Tips from Alumni Series

Graduation cap with "Future Teacher" design and two graduates in the background

Are you interested in hearing what our alumni have to say about their experience in the Pitt School of Education? Our Tips from Alumni series features virtual panel discussions with alumni who share their advice for current and future students.

This series is hosted by the Pitt Education Admissions & Enrollment Services Office, Alumni & Development Office, and Office of Student & Career Services.

Watch Series on YouTube

2025-26 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

 

2024-25 Series

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.

Pitt Education alumni will share about their experiences as students in our EdD 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 an EdD graduate.

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

Pitt Education alumni will share about their experiences as students in our Education Policy and Higher Education 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 Pitt Education graduate — either in academia or beyond.

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

Pitt Education alumni will share about their experiences as students in our teacher education 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 an educator.

Past Events

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
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