2019 Doctoral Student Recognition Ceremony

On May 23rd, UCI's School of Education hosted the 2019 Doctoral Student Recognition Ceremony. The event reflects upon the past year's accomplishment and announces the recipients of the annual School fellowships and awards.

Dean Richard Arum welcomed students, faculty, staff, and guests, and addressed the doctoral students, saying, "You have continued your impressive range of accomplishments and honors, including graduations, publications in major journals, presentations throughout the U.S., and representing the School of Education in the best possible light." 

Sixteen current Ph.D. candidates are slated to receive their degree this academic year: Priyanka Agarwal, Joanna Yau,  Gabriel Estrella,  Lauren Godfrey, Tien Ho, Masha Jones, Connie Kang, Tarana Khan, Hansol Lee (graduated winter 2019), Qiujie Li, David Liu, Peter McPartlan, Wendy Ochoa, Sabrina Solanki, Karen Taylor, and Osman Umarji.

Student Progress and Presentations

• During the past academic year, Ph.D. students published a total of 75 articles, demonstrating both scholarship accomplishment and progression along the path to future membership in the Academy.
• 162 student-authored articles are currently in preparation or under review.
• A total of 193 conference and professional presentations were made this past year.

Students in Leadership Positions: During 2018-2019, Ph.D. student assumed leadership positions and volunteered their time. 

• Within the School: ADSE, DECADE, Recruitment Weekend, PhD Orientation, UCI Writing Project, Professional Development Seminars, Brown Bag Presentations, Undergraduate Student Mentoring, School of Education Climate Committee, Faculty Search Committees, Admissions Committee, Labs and Research Centers, UCI Beijing Normal University Symposium, Higher Education Forum
• Within the University: DECADE, AGS, Competitive Edge Program (participants and mentors), Division of Teaching Excellence and Innovation, Education Research Initiative, Graduate Council, Newkirk Center for Science and Society, Pedagogical Fellows Program, Undergraduate Research Symposium, UCI’s Discover Science Initiative, Student Outreach and Retention Center (SOAR)
• At Local, State, and National Levels: AERA, APA, SRA, SRCD, California Forum on Diversity, Orange County Head Start, El Sol Sciences and Arts Academy of Santa Ana, North American Taiwan Studies Association, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, SACNAS

Doctoral student scholarship has been recognized both within the university and by outside organizations. A few of awards donors that are supporting Ph.D. studies include, Eugene Cota Robles Fellowship, Provost's Fellowship, Graduate Dean’s Dissertation Fellowship, NSF GRFPs, Public Impact Fellowship, President’s Dissertation Year Fellowship, Brython Davis Fellowship

Following Dean Arum's address to the doctoral students, Associate Dean Elizabeth van Es introduced the presenters for the School of Education Awards and Fellowships. (Click on the recipient's name to access the scholarship information.)

• Michael E. Martinez Prize for Outstanding Research and Service: Sabrina Solanki
• Michael E. Martinez Prize for Outstanding Research and Service: Osman Umarji
• Associate Doctoral Students in Education (ADSE) Service Award: Nestor Tulagan
• Diverse Educational Community and Doctoral Experience (DECADE) Award: Nestor Tulagan
• Keith Curry Doctoral Award: Carlos Sandoval
• Keith Curry Undergraduate Award: Jenny Youn 

Dean Richard Arum, Jenny Youn, Sabrina Solanki, Osman Umarji, Carlos Sandoval, Nestor Tulagan, PhD Director Stephanie Reich

Photographs from Doctoral Student Recognition Ceremony