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Undergraduate and graduate Celebration of Excellence award recipients in CEHD’s Department of Human Development and Family Sciences.

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.