College of Education

2025 News

University Libraries Honors Graduate Students with 2025 Data Visualization Awards

Four University of South Carolina graduate students are the winners of University Libraries’ 2025 Graduate Student Data Visualization Award, including Pighla Arerzo Sediqi, Ph.D. candidate in Education Administration in the College of Education.

Championing Inclusivity and Excellence at Airport High School

Matt Schilit, the dedicated principal of Airport High School, has recently been honored as Principal of the Year by the South Carolina Council for Exceptional Children. This prestigious award recognizes his unwavering commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all students, particularly those with special needs. The council's mission is to "improve educational outcomes and quality of life of individuals with exceptionalities and their families through the actions of professionals, advocates and other agencies."

US News Rankings: College of Education soars to spot 27, number 18 in public institutions

The College of Education improved two spots, ranking No. 27 in the overall Best Education Schools, and is No. 18 nationally among public institutions and No. 4 among SEC schools. The college has improved by 60 spots in the rankings over the past three years.

Unpack information on the 2023-24 South Carolina teacher workforce in SC TEACHER's latest release

This year's workforce profile examines data by school organizational level, while also comparing state-level findings to national and regional trends, to better understand potential relationships between workforce characteristics and the teacher pipeline.

Supporting others is the power up for this year's Secondary Principal of the Year

When most people hear, "principal of the year," they would likely imagine someone who grew up enjoying school and breezing through their lessons. For Matt Sherman, (2011, Education Administration) that was not the case. During his childhood, he struggled academically. With the support of his teachers, he persevered and went on to not only teach but become the 2025 South Carolina Association of School Administrators Secondary Principal of the Year.

The 2025 Champions of Education

Each year the College of Education honors outstanding and innovative educators in South Carolina.

Best Practices: One student's research creates more informed teacher preparation

Shea Ferguson's journey into the world of educational psychology began with a simple yet profound question: How can we better prepare teachers to understand the science of learning and development?

Keighley George is a 2025 Milken Educator Award Recipient

Keighley George (2018, Master of Education in Teaching) grew up in a family of educators. She always knew she would join the profession to make a difference in the lives of others. She wanted her job to be meaningful and purpose driven. Recently, her work was honored when George was presented with the Milken Educator Award, a prestigious national honor hailed as the "Oscar of Teaching," that recognizes exceptional educators for their dedication to excellence in education and leadership.

Think, Solve, Succeed- Thinking critically with IRED at Family STEM Day in Charleston

The Institute for Rural Education and Development presented critical thinking activities for children and adults at Family STEM Day in Charleston.

2-time Olympic gold medalist's 2nd act connects athletes' minds, bodies

Natasha Hastings came to the University of South Carolina with dreams of excelling as an athlete. Although her talent eventually would propel her to an NCAA championship, multiple world championships and two Olympic gold medals, her initial start on the Gamecock track and field team was less than stellar. Her body was sound, but she had psychological demons to slay.

Chris Burkett is named the recipient of the Dr. Jennifer Wilson Excellence in Teaching Award

Gamecock EdQuarters Executive Director, Chris Burkett, Ed.D., is the 2025 Dr. Jennifer Wilson Excellence in Teaching Award recipient. Award recipients across the state were nominated by their peers for their dedication to middle level education.

Groundbreaking Beginnings: Shaping the Future with SKIP+CODE

Pre-med student Hailey Smith shares her experience working with the Institute for Rural Education and Development on the SKIP+CODE core of the project.

Impacting every era

Norah Dixon graduated in December. Along the way she had a wide and varied educational journey, including research on Richard Greener alongside COE professor Christian Anderson.

Professor inducted into the Reading Hall of Fame

Catherine Compton-Lilly was inducted into the Reading Hall of Fame. This elite group of educators and scholars shapes reading education and helps to make reading accessible for learners of all ages. Compton-Lilly shares her research, career experiences and hopes for her position.

COE faculty recognized for social justice work

The University of South Carolina has recognized students, faculty and staff members for their work on campus and in the larger community with 2025 Social Justice Awards.

Life Starts Here!

USC’s CarolinaLIFE is a nondegree, residential, inclusive program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. CarolinaLIFE students explore their career interests and hone their employment skills through individualized coaching and access to University of South Carolina courses. On any given day, staff members might prepare them for job interviews, teach them about budgeting money or introduce them to campus organizations.

USC alumnus finds his true calling in the kindergarten classroom

Charleston native Keith Heyward, Jr. was a restless third-grader when he realized his career goal was to teach. In the years since kindergarten, the inquisitive boy regularly had been disciplined for “talking too much” in the classroom. Now he uses this questionable attribute for good.

College of Education at the Literacy Research Association

The College of Education was well-represented at the Literacy Research Association Conference in Atlanta, Ga, with more than 10 current and former graduate students and seven professors presenting at the conference. In addition to our excellent representation, Professor Catherine Compton Lilly was inducted into the Reading Hall of Fame.

Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.