more young people to enter the teaching profession.
Our donors—alumni, faculty, staf and community members—continue to support scholarships for future teachers, including the newly established Drs. Alberto Ochoa and Maria Elena Ochoa Scholarship, providing support for bilingual teachers.
We are incredibly grateful to all of our generous donors.
Future teacher celebrating commencement with a decorative cap
Providing Resources for Today’s Students and Tomorrow’s Aztecs
New Endowments
Cheryl L. and James F. Mason Endowed Scholarship
Drs. Alberto Ochoa and Maria Elena Ochoa Endowed Scholarship
Global Health Legacy Endowed Scholarship
Marylinn J. Metzke Endowed Scholarship
Monica Murphy Endowed Fund
Park Family Endowed Executive Director for the Institute for Transformative Education
Samuel M. and Kristine J. Ciccati Scholarship Endowment
