Dear Levin Community,

As we close out the academic year, we're proud to celebrate nearly 500 graduates whose work at Levin has prepared them to lead and make a difference in their communities.

Among them is our valedictorian, Vivian France, a criminology and sociology major whose path to law school is rooted in a strong commitment to advocacy and justice. (Read more about Vivian's journey below.)

We're also celebrating graduates like Hannah Gates, who earned her degree in communication and represented Levin at CSU Radiance, speaking about the impact of her Levin experience. She will continue at Levin this fall in our Master of Public Administration program, deepening her commitment to public service. (Read Hannah's story here.)

Communication students continue to stand out for their hands-on experience and connections to Cleveland's media community. Kirsten Kimbler is one example, building her portfolio through internships with The Land, Fox 8's New Day Cleveland, and Cleveland Magazine, and continuing that momentum this summer with Cleveland Metroparks. (Read Kirsten's story.)

In our doctoral program, Dr. Richard Austin earned his Ph.D. in Urban Education, conducting research on identity, belonging, and the student experience. His work is helping shape how students in Cleveland experience education while informing how educational institutions create more supportive environments. Dr. Austin currently serves as the Director of Ignatian Community and Belonging at St. Ignatius High School.

These graduates exemplify the mission in our recently launched strategic plan, Levin Forward, "Inspiring Changemakers, Igniting Transformations," and offer just a glimpse of how Levin students are making an impact. (Explore more student stories.)

Thank you to the Levin personnel for the mentorship that makes this success possible, and congratulations to the Class of 2026. We're proud of you and excited to see what comes next.

Warmly,

Levin's School of Education and Counseling Earns Straight 'A's' for Teacher Prep in Reading Foundations

CSU's graduate and undergraduate elementary teacher preparation programs in the School of Education and Counseling (SEC) within the Levin College of Public Affairs and Education earned A grades from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) for how well they prepare future teachers to teach reading to elementary students. CSU was recognized for its Bachelor of Science in Education PK-5 Education and Master of Education P5-Education with Licensure programs. The report published on June 9, Teacher Prep Review: Decoding Progress in Reading Preparation, highlights CSU for meeting the standards set by literacy experts for coverage of the most effective methods of reading instruction. CSU is at the forefront of a growing group of teacher preparation programs nationwide transforming how future teachers are trained to teach reading.

Levin College Ranked Third in the Nation by U.S. News & World Report

The CSU Levin College of Public Affairs and Education earned national recognition, with its urban policy program placing No. 3 in the country, making it the highest‑ranked program of its kind in Ohio. Additionally, Levin was recognized as the highest ranked program in local government management.

Vivian France Named Levin College Spring 2026 Valedictorian

Vivian France’s selection as the Spring 2026 Valedictorian for Cleveland State University’s (CSU) Levin College of Public Affairs and Education is more than an academic honor. It represents the culmination of years of perseverance, sacrifice, and determination to build a different future.

Levin College Doctoral Student Named Prestigious Fulbright Scholar

Katherine Antall, a doctoral candidate in the counseling psychology specialization at CSU and sexual health specialist in the Behavioral Health Department at the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities, spent the semester in Ireland as a Fulbright Scholar.

CSU's Ph.D. in Urban Education Program Elevates Dr. David Glasner's Vision for Public Education

Dr. David Glasner completed his Ph.D. in Urban Education in the fall of 2018. Just months later, he stepped into the role of Superintendent of the Shaker Heights City School District, one of the few districts in North America, to offer the International Baccalaureate Programme to all students at every grade level. The timing was not a coincidence. His doctoral experience sharpened his ability to navigate intricate systems, build consensus among stakeholders, and keep students at the heart of every decision.

CSU Leads the Field as Host of 37th Annual Great Lakes Regional Conference

Continuing a longstanding tradition of leadership in counseling psychology education, Cleveland State University’s School of Education and Counseling hosted the 37th Annual Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference on April 24–25 at Julka Hall. The event was convened by CSU’s Levin College of Public Affairs and Education.

Levin College Proves to be Changemaker for Regional Progress at Mayors Forum

Cleveland State University’s (CSU) Levin College of Public Affairs and Education has long served as a bridge between the classroom and City Hall. On February 11, that bridge was on full display as municipal leaders from across the region gathered for the Mayors Forum: Critical Issues for Cities in 2026.

Dr. Stephanie Ryberg-Webster Receives Western Reserve Award

Congratulations to Dr. Stephanie Ryberg-Webster, professor in the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs at CSU, on receiving the Western Reserve Award for her book Preserving the Vanishing City (Temple University Press). Presented by the Western Reserve Architectural Historians, the award recognizes significant achievements and outstanding contributions to the architectural history of Ohio and the Western Reserve. Preserving the Vanishing City examines historic preservation in the context of urban decline and documents the successes, setbacks, and strategies involved in saving Cleveland’s built environment. We are proud to see Stephanie’s scholarship recognized through this selective award.

COM 430 Capstone Students Thrive with Real-World Opportunity

Students in Cleveland State University’s (CSU) School of Communication COM 430 Digital Content Production course stepped beyond the classroom on April 30 and into the professional world, gaining valuable hands-on experience through a capstone partnership with The Sixty6.

Professors Kent and Lovell Release Co-Authored 185-Page ShotSpotter Report

Drs. Stephanie Kent and Rachel Lovell, professors in the Criminology Research Center at Cleveland State University’s (CSU) Levin College of Public Affairs and Education, released their co-authored 185-page report on Cleveland Police’s use of ShotSpotter and presented their findings at Cleveland City Council’s Public Safety Committee. The meeting, which was covered in by Signal Cleveland, debated the effectiveness of the ShotSpotter technology.

Levin in Focus

Save the Date

Celebrating 50 Years of the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs

Throughout the 2026–27 academic year, we will honor our history, celebrate the people and partnerships that shape our community, and look ahead to the next fifty years of leadership, service, and impact. Join us for two signature anniversary events:

Reflecting on Our Past, Shaping Our Future

Thursday, November 12, 2026

4:00–6:00 p.m.

Steinbacher Atrium, Glickman‑Miller Hall (UR)

1717 Euclid Avenue

50 Years in the Making

Tuesday, March 2, 2027

5:30–7:30 p.m.

Student Center Ballroom

2121 Euclid Avenue

Learn More

Share This Email