Celebration of Excellence 2025

The Department of Human Development and Family Sciences and School of Education celebrate student, faculty and staff accomplishments with annual award ceremonies
In May, University of Delaware’s Department of Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS) and School of Education (SOE), housed in the College of Education and Human Development, recognized undergraduate and graduate students for their academic excellence, research, leadership and outstanding potential as professionals in the fields of education and human services. The SOE also recognized distinguished faculty, staff and partner teachers for their research and service.
HDFS hosted its annual ceremony and reception on May 9, 2025 at the FinTech Innovation Hub on UD’s STAR campus. With faculty, staff, students and families present, the department celebrated 25 award recipients.
“Recognizing our students’ accomplishments is one of the highlights of our year as faculty and staff,” said Jason Hustedt, professor and chair of HDFS. “Congratulations to all of our awardees on their exceptional work!”
The SOE hosted its annual ceremony and reception on May 15, 2025 at the Trabant Theater on UD’s Newark campus. The school celebrated 40 award recipients with faculty, staff, students and families in attendance.
“A big congratulations to this year’s SOE award winners for their outstanding achievements and dedication to academic excellence,” said Steve Amendum, professor and director of the SOE. “We’re also deeply grateful to our generous donors, whose continued support makes it possible to recognize and support our students.”
Several of the HDFS and SOE awards presented were established by donors, passionate about supporting the next generation of leaders in education and human development.

Stephanie Kuntz, doctoral student in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS), accepts an award from Myae Han, professor in HDFS.
Human Development and Family Sciences
Undergraduate Award Recipients
Alice P. Eyman Professional Development Award
Sophie Ciolko
Amy Rextrew Rising Junior Award
Olivia Jin
Amy Rextrew Rising Senior Award
Amy Gordon
Catherine Bieber Scholarship for Academic Achievements and Leadership in Human Development and Family Sciences
Nicoletta Goldberg
Frances Hill
Delaware Association for the Education of Young Children Student Leadership Award
Jennifer Kruszewski
Irma Ayers Scholar Award
Abigail Cohen
Jane I. Davidson Laboratory Preschool Award
Sophie Ciolko
Lila C. Murphy Award for Women’s Equity and Leadership
Award of Excellence: Caitlin Greeff and Maggie Johnson
Award of Distinction: Olivia Jin, Felicia Trestin and Camryn Lewis
Lila C. Murphy Community and Family Services Scholarship
Award of Excellence: Leah Rizzo
Award of Distinction: Leslie J. Orellana-Villicana
Award of Merit: Victoria Visconti
Outstanding Student Teachers Awards
Gabriela Sanchez
Hailey Stephensen
Emma Smyth
Robin J. Palkovitz HDFS Internship Award
Erin Fitzgerald
Lauren Hartel
Susan McLaughlin Scholarship
Logan Szelestei
Graduate Award Recipients
Barbara Halliday Settles Family Futures Student Support Fund in Family Sciences
Elizabeth Wroten
Strattner-Gregory Child Advocacy Award
Stephanie Kuntz and Ekaterina Novikova
School of Education
Undergraduate Award Recipients
Associate in Arts in Elementary Teacher Education Academic Distinction Award
Hannah Segerstrom
Associate in Arts in Elementary Teacher Education Distinguished Student Award
Karli Schrader
Associate in Arts in Elementary Teacher Education Professional Development Award
Ava Shrader
Baker Memorial Award
Shannon Pettit
Carol Vukelich Teacher Education Enrichment Award
Sulayma Matamoros
Delaware Association of School Administrators Award
Dat Nguyen
Elementary Teacher Education Outstanding Teacher Candidate Award
Abigail Caron
Alexis Crist
Breonna Holder
Kate Lilly
Ashley Middleton
Georgia Pierson
Taylor Porcelli
Haleigh Poudrier
Ashley Tedesco
Jemma Thorne
Sophia Vuolde
Elementary Teacher Education Outstanding Teacher Resident Award
Valentina Bucksner
Excellence in Academic Achievement Sophomore Award
Laura Fenush
Lily O’Daly
Excellence in Academic Achievement Junior Award
Juliana Edwards
Claire Merchant
Excellence in Academic Achievement Senior Award
Madison Billips
Kaitlyn Hand
Kelsey Hinderliter
Kate Lilly
Audrey Price
Ashley Tedesco
Mathematics Education Award
Brooke Jackson
VanCamp/Remage Teacher Education Merit Award
Haleigh Poudrier
Graduate Award Recipients
Frank B. Murray Award
Sarah Clerjuste
Amanda Delgado
Jon Kittle
Mathematics Education Award
Allison Gantt
Pearl and Oscar Bregman Award
Emily Tharby
Richard L. Venezky Award
Ariel Chavers
Robert W. Stegner Award
Christy Metzger
Victor Mankin Award
Emma Boyd
Lauren Dombrowski
Faculty and Staff Award Recipients
Distinguished Faculty Award
Henry May
Outstanding Clinical Educator Award
Athena Fullerton
Natasha Gilchrist
Katherine Logue
Rachel Narcho
Outstanding Cooperating Teacher Award
Patty King
Second Mile Award
Elizabeth Farley-Ripple
Header photo caption: Undergraduate and graduate Celebration of Excellence award recipients in CEHD’s Department of Human Development and Family Sciences.
Article by Jessica Henderson. Photos by Shelly Silva.