Carlow Education

10/19/2026

Dr. Jennifer Stafford was recently interviewed as part of a recent article in the Trib on the evolving nature of traditional high school libraries.

“The age of the old library system, where it was mainly a hub of hard copies and periodicals, is expanding everywhere, so students can feel empowered to create and collaborate more,” Stafford said. “Having a space where they can problem solve and engage with digital media is important. This gives them the opportunity to expand in those areas.”

Burdened by a clunky, rarely used circulation desk and stacks of reference books from the 1970s, Brentwood Middle-High School’s library was in need of an upgrade, said Middle School Principal David Radcliffe. “Kids don’t check out books like they used to,” he said. “Las...

10/06/2026

It is with great sadness we share the passing of Professor Emerita of Education Marilyn J. Llewellyn, PhD.

Dr. Llewewllyn was a Carlow graduate in history. She went on to serve as a teacher and principal before returning to Carlow as a beloved faculty member in Education and academic administrator. We are so grateful for the many gifts of wisdom and friendship she cultivated at Carlow, and our heartfelt sympathies are extended to her family and friends.

View Marilyn J. Llewellyn's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

09/10/2026

EdD candidate Rachel Garland is centering her research in understanding lived experiences using the interpretative research tradition.

"You ask one question, and people's stories teach you to ask better ones."
Rachel Garland

09/10/2026

Please join us in welcoming Jessica Neely to the Education Department and Early Childhood Apprenticeship Program!

Jessica Neely serves as the Southwest Apprenticeship Workforce Coordinator for the Dr. Rae Ann Hirsh Apprenticeship HUB for Early Childhood Education. She joined the Education Department in July 2022 as a mentor for the apprenticeship team and now supports the coordination and growth of workforce development initiatives throughout the Southwest region.

With more than 17 years of experience in Pittsburgh's nonprofit sector, Jessica has dedicated much of her career to advancing early childhood education. Her background as a classroom teacher shaped her passion for developing and supporting a highly qualified, diverse early childhood workforce. She believes that mentorship empowers aspiring educators by building confidence, fostering professional growth, and creating pathways to meaningful careers in education.
Jessica is committed to strengthening the early childhood education profession through apprenticeship opportunities that provide hands-on learning, individualized support, and strong community partnerships. She is passionate about helping future educators develop the knowledge, skills, and professional networks needed to make a lasting impact in their classrooms and communities.

Jessica earned dual certifications in Elementary Education and Special Education from Slippery Rock University. She lives in Shaler, Pennsylvania, with her husband. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, traveling, and cheering on Pittsburgh's professional sports teams.

08/10/2026

This week, during our annual summer EdD Institute, energy and joy filled every corner. Our doctoral students arrived with thoughtful, real world questions drawn from the challenges they are already navigating in their schools, agencies, and communities. Their conversations explored equity, organizational health, teacher retention, student belonging, and the evolving future of leadership across education and human services.

These leaders represent every one of our EdD strands:

Literacy
Curriculum and Learning
Educational Leadership
Early Childhood Leadership
Special Education
Art Education, Administration, and Leadership

Our students participated in engaging workshops with program faculty and guests, had opportunities for fellowship, presented research, and spent time community building.

To our EdD cohorts: thank you for your vulnerability, your rigor, and your unwavering belief that education can be more just, more human, and more hopeful.

Thank you to our EdD planning team Patricia L. McMahon, PhD, Maria Piantanida, Ph.D., Dr. Jennifer Stafford, Kristen Buonomo, PhD, BCBA, Ann Bisignani, and Lillian Naccarati.

And thank you to the incredible Education team of faculty and staff who support this work. David Price, Sarah Zeffiro, Val Piccini, Michelle Figlar, Ed.D., Dr. Kelly Noyes, Linda Zane, DaMarra King, MBA, Susan Polojac, MiIsha Reid, PhD, Sean Freeland, Tanya Baronti, MS, MEd, Jessica Neely, Pam Zimmerman, Timothy Steinhauer, Dr. Christopher Stone, Amanda McCaleb, Ph.D., Kelly Brooks Urbani, Ed.D., Sarah Sora, Theresa Kowcheck, Miguel Burn, Sarah Posti, Patrick Baker, Rob Buffone

To learn more about this special program, visit:
https://www.carlow.edu/academic-programs/education-teaching-degrees/doctorate-in-education-program/

07/24/2026

Scholarship Announcement!

