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Combination graphic featuring Janet Alsup, Christy Wessel-Powell, and the cover of their new book, First Opinions Second Reactions.

Alsup, Wessel-Powell book published

In June 2025, Purdue University Press published a new book co-edited by College of Education faculty members Janet Alsup and Christy Wessel-Powell.

First Opinions, Second Reactions: A Collection of Innovative Online Reviews of Literature for Children and Young Adults features selected pieces from the journal First Opinions, Second Reactions, which reviews children’s and young adult books. The journal, and this book, consist of reviews of books written by scholars of children’s and Young Adult (YA) literature, followed up with responses from those who share the books with their intended audiences—children and teens.

Alum Quentin Smith participates in civic education institute

Alumnus Quentin Smith (BA ’23, Social Studies Education), Social Studies educator in the Rossville Consolidated School District, recently participated in the We the People Summer Institute.

Price creates transformative experience for special ed majors, community

Richard Price recently planned and implemented a three-day agenda of undergraduate classes and community outreach activities in a new collaboration with visiting members from REVolutions Dance, an inclusive mixed-ability dance company from Florida.

Purdue University Press, Multilingual Matters publish 2 new books by Wright

Wayne E. Wright has two new book publications, including one with Vikrant Chap, a recent doctoral graduate from the College in literacy and language education.

Education’s H-H Chang named panelist for international AI summit

A renowned Purdue University College of Education faculty member and artificial intelligence (AI) expert will participate as a panelist in the University of Notre Dame’s upcoming “Trustworthy AI Lab for Education Summit”.

NSF awards Menekse team $300K funding for STEM learning project

The NSF awarded Muhsin Menekse and collaborators $300,000 in funding to enhance student learning and engagement in large lecture STEM courses.

Students explore the legacy of American democracy, solve contemporary problems, during Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellowship

Fifty-five high school students visited Purdue University this summer to learn about American government and affairs as part of the Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellowship (BFTF).

University Search Team

Supporting Indiana school districts

For over 60 years, the University Search Team has offered Indiana school districts a valuable, cost-free service, making us the preferred choice for school boards seeking consultation in hiring new superintendents.

We offer customized, multi-step assistance. From developing application materials to candidate screening and legal compliance, our four-member team collaborates closely with school boards throughout the entire superintendent search process.

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A Message From the Dean

Phillip J. VanFossen
Interim Dean and Ackerman Distinguished Professor

Since June 1, 2022, I have been honored to serve as the Interim Dean of the College of Education. I have been blessed to have a variety of experiences over my nearly three decades at Purdue, and I will draw on all of these in continuing to move the College forward as we leverage the momentum we have built with our cutting-edge curriculum that has transformed our teacher education programs—as well as our other highly successful, nationally-ranked programs across both departments.

My primary goal has been to be the College’s ‘cheerleader-in-chief’—to share the amazing successes of our faculty, students and staff. I’ve been using a metaphor to encourage folks to share these successes. Economic theory tells us that markets only work perfectly when they trade in commodities such as barrels of oil or bins of coal—or bushels of wheat. Too often, Colleges of Education are viewed as interchangeable bushels of wheat. But each success we celebrate helps define us as quinoa in a field of wheat!

We pride ourselves on offering our students “a small college experience in a Big Ten environment” and I invite you to come to the College of Education to see for yourself what it means to be a Boilermaker Educator!

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