Educational Foundations, Policy and Practice

The National Academy of Education (NAEd) announced recently two University of Colorado Boulder education scholars, doctoral candidate Danielle Aguilar and alumnus Christopher Saldaña, have been selected for two of the nation’s

Before starting his PhD at CU Boulder, Kyle Kopsick taught social studies at a high school in Quito, Ecuador for roughly five years. This experience greatly impacted his life and guided him to further his learning by joining the doctoral program in educational foundations, policy and practice. Kopsick has received the CU Boulder School of Education’s 2026 Outstanding Dissertation award.

Victoria “Tori” Martin came to Colorado with a love of mountains and deep commitments to educational equity shaped by years of study, teaching and experiences in Washington, D.C. and abroad.As an undergraduate at Villanova

Alexis “Lex” Hunter’s advisors put it simply: the field needs more scholars like her. “Lex is positioning herself to be both a leading theorist and practitioner of community-engaged research,” said her advisors, who nominated her for the School of Education’s Outstanding Graduate in Community Engagement Award.

How Liz Meyer’s Research and Teaching Paves the Way for LGBTQ+ Affirming Teachers, Researchers and Change-Makers

Two doctoral candidates, Jackquelin “Jackie” Bristol and Alexis “Lex” Hunter, have been selected for National Academy of Education/Spencer Dissertation Fellowships, one of the most prestigious honors for emerging education scholars. Bristol explores how teachers' access to affordable housing intersects with race, space and public education. Hunter investigates how youth of color in community organizing spaces view healing as intimately connected to social justice.

As an accomplished teacher, emerging educational historian and rigorous scholar, PhD graduate Derek LeFebre demonstrates exemplary passion and commitment to his work. A Colorado native raised in Aurora, Colorado, LeFebre

Yazmine Lynette Patiño is passionate about supporting first-generation college students as one herself.  “I’m the first in my family to receive a bachelor's and now a master's degree, both of which I could not have

Growing up, Kendall Wulbrun always felt seen and safe to be herself in the classroom. Now she is interested in devoting her career in higher education and education policy to ensuring all students have the same

Alex Boeding has been a thoughtful and engaged student in all of his School of Education master’s classes while navigating a busy life as a full-time teacher during the COVID-19 pandemic.Alex consistently demonstrates a strong