Awards Archive - Attallah College of Educational Studies

Attallah College Undergraduate Senior Symposium Highlights Student Research on Learning, Well-being and Agency in K-12 Schools

December 16, 2025 by Ronda Kalaji | News

The Attallah College of Educational Studies hosted its annual undergraduate Senior Symposium during the fall 2025 semester, bringing together students and faculty for a showcase of capstone research from the CES 492 course. The symposium, a culminating experience for Liberal Studies, Community Educational Studies and Integrated Educational Studies majors, featured formal presentations, Q&A sessions and discussions

California Approves New $10,000 Stipend for Student Teachers Beginning in 2026–27

December 16, 2025 by Ronda Kalaji | News

California has approved a new statewide stipend program designed to provide financial support to student teachers completing the unpaid classroom hours required for credentialing. Signed into law on June 27, Assembly Bill 121 establishes the Student Teacher Stipend Program, which will provide a $10,000 stipend to eligible student teachers who complete a minimum of 500 hours of student teaching.

Thompson Policy Institute Celebrates 10 Years of Impact, Tackles Teacher Shortage

November 24, 2025 by Ronda Kalaji | News

CASC Names Chapman’s Randee Kirkemo 2026 Counselor Educator of the Year School counseling professionals were honored for their leadership and impact on student success at the California Association of School Counselors’ 25th anniversary conference and awards ceremony in Riverside.

October 22, 2025 by Ronda Kalaji | News

Chapman University’s Attallah College of Educational Studies proudly celebrates Instructional Assistant Professor of School Counseling Randee Kirkemo, who has been named the 2026 Counselor Educator of the Year by the California Association of School Counselors (CASC). This prestigious award recognizes one school counselor educator in California each year who demonstrates exceptional leadership, mentorship, and dedication to advancing the

Alumna Tracy Walder Named Keynote Speaker for Attallah College Ceremony

May 18, 2025 by Ronda Kalaji | News

Tracy Walder, a 2007 graduate of Chapman University’s Attallah College of Educational Studies and a member of the college’s Advisory Board, will return to campus to deliver the keynote address at the 2025 Attallah College Degree Ceremony. Walder joined the CIA’s Counterterrorism Center just weeks after earning a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of

Attallah College Ph.D. in Education Students Shine at Leatherby Libraries Research Awards

May 16, 2025 by Ronda Kalaji | News

Chapman University’s Attallah College of Educational Studies celebrates the Ph.D. in Education students who earned second and third place honors in Leatherby Libraries’ 2025 Eric M. Scandrett Graduate Research Prize, spotlighting the college’s expanding research profile. Robin Gomes, Connor Bogenreif, and Mirvais ‘Mir’ Aminy earned second place for their research project, The Role of Repertoire Selection and Teacher Collaboration in

Attallah College Ph.D. Candidate Cristie Suzukawa Clancy Earns Provost’s Dissertation Fellowship

May 13, 2025 by Ronda Kalaji | News

We are thrilled to recognize the achievements of Cristie Suzukawa Clancy, MS, CCLS, a Ph.D. candidate in Chapman University’s Donna Ford Attallah College of Educational Studies. Clancy has been awarded Chapman’s Spring 2025 Provost’s Dissertation Fellowship, a competitive honor that provides tuition support and a stipend so she can focus on completing her Ph.D. in Education

Teacher Appreciation Week Spotlight: Attallah College Alum Lexi Samuelian Earns National Board Certification Elementary teacher in the Los Angeles area credits Chapman faculty for shaping her reflective practice.

May 5, 2025 by Ronda Kalaji | News

Lexi (Kurugian) Samuelian, B.A. ’17, M.A. ’18, recently earned National Board Certification as an Early Childhood Generalist, joining a select group of educators nationwide. At Chapman University, she completed both her bachelor’s degree and Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction through Attallah College’s Integrated Degree options. Samuelian now teaches first grade in the Los

Empowering Future Mental Health Leaders with Restorative Justice Practices

April 17, 2025 by Ronda Kalaji | News

Chapman University’s Attallah College of Educational Studies faculty members Anna Abdou, assistant professor of school psychology, and Randee Kirkemo, instructional assistant professor of school counseling, have been selected to receive the 2025 Community Partner Award from Groundswell at its upcoming Wave of Hope Gala on May 1, 2025. The recognition honors their leadership and collaboration

2025-2026 Attallah College Faculty Promotions

March 31, 2025 by Ronda Kalaji | News

We are thrilled to recognize two outstanding Attallah College faculty members who have earned tenure and/or promotion effective at the start of the 2025–2026 academic year, following a rigorous review by their peers and academic leadership. Please join us in celebrating this significant milestone and extending heartfelt congratulations to our esteemed colleagues!

2025 Top Employers Honored at Chapman University Organizations from a variety of industries were celebrated for their continued commitment to hiring Chapman students and alumni.

March 7, 2025 by Ronda Kalaji | Community

In his annual State of the University address on Feb. 28, Chapman University President Daniele C. Struppa recognized the institution’s Top Employers for 2025. This award honors organizations that have demonstrated a sustained commitment to hiring the university’s graduates. “We are very grateful for all the organizations that you see listed here that trust us to

Golden State Teacher Grant Now Includes School Counseling and School Psychology New Grant Opportunity Offers up to $10,000 in financial assistance to School Counseling and School Psychology Students

December 17, 2024 by Ronda Kalaji | News

The Golden State Teacher Grant now includes pupil personnel services, which allows school counselors and school psychologists to participate in the one-time grant fund opportunity. “This Golden State Teacher Grant is a great financial resource, and we are thrilled that this opportunity is now available to our students in our M.A. School Counseling and Ed.S.