Tips from Alumni Series

Tips from Alumni: Department of Health and Human Development
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Noon – 1 p.m.

Pitt Education alumni will share about their experiences as students in programs from our Department of Health and Human Development. Learn about their favorite classes, top professors, and things they wish they knew as a student.

Speakers:

• Rachael Stowe (BS ’22, MA ’25), Program Assistant, Partnership for Student Success
• Allison Mascio (BS ’24), 2nd year doctoral student, LaSalle University; Intake Clinicial, LaSalle Community Psychological Services, Doctoral Extern at Quintessential Health P.C.
• Tyler Quinn (BS ’14, MS ’15, PhD ’20), Assistant Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, West Virginia University School of Public Health
• Allison Williams (BS ’93, MS ’96, PhD ’04), Assistant Professor, Exercise Science, Mercy University
• Bri Hennigh (BS ’23, MS ’24), Physician Assistant Student, University of Pittsburgh

Moderator

• Dr. Betsy Nagle (PhD ’99), Co-Associate Chair, Department of Health and Human Development & Associate Professor

Tips from Alumni: Department of Educational Foundations, Organizations, and Policy
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Noon – 1 p.m.

Pitt Education alumni will share about their experiences as students in programs from our Department of Educational Foundations, Organizations, and Policy. Learn about their favorite classes, top professors, and things they wish they knew as a student. This department is rooted in multi-disciplinary approaches for improving structures and systems for P-20 education.

EFOP’s programs include our master’s and doctoral programs in policy, higher education, and urban education. This event is open to all (past, present, and future) students, faculty, and staff interested in hearing our alumni share their favorite classes, top professors, and things they wish they knew as a student!

Speakers:

• David Bowlin (EdD, Administrative and Policy Studies ‘04), educational consultant and adjunct professor in Teacher Education and Leadership, Youngstown State University
• Jazzkia Jones (MEd, Higher Education Management ‘21), director, Office of Institutional Engagement, Georgia Southern University
• Emily R. Koren (PhD, Administrative and Policy Studies ‘22), educational research and evaluation consultant
• Neil Parham (MEd, Administrative and Policy Studies ‘05), director, Community Affairs, Highmark Health

Moderator

• Lori Delale-O’Connor – Associate Professor and Chair, EFOP and Interim Director of Center for Urban Education

Tips from Alumni: Department of Teaching, Learning, and Leading
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Noon – 1 p.m.

Pitt Education alumni will share about their experiences as students in programs from our Department of Teaching, Learning, and Leading. Learn about their favorite classes, top professors, and things they wish they knew as a student. This department is the cornerstone of our school, housing our teacher education, early childhood education, special education, and leadership programs, among others.

This event is for anyone interested in TLL’s undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs interested in hearing our alumni share their favorite classes, professors, and things they wish they knew as a student!

Speakers:

• Autumn Dillaman (MAT, ’05), Division Director – Elementary, Falk Laboratory School
• Frances Mary D’Andrea (PhD ’10, ADCT ’23), Associate Professor of Practice, Program Coordinator – Visual Impairments and Blindness, University of Pittsburgh School of Education
• John Saras (MAT, ‘99), Co-Principal, Baldwin High School
• Anthony Sendro (MEd/ADCTG ‘23), 5th Grade Teacher, Jefferson Hills Intermediate School

Moderator

• Bart Rocco (EdD ’24), Assistant Professor of Practice, TLL, & Executive Director, Tri-State Area School Study Council

Tips from Alumni: Advice for PhD Students
Wednesday, September 18
Noon – 1 p.m.

Pitt Education alumni will share about their experiences as students in our PhD programs. Learn about their favorite classes, top professors, and things they wish they knew as a student. Get tips for preparing for a successful career as a PhD graduate — either in academia or beyond.

Speakers:

• Francesca Amati (MS ‘08, PhD ‘09), Vice-Director of the School of Medicine, University of Lausanne in Switzerland
• Chantee Earl (BA ‘00, MAT ‘01, PhD ‘10), Clinical Associate Professor, Georgia State University
• Jasmine Williams (MS ‘14, PhD ‘18), Sr. User Experience Researcher, Meta

Moderator

• Jorden King (BS ‘20, MEd ‘22, PhD student), Assistant Director of Student and Career Services, University of Pittsburgh School of Education

Tips from Alumni: Advice for EdD Students
Wednesday, November 13
Noon – 1 p.m.

Tips from Alumni: Advice for Higher Education & Education Policy Students
Wednesday, January 15
Noon – 1 p.m.

Tips from Alumni: Advice for Teacher Education Students
Wednesday, February 19
3:30 – 4:30 p.m. ET

Tips from Alumni: Advice for PhD Students
Recorded November 1, 2024

Speakers:

• Otgo Okhidoi, Deputy Research Director, ALSE Project
• Ed Sarver, Former Superintendent and Education Consultant
• Ashley Shafer, Postdoctoral Associate, Office of Child Development

Moderator:

• Sally Sherman, Associate Professor, School of Education

Tips from Alumni: Advice for EdD Students
Recorded January 10, 2024

Speakers:

• Annessa Bontrager, Senior Project Manager, Share Our Strength
• Daren Ellerbee, Director, University of Pittsburgh Educational Outreach Center
• Shallegra Moye, Associate Director of Equity, Justice, and Strategic Partnerships, Office of Child Development
• Bob Scherrer, Executive Director, Allegheny Intermediate Unit
• Lauren Wright, Chief People Officer, The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh

Moderated by Shallegra Moye with support from EdD student Lynn Rosen, Associate Director for MS Programs, University of Pittsburgh Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business.

Advice for Higher Education & Education Policy Students
Recorded February 7, 2024

Speakers:

• Cheyne Francis, Racial & Ethnic Disparities Coordinator, Allegheny County Juvenile Court and Probation
• Rose Roberts, Assistant Director of Residence Life, Ursinus College
• Douglas Stouch, Associate Director for Early Engagement & Assessment, Career & Professional Development Center at Carnegie Mellon University
• Allen Williams, Assistant Director for Retention Initiatives, Intercultural and Diversity Center at University of Buffalo

Moderator:

• Marcie Johnson, Director of Special Projects, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health

Tips from Alumni: Advice for Teacher Education Students
Recorded March 6, 2024

Speakers:

• Neil English, Superintendent, Riverview School District
• Eliza Luxbacher, English Language Arts Teacher, Fort Couch Middle School
• Brianna Ross, Assistant Principal, Deer Park Middle Magnet School
• Shaun Tomaszewski, Principal, Baldwin High School
• Tim Wagner, Principal, Upper St. Clair High School

Moderator:

• Michelle Sobolak, Associate Professor & Director of Teacher and Professional Education