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![Gretchen Stewart headshot](/education/blog/images/2021/gretchen-stewart-490-327.jpg)
Doctoral student receives national fellowship from Drexel Fund to launch inclusive private school
USF doctoral student Gretchen L. Stewart was awarded a fellowship by The Drexel Fund to help launch a new private school in the Tampa Bay area.
March 9, 2021College of Education News, Student Life
![Mellissa Alonso-Teston](/education/images/about-us/news/student-spotlights/mellissa-alonso-teston-320.jpg)
Alumni Spotlight: Mellissa Alonso-Teston
Since graduating, USF alumna Mellissa Alonso-Teston began teaching and advanced into a district position in 1996 that enabled her to author and lead Hillsborough County Public Schools' Reading Coach Project. In 2017, Alonso-Teston’s desire to become an education researcher motivated her to pursue a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Literacy Studies at USF.
March 3, 2021Alumni and Friends, Student Life
![Laura Meehan](/education/images/about-us/news/student-spotlights/laura-meehan-320.png)
Student Spotlight: Laura Meehan
Laura Meehan knew her passion for music and students with disabilities would guide her to make a meaningful difference. Driven to learn more about policy, Meehan took on leadership roles within her school and began working toward a PhD in Educational Leadership in USF's College of Education.
March 3, 2021Student Life
![Donna Knudsen](/education/images/about-us/news/student-spotlights/knudsen-headshot-320.jpg)
Student Spotlight: Donna Knudsen, Ed.D.
A self-proclaimed "later-in-life" graduate student, Donna Knudsen didn’t think she could take her academic journey any further—until she discovered USF’s Ed.D. in Educational Program Development.
February 12, 2021Academics, Student Life
![Sara Leikin](/education/images/about-us/news/student-spotlights/sara-leikin-headshot-320.jpg)
Student Spotlight: Sara Leikin
Dedicated to her role as director of a STEM schools project in Cairo, Egypt, USF graduate student Sara Leikin had no intention of pursuing a doctoral degree. When she learned about USF’s Doctor of Education in Educational Program Development, she felt confident in her ability to continue her studies from a distance.
January 14, 2021Student Life
![Wilfredo Pena](/education/images/about-us/news/student-spotlights/wilfredo-pena.jpg)
Student Spotlight: Wilfredo Pena
Becoming a school counselor wasn’t something Wilfredo Pena originally set out to do. After earning his bachelor’s degree in special education from St. Petersburg College, Pena’s plan to continue his studies and work as a school administrator shifted when one of his mentors encouraged him to consider a career in counselor education.
November 17, 2020Academics, Student Life
![Hillary Van Dyke headshot](/education/images/about-us/news/student-spotlights/hillary-van-dyke.jpg)
Student Spotlight: Hillary Van Dyke
During her master's program at USF, Hillary Van Dyke's fascination with studying equity in schools grew and inspired her to pursue an unanticipated career direction—academic research and the creation of a not-for-profit organization that supports Black-owned businesses in the Tampa Bay community.
November 5, 2020Community Engagement, Student Life
![Deeksha Aradhya photo](/education/images/about-us/news/student-spotlights/deeksha-aradhya.jpg)
Student Spotlight: Deeksha Aradhya
After earning two degrees and pursuing a career in early childhood education within her home country of India, Deeksha Aradhya wanted to continue her studies to view the field through a research lens.
September 3, 2020Student Life
![Cristina Viera](/education/images/about-us/news/student-spotlights/cristina-viera-headshot-320.jpg)
Student Spotlight: Cristina Viera
Establishing a career centered on history was what Cristina Viera aimed for when she started her college journey. After commencing a career in education, she transitioned to a civilian position with the Department of Defense (DoD). During her 12 years with the DoD, Viera realized teaching was her true calling.
July 15, 2020Academics, Student Life
![Linda Morales](/education/images/about-us/news/student-spotlights/linda-morales-regalia.png)
Alumni Spotlight: Linda Morales
As a parent of three and a former stay-at-home mom, Linda Morales was no stranger to the term “parent involvement.”
May 19, 2020Alumni and Friends, Student Life
![Francesca Perrone-Britt teaching at Mort Elementary](/education/images/about-us/news/student-spotlights/francesca-perrone-britt-320.jpg)
Alumni Spotlight: Francesca Perrone-Britt
With a lifelong desire to become a teacher, USF alumna Francesca Perrone-Britt eventually found her passion in working with elementary-aged students. Today, the soon to be three-time graduate of the university teaches at a school less than 10 minutes from USF’s Tampa campus, and the achievements she’s made so far in her career led her to become the 2020 recipient of the College of Education’s Young Educator Alumni Award.
May 5, 2020Alumni and Friends
![Mona Jain with family](/education/images/about-us/news/student-spotlights/mona-jain-family-photo-320.png)
Alumni Spotlight: Mona Jain
Dr. Mohinder “Mona” Jain, MD, PhD `84, has dedicated her career to the field of education and serving as a fearless advocate for her students.
May 5, 2020Alumni and Friends