Scholars at Michigan State University’s College of Education are building on a long-standing tradition of impact by reshaping education, health and broadening access at home and abroad.
Discover how their recent work is redefining the field.
Advancing literacy and equity
University Distinguished Professor Patricia Edwards is a trailblazer. Approaching 35 years at the College of Education, her work focuses on literacy development for families of color, with an emphasis on parents' roles in their children's learning. With over $100 million in research funding and 12 books to her name, she still finds her role preparing future Spartan educators the most rewarding.
“Watching future educators grow, embrace diversity and commit to fostering equitable learning environments fills me with hope for the future,” she said.
Edwards was the first African American president of the National Reading Conference (later named the Literacy Research Association) in 2006 and served as the International Reading Association president in 2010. She was inducted into the Reading Hall of Fame in 2012. Earlier this year, she was named an American Educational Research Association Fellow, a distinguished honor in the field.
Since arriving at the College of Education in 2023, Assistant Professor Noreen Naseem Rodríguez has swiftly reaffirmed her reputation as a force for change. The same year, she published “Teaching Asian America in Elementary Classrooms” (Routledge). It is the first book of its kind aimed at elementary educators with a transdisciplinary focus.
“My work is to try to give educators the tools they need to do their jobs better by giving them manageable options to work with,” she said.
In July 2024, Naseem Rodríguez received a $3.5 million Transformative Research Grant from the Spencer Foundation to fund a large-scale study on community-driven efforts to teach Asian American studies in K-12 classrooms. It is the first grant of its kind from the Spencer Foundation. Also in 2024, Naseem Rodríguez was honored with the Early Career Award from the Association for Asian American Studies and the Innovations in Research on Equity and Social Justice in Teaching and Teacher Education Award from AERA.
Researching the mind and body
Assistant Professor Matthew Harkey’s research on monitoring early signs of arthritis after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is changing how we think about long-term recovery strategies and improving patient outcomes.
In January 2024, his research published in the Journal of Athletic Training revealed that nearly one-in-four patients experience persistent early osteoarthritis symptoms 6 to 12 months following ACL reconstruction, highlighting the pressing need for early intervention to maintain long-term joint health. Another study co-authored by Harkey and published in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise found that regular bicycling reduces the risk of knee pain and osteoarthritis by 21%.
“Advancements in patient monitoring, including ultrasound imaging and patient-reported outcomes, are transforming ACL reconstruction recovery,” said Harkey. “By detecting early signs of arthritis, we can identify high-risk patients and intervene sooner, reducing chronic issues, accelerating recovery and ultimately improving long-term joint health and quality of life.”
World-renowned concussion researcher and Professor Tracey Covassin received a significant honor in June 2024 when she was inducted into the Michigan Athletic Trainers’ Society Hall of Fame. Her work, which has more than 13,000 citations, includes over 150 manuscripts and several book chapters in journals and publications related to sports medicine, neurology and psychology. In 2022, she was named the Gwendolyn Norrell Professor in Youth Sport.
So, what’s next for Covassin? “I would like to investigate the impact of long-term psychological effects among adolