\Noteworthy\

Alumni Notes

  • 1960s

  • Carol Serotta, CW’67, GED’68, was recently inducted into her high school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. A former recipient of the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching who headed the Department of Mathematics at Cabrini University for 20 years, she is now professor emerita.

  • 1970s

  • Tom Bruggman, GED’78, writes that he and son, Twill, went to Belize to help the Belize Zoo. They also found time to scuba dive, zipline, swim, and visit the Mayan pyramids.
  • Paul Dickler, W’70, GRD’76, has been retired as an adjunct at Penn for 20 years, and at 76, still teaches summer courses at three universities. He has traveled to over 75 countries and all US states for both pleasure and consulting work.
  • Sandy Snitow Gorman, CW’72, GED’73, writes that although she is no longer involved in her educational consulting practice, she continues to be extremely busy with her other pursuits and interests. She and her husband moved from Stamford, CT, to Manalapan, NJ, where they currently live. She would be glad to hear from any alums who would like to say hello at COED7777@aol.com.
  • Alice Korngold, CW’74, GED’77, published her third book, A Better World, Inc.: Corporate Governance for an Inclusive, Sustainable, and Prosperous Future (Palgrave Macmillan).
  • Rick Weiner, GRD’79, retired in 2018 after a career as a school psychologist and later as a college instructor of statistics and psychology. He and his wife live in sunny West Central Florida. He writes: “Hello to the friends I made on campus in the late ’70s.”

  • 1980s

  • Ann Noe Dapice, NU’74, GR’80, published her book called To Thine Own Self: Values and Ethics in a Complicated World.
  • Cindy Weill, GED’87, published the ninth book, ¡Tocamos!:Mexican Folk Art Music Makers in English and Spanish in her First Concepts in Mexican Folk Art series.
  • Shelley Wepner, GED’73, GRD’80, was appointed to the editorial board of the Journal of Higher Education Management for the American Association of University Administrators.

  • 1990s

  • Jeffrey Berger, GR’91, retired as an emeritus professor of philosophy from Community College of Philadelphia. He chaired the department for 13 years and received both the Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award and Penn GSE’s Castetter Alumni Award of Merit.
  • Madeline Pinchuk Boehning, GED’98, earned a PhD in inclusive special education and works with preservice teachers on policies, practices, and pedagogy for inclusive classrooms.
  • Alison Cook-Sather, GR’96, is the Mary Katharine Woodworth Professor of Education at Bryn Mawr College, where she created and leads the Students as Learners and Teachers (SaLT) program. She consults at institutions around the world, supporting them in launching student-faculty pedagogical partnership programs. As a result of this work, she currently sits on the Student Engagement and Teaching and Learning Committee as an international expert for the Higher Education Authority in Ireland, which leads the strategic development of the Irish higher education and research system, and on the Fellowship Board at University College Dublin to support faculty fellows working in the “Engagement through Partnership: Students as Partners in Teaching and Learning” scheme.
  • Peggy Haykal, C’87, GED’92, is in her 10th year teaching water safety and swim skills to all ages and abilities. She is a Red Cross-trained instructor and certified USA Swimming coach, working with everyone from beginners to triathletes.
  • Lisa Herring, GED’93, is retiring after 30 years with Pittsburgh Public Schools, primarily as a K–5 ESL teacher.
  • Kathleen Murphey, C’87, G’91, GED’92, GR’06, is an associate professor of English and humanities at Community College of Philadelphia. Her collection Rainbow Tales, featuring feminist retellings of fairytales with LGBTQ+ characters—including “Beau and the Beast” and “The Frog and the Transgender Prince”— was published by JMS Books. Other stories have appeared in Gramarye and Pennsylvania Literary Journal.
  • Brian Niles, GED’96, founded TargetX, a leading higher education customer relationship management (CRM) company, after graduation and sold it in 2020. He now runs House Cup Coffee Roasters in Havertown, PA, which he started in 2018.
  • Jennifer Park, GED’98, co-published an article on her experiential counseling technique in the Journal of Creativity in Mental Health. She has co-authored textbook chapters on cross-cultural communication, single parenting, and professional orientation and ethics. She has served on the Executive Council of the Pennsylvania Counseling Association and is the CFA mentorship program chair for the Chapter Faculty Advisor Committee of Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society International.
  • Pamela Pope, GED’93, recently finished her 30th year teaching middle school at Heathwood Hall.
  • Scott Riotto, C’90, GED’91, has taught high school history in Morris County, NJ, for 34 years, including honors US history and AP US government. He also taught community college for 20 years and earned an MA in American history from Rutgers University-Newark.
  • William Smith III, GED’91, GR’94, is retired from his role as senior regulatory affairs manager at InSite Vision Inc. (now part of Sun Pharmaceuticals). He volunteers weekly as a literacy coach, substitute teaches, is part of a creative writing group, and is active in the LDS Church.