New FALL 2026 and SPRING 2027 scholarship opportunities are available for admitted graduate and doctoral students in Education, with awards ranging from $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the program. This scholarship funding is made possible by generous foundation support.

Scholarships are currently available in the following areas:
Art Education
Curriculum and Learning (part of the EdD)
Dyslexia Certificate Program
Early Childhood Supervision
Early Childhood Education
Educational Leadership, including Principal Certification and Superintendent Letter of Eligibility
Reading Specialist
Secondary Education
Special Education

These opportunities are designed to support educators and school or community leaders ready to deepen their expertise, engage in a dynamic learning opportunities, and expand their leadership skills.

To learn more about academic graduate and doctorate programs in Education at Carlow University, please visit: https://www.carlow.edu/academic-programs/education-teaching-degrees/

Please note: students must be admitted in order to apply for one of these scholarships. Apply today at no-cost: https://www.carlow.edu/become-a-celtic/

For more information, please contact Ann Bisignani, Graduate Coordinator, at [email protected].

07/23/2026

Congratulations Dr. David Price on two presentations at the Office of Child Development and Early Learning's Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts and Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program Annual Grantee Meeting at the Blair County Convention Center.

His sessions, Supporting Educators to Thrive: Building Meaningful Professional Development Plans and Building Strong Partnerships with Higher Education to Sustain the Early Childhood Workforce, showcase his professional work and research.

Early Childhood and Elementary Education are long-standing and well respected programs at Carlow. For scholarship funding options, please contact Ann Bisignani or David Price.

Early Childhood and Elementary Initial Certification
Early Childhood Supervision
Early Childhood Policy and Leadership

07/22/2026

We are pleased to invite educators, aspiring leaders, school partners, and members of our professional learning community to join us for our upcoming Educational Symposium: Reset, Reflect, Renew: Leading with Rational Optimism in Education, held on Friday, August 7th at 8:30 a.m.

This special morning will begin with coffee and pastries, followed by a keynote from Suzanne Dailey, author, instructional coach, and host of the Teach Happier podcast. Her work invites us to consider how small, intentional shifts in our thoughts, language, and actions can strengthen our well-being, deepen our connections, and help us lead with greater purpose and optimism.

Following the keynote, a panel of educators: Dr. Christopher Stone, Felix Yerace, and Sarah Zeffiro, moderated by Suzanne Dailey will continue the conversation around what it means to lead, serve, and sustain joy in today’s educational landscape.

At a time when educators are asked to carry so much, this symposium offers space to reconnect with the heart of the profession: students, colleagues, purpose, and possibility.

We hope you will join us for this meaningful morning of reflection, renewal, and professional connection.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/education-symposium-tickets-1994108417958?aff=oddtdtcreator

07/10/2026

Our Education team recently hosted a screening of Counted Out, a powerful documentary that challenges us to rethink the role math plays in our schools, communities, and democracy.

The film reminds us that math is shaping the systems that govern our world—from artificial intelligence and elections to opportunity and public policy. Yet too many people feel shut out of math, making this not only an education issue, but a civic one.

Counted Out reframes math as a tool for participation, power, confidence, and opportunity. It invites us to ask what becomes possible when all learners are supported in building a relationship with math rooted in confidence, wonder, and possibility.

It was a powerful documentary and one I highly recommend for anyone interested in education, equity, democracy, workforce development, and the systemic barriers that shape opportunity.

Thank you to our Education team at Carlow University for creating space for such an important conversation. Special thank you to Tanya Baronti, MS, MEd for organizing this project.

06/18/2026

Carlow was one of only 22% of the Pennsylvania programs reviewed to earn an A or A+. Just as importantly, NCTQ identified zero instructional practices contrary to reading research within our program.

In its 2026 review of Pennsylvania teacher-preparation programs, the National Council on Teacher Quality recognized Carlow’s undergraduate program for strong preparation across all five essential components of scientifically based reading instruction:
phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

To read the report: https://lnkd.in/eSFtxtnD