New beginnings and transformations

The Spring 2025 semester has been one of challenges as we face the changing landscape in education and research. But it has also been a semester of accomplishments for the SMU Simmons School of Education and Human Development. We are pleased that Simmons continues to be ranked in the top 50 of public and private graduate schools of education in the U.S. News & World Report rankings. We are ranked in the top 11 private schools of education in the nation and are in the top three public and private grad schools in Texas.

The credit for that goes to our outstanding faculty researchers, and the exciting work they are doing. We also have some exceptional graduate students, and post-doctoral fellows who are already doing great things. We can’t wait to see how far they will go.

As we approach graduation, I am reminded that Spring is all about new beginnings and transformations; it's a season that symbolizes starting fresh and as you read on you will learn why that is certainly the case at SMU.

I wish you a wonderful graduation season and a happy summer.

Stephanie L. Knight

Leon Simmons Endowed Dean

Simmons is still celebrating and preparing to welcome SMU’s new President, Jay Hartzell, who currently serves as President at that big university down the road, the University of Texas at Austin. His tenure, effective June 1, 2025, will mark a new chapter in this university’s illustrious history. Of course, we are grateful to our outgoing SMU President R. Gerald Turner who has been such a great supporter of SMU Simmons School of Education and Human Development. After leading the University for three decades, he will now transition to the full-time role of president emeritus supporting the new president and the University’s development and external affairs.

We had more major news in February when SMU achieved Carnegie Research One (R1) status joining the nation’s top research universities with that designation. We are very proud that Simmons contributed greatly to the effort by attracting more than $90 million in external funding from more than 70% of Simmons tenured faculty involved in funded research over the last 8 years.

History Making Award

That great Simmons research news includes a history making $14 million grant awarded to Dr. Leanne Ketterlin Geller to improve Math learning loss. The grant is the largest single dollar amount awarded in SMU history. The funding awarded by the Department of Education is aimed at helping students gain a strong grasp of fractions as a building block to help them in the future as they learn higher level math such as algebra. SMU Simmons will lead the SCALE UP Fraction Face-Off program with implementation partners including the University of Missouri and The University of Texas at Austin. Collaboration partners include the University of Virginia, the University of Hawaii, Georgia State University and the University of California, Riverside. WestEd will serve as the independent evaluator.

PhD Student Receives Presidential Award

A Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring was presented by President Joe Biden in January to The GEMS Camp founded by Saki Milton, a Simmons PhD student. The award honors Gems’ incredible impact in mentoring and empowering underrepresented middle school girls in STEM. Administered by the National Science Foundation on behalf of the White House Oﬃce of Science and Technology Policy, the Presidential Award celebrates mentors who provide critical guidance outside of traditional classrooms, shaping the future of the STEM workforce. Each Presidential Awardee receives a certiﬁcate signed by the President of the United States and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.

Dr. Mai Zaru, a post-doctoral fellow in the Simmons Teaching and Learning Department, has been named to the International Literacy Association’s 2025 30 Under 30 list. This prestigious honor recognizes emerging leaders who are transforming literacy education in classrooms, communities, and beyond. The list includes change-makers from 12 countries, all under the age of 30. Dr. Zaru says the shared mission of the group is to break down the barriers to access and opportunities that persist in classrooms and communities.

Dr. Mario De La Garza, Counseling Director and Clinical Assistant Professor in Simmons Department of Counseling, has been elected to the position of President Elect in the Texas Counseling Association (TCA). His three-year term (President Elect, President, & Past President) will start July 1, 2025. TCA is the largest and most influential counseling association in Texas with 7,500+ members.

Onward. Upward. Always.

The Simmons School of Education and Human Development is changing minds – and challenging

the way we think. As a transformative leader, our commitment to rigorous, research-driven

programs promotes evidence-based, effective practices and policy. Fresh thinking and breakthrough

research will drive meaningful change in the fields of education and human development.

Stay in the know.

smu.edu/changingminds

simmons@smu.edu | 214-768-2000