  • 2000s

  • Annette Campbell Anderson, GED’97, GR’06, deputy director of the Center for Safe and Healthy Schools at Johns Hopkins University, has been named a 2025 Provost’s Fellow for Public Engagement. She is one of 16 faculty members selected for the inaugural cohort, which will receive yearlong training to expand the public impact of their research.
  • Katherine Carella, GED’05, is editorial director at Scholastic for the Acorn and Branches book lines for K–3 readers. She is a former first-through-third-grade teacher, and her Penn experience continues to inform her work in children’s publishing.
  • Sandra Dean, W’59, GRD’06, founded SUM (See and Understand Math) to provide trained math tutors using a multisensory, sequential approach for struggling students in grades 1–3 in underserved schools.
  • Pamela Felder-Small, GRD’05, facilitated a panel at the fourth session of the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent titled “Sankofa: Reflections of Ten Years of Black Doctorates Matter and Our Work Towards Human Rights.”
  • Alex Joujan, GED’06, a mathematics teacher at the Pingry School, completed a five-year project in January 2025, publishing Advanced Algebra and Trigonometry, a six-volume, 930-page textbook series in a guided discovery format. Since 2020, he has released three textbooks in the Summit Math series to support collaborative, paced learning. Learn more at summitmath.com.
  • Esther Kim, GED’05, was recently promoted to associate professor of education at the University of Southern California.
  • Megan Langman, GED’06, was recently appointed supervisor of curriculum and instruction for the Cherry Hill School District in New Jersey, overseeing K–12 English language arts and world language after 16 years teaching and two years as an instructional coach.
  • Rebecca Markham, GED’05, lives in Allentown, PA, and teaches US history and global history at Northampton Area High School.
  • Tyrone McCombs, GR’03, celebrated his daughter’s Penn GSE graduation in May. He is entering his 35th year in higher education as a professor and executive director at Rowan University’s College of Education.
  • Natasha Murray, GRD’05, was recently elected as the chair of the board of directors for the National Network of State Teachers of the Year.
  • Joe Petrosino, GRD’07, writes that he “is making waves in Chester, PA, as he molds the minds of future superintendents and school principals, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to lead schools and districts to new heights!” He has mentored over 1,000 students who’ve gone on to careers in medicine, journalism, and the military. He’s currently writing a book on humor in education and is available for interim and advisory roles in special education, career and technical education, and educational leadership.
  • Anabel Sanford, GED’06, was recently elected to the boards of the Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association and the Minnesota Ground Water Association Foundation. A consultant at Emmons and Olivier Resources, she works on a Department of Energy-funded project siting solar energy systems to address nitrate contamination in rural drinking water.
  • Tacksoo Shin, GED’01, is a professor at Myongji University.
  • Dena Haritos Tsamitis, GRD’09, director of Carnegie Mellon University’s (CMU) Information Networking Institute, is celebrating 25 years of leadership in engineering education. She recently received CMU’s Robert E. Doherty Award and will be honored with a 2025 Gabby Award for her impact in expanding access to cybersecurity education.

Spring/Summer 2025 Alumni Bookshelf

Digital landscape orientation image of 12 various alumni books situated on a bookshelf display

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  • At Penn, all alumni have an affiliation—a series of letters and numbers following their name to indicate their degree, school, and year of graduation. A master’s degree from Penn GSE is represented as GED and an education doctorate as GRD. A philosophy doctorate from any school at Penn is represented as GR. An undergraduate degree offered by the School of Education until 1961 is represented as ED. The two numbers following the letters represent the year in which that degree was completed.
    book icon Denotes alumni authors whose latest book is featured on the alumni bookshelf.

  • 2010s

  • Alejandra Abusada, GED’19, is director of development at the largest community college in the US—Miami Dade College—where she secures major gifts to fund life-changing scholarships and help close educational equity gaps.
  • Paul Barker, GRD’11, is retired and volunteers as a school docent at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.
  • Daniel Bergman, GED’13, is celebrating five years as senior director of Pratt Institute’s Center for Art, Design, and Community Engagement, K–12, which serves over 2,000 New York City youth annually with transformative art and design education.
  • Stephen Bournes, GRD’17, was appointed superintendent of the School City of East Chicago in Indiana last July.
  • Carlo Cinaglia, GED’16, is completing his dissertation in second language studies at Michigan State University and will join Florida State University’s School of Teacher Education in August 2025 as assistant professor of second language education.
  • Rita DiBenedetto, GED’19, teaches high school English language arts (ELA) and serves as assistant principal of student affairs at Archbishop Ryan High School in Philadelphia. Previously ELA Department Chair, she helped relaunch the school’s digital newspaper and now oversees student clubs and activities.
  • Jessie Rui Du, GED’11, is an assistant professor of marketing at University of North Carolina Greensboro. She earned her PhD in business administration from Baruch College (CUNY) in 2023. She and her husband, Qiwei Shi, GEN’10, GR’12, married at Houston Hall in 2012.
  • Eddie Gallagher III, GRD’17, is wrapping up a five-month term as co-interim head of school at Wilmington Friends, stepping in to support while the head of school was on sabbatical.
  • Irene Greaves, GED’15, released a TEDx talk on Lovescaping, a philosophy and practice that she describes as “my life’s work, which I first conceptualized as a student at Penn in 2015.” Centered on embodying love as an action through 15 essential pillars, her work promotes connection and humanity. Watch at lovescaping.org.
  • Mark Harris, GED’15, earned his MBA from Johns Hopkins University in 2024 and now leads insights for Quaker’s ready-to-eat cereal and granola brands at PepsiCo.
  • April Herring, GRD’13, recently gave a TEDx talk, opened a photography exhibit, and is now offering life coaching and somatic healing alongside her work as an administrator at Carroll Community College.
  • Stephan Heuer, GED’13, is celebrating 10 years at Frankford Friends School, where he now serves as assistant head of school for teaching and learning. He was previously director of student life and a third grade teacher at the school and credits Penn’s Teaching, Learning, and Leadership program and faculty mentors for shaping his leadership in problem-based learning. He writes: “I gained valuable insights into teaching practices and leadership skills that I use every day. I am especially grateful to professors Yasmin Kafai, Richard Ingersoll, and James Lytle for their support and guidance, which prepared me well for this role.”
  • Melanie Hoffmann, GED’18, is executive director of development and alumni relations at St. Albans School. She recently enjoyed a mini-reunion with fellow Penn GSE DC-area classmates Ryann Berry, GED’18, Ryann Fapohunda, GED’18, and Jeremy Hark, GED’18.
  • Brittany Jemielita, GED’15, earned a doctorate in adult education and a post-master’s in educational leadership. She co-founded Insights, LLC, an education technology company developing AI-powered tools for schools, and lives in Philadelphia with her husband and their two children.
  • Michael Kokozos, GR’17, LPS’23, recently released Teaching Storytelling in Classrooms and Communities, a book offering educators practical strategies to use storytelling as a tool for student empowerment, empathy, and social change.
  • Robert LeBlanc, GR’16, associate professor at the University of Lethbridge, is the winner of the 2024 Alberta Teachers’ Association Educational Research Award, given annually to an Alberta academic who conducts high-quality research on classroom teaching and learning.
  • Xinyi Liang, GED’18, has spent six years supporting student life as assistant to the associate vice president (student affairs), overseeing seven residential colleges at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen. She will soon transition to a new role as assistant to the associate vice president (academic).
  • Diane Luckman, GED’11, returned to the classroom to teach a fourth/fifth grade vertical class at the Philadelphia School—where her daughter also teaches. She writes: “What an honor to see my daughter in action!”
  • Amy Hecht Macchio, GED’03, GRD’12, co-edited The Next Act: Realigning Your Mindset, Purpose, and Career (NASPA, 2024), a guide for student affairs professionals navigating career transitions and aligning purpose with evolving roles in higher education.
  • Rina Madhani, GED’19, was recently named to Crain’s 40 Under 40 list in honor of her work founding Start Lighthouse.
  • Angel Mills, GED’16, was selected for the Change Collective’s Spring 2025 Cohort, representing Detroit in the national leadership network. As a part of the cohort, she will design a civic action plan tailored to the needs of her community and collaborate with changemakers to strengthen civic life and community connection.
  • Samantha Neugebauer, GED’11, a lecturer at NYU in Washington, DC, was selected as a 2025 Summer Writing Fellow at Hawthornden Castle in Scotland, where she plans to finish her novel.
  • Payal Patel, GED’14, is the founder of Learning In Stillness, a personalized tutoring business. She recently published a book chapter on meditation in math education in Disrupting Secondary STEM Education (Routledge Taylor and Francis Group). This publication is an extension of the teacher research she began for her Penn GSE master’s thesis.
  • Jessica Pavelka, GED’14, is pursuing a PhD in educational psychology at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, specializing in cognitive behavioral therapy. Her dissertation explores the use of biofeedback in treating anxiety disorders.
  • Adam Payne, GRD’18, was selected as the inaugural faculty fellow for Wentworth Institute of Technology’s Honors Program for 2024–2025. He will help build the program from the ground up and continue in the role in the next academic year.
  • Kristi Pintar, GRD’12, was elected to a three-year term on the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) Accreditation Council, the only Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)-recognized body accrediting graduate programs in healthcare management.
  • Hang Qin, GED’18, is an edtech entrepreneur and youth advocate advancing equity through Banbuniuniu, an AI-powered self-learning platform for elementary math that’s based on Singapore’s concrete-pictorial-abstract (CPA) pedagogy and is adapted for China’s curriculum. Accessible by iOS, Android, PC, and WeChat, the platform has provided free access to many low-income families from underserved communities. Despite sector-wide policy changes, Banbuniuniu remains officially approved by China’s Ministry of Education to continue operations.
  • Callista Regis, GED’17, completed her PhD in education at the University of Cambridge in the UK.
  • Jonathan Roberts, GED’13, leads the middle school at Colegio Bolívar in Cali, Colombia, where he is focused on building a strong, inclusive school culture and supporting students and teachers in their growth. He recently presented on equity-minded data at the Bolívar Forum and spoke at the AMISA Educators’ Conference in Panama. He’s now preparing for his next global leadership role.
  • Stephen Sacchetti, GED’15, recently published his second puzzle book, More Puzzler’s Puzzlers, and continues exploring how puzzles can foster collaboration and persistence in classrooms.
  • Julia Snowfrock, GED’18, has been appointed director of teaching and learning at Spartanburg Day School.
  • John Spencer, GRD’19, was promoted to deputy chief of school climate and culture for the School District of Philadelphia.
  • Daphne Valcin, GED’10, recently renewed her Master Certified Coach (MCC) designation—held by just 4 percent of International Coaching Federation (ICF)-certified coaches globally. She has delivered nearly 4,000 hours of coaching and leadership development to over 400 individuals and 200 organizations across four countries.
  • Xinyan Zheng, GED’09, recently published Dachen Island: The Path to Common Prosperity through Reclamation, a picture book showcasing the island’s 60-year journey toward sustainable development. Zheng highlights ecological revitalization, wind-energy initiatives, and the community’s pursuit of shared prosperity. The book captures landmarks like the Reclamation Monument and the resilience of local fisheries, offering readers an inspiring lens into balancing modernization with cultural heritage.

  • 2020s

  • Gregory Blake, W’76, GED’22, is nearing completion of his licensed professional counselor (LPC) hours and currently sees 30 clients, ranging in age from 16 to 77. He works at a growing practice and values being part of a collegial, experienced team.
  • Tara Bryant-Gray, GED’20, LPS’23, is joining the next cohort of Moravian University’s EdD program in transformational leadership, aiming to advance her work in schools and her therapy practice through a changemaker lens.
  • Alan Chen, GRD’22, has been appointed assistant dean of global programs at the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB), where he leads English-language executive education. CKGSB is China’s first privately funded, research-driven business school.
  • Stacy Delapenha, GED’22, WG’22, is vice president of apprenticeship and employer engagement at Strada Education Foundation and is committed to building equitable processes to develop talent from the classroom to the boardroom.
  • Vanna Hing, GED’21, is a program coordinator at Penn Neurology, supporting residents’ and medical students’ educational and academic credentials during training. She received Penn’s 2022 Models of Excellence – Individual Award, and recently relocated to Marlton, NJ. She writes: “I often reflect on my time at Penn GSE, and I’m incredibly grateful for the experiences and connections, especially within Cohort 7. It truly helped shape my career path.”
  • John Ilagan, GED’24, is now medical director of both the postpartum and antepartum units at Sloane Hospital for Women, Columbia University Irving Medical Center. He also directs sub-internships and OB/GYN electives for fourth-year medical students, while continuing his work in interprofessional education and clinical training.
  • Gemelle John, GED’24, is executive director Horizons Tower Hill, the first school in Delaware serving as a Horizons affiliate. Horizons is a tuition-free national network of community-centered programs that support youth in building social-emotional and academic skills through experiential, project-based learning opportunities, confidence building activities, and whole-child teaching practices.
  • Kerry Jones, GRD’23,, joined the University of Bridgeport in fall 2024 as assistant professor of educational leadership. She teaches in the Sixth Year Advanced Studies Program, preparing future school and district leaders, after retiring from a 31-year career in Connecticut public schools.
  • Beth Kaplan, GED’20, GRD’21, shares her expertise on belonging in the workplace—the subject of her Penn GSE dissertation—in her new book, Braving the Workplace: Belonging at the Breaking Point (Mango).
  • Keith Keating, GRD’22, will release his second book, Hidden Value: How to Reveal the Impact of Organizational Learning, in June. A follow-up to his award-winning debut, it offers strategies and insights to help learning leaders demonstrate the value of their work.
  • Ryan Kimmet, GRD’21, is returning to his alma mater, the Harley School in Rochester, NY, 30 years after graduating, as the next head of school.
  • Rob Kuchar, GED’21, is joining the history department at Princeton Day School after 10 years teaching history and economics at Rutgers Prep, where he built a 12-terminal Bloomberg Lab to teach finance and economics.
  • Gulnur Kukenova, GED’20, serves as the assistant director of grants at Harcum College, where she helps secure funding for student support and institutional initiatives. Beyond her work in grant writing, she is actively involved in organizing impactful events, including a scholarship recipients meeting and a golf outing fundraiser. Her commitment to student success extends to supporting Harcum’s Collegiate Recovery Program, funded by the Independence Blue Cross Foundation, which enhances drug and alcohol education on campus.
  • Jesse Mazur, GRD’21, serves as executive director of alternative programs, student accountability, and special projects for Roanoke City Public Schools. He leads key initiatives supporting students in alternative settings and aligns his work with the district’s “Destination 2030” strategic goals.
  • Melissa Molina, GED’24, completed her first year as principal at Esperanza, leading initiatives to boost engagement, academic support, and family partnerships. She expanded the ninth-grade academy and launched career-focused experiences. A recent Surge Fellow, she’ll join DiverseForce on Boards this fall to further her advocacy for educational equity.
  • Sydney Osifeso, GED’20, was recently appointed interim associate dean of administration and operations in residential education at Stanford University, where she oversees strategy, communications, finance, and HR to support integrated student life and learning.
  • Brooklyn Raney, GED’23, GRD’24, has published Successful Middle School: Adult Advocates, based on her Penn research. Part of the Association of Middle Level Educators series, the book offers strategies and stories on how adults can support students’ academic and personal growth through meaningful advocacy.
  • Sarah Sidoti, GED’20, earned her master’s of social service from Bryn Mawr College in May 2025 and is now beginning her career as a psychotherapist.
  • Jordan Tegtmeyer, GED’08, GRD’21, was promoted to senior associate dean for finance and administration in Princeton University’s Office of the Dean of the Faculty in February.
  • Anita Ntem Thomas, GED’22, was recently appointed chief of staff at Democracy Prep Public Schools, where she has grown from student to senior leader. She has led strategic initiatives while championing equity and student success. She also serves on Bryn Mawr College’s Board of Trustees and is a finalist for the Cambiar Catalyst Fellowship.
  • Sierra Vogel, GED’22, writes: “Penn shaped my abilities as not only an educator but a leader. UTAP’s [Urban Teaching Apprenticeship Program] intensity challenged me to think critically, create professional and personal boundaries, and lead by example. In less than one year, I received a leadership role at my company and believe my graduate program experience prepared me for that. Now, I work in a primary school teaching students social-emotional skills and support their behavioral and emotional health needs. I adore my job and know that Penn laid my foundation to get me where I am today.”
  • Hannah Yoon, GED’22, has spent the past three years in Chicago Public Schools as a high school English teacher. She also directs three after-school theater productions and organizes a field trip to London for her drama students.
  • Submissions have been edited due to space constraints and magazine style guidelines.

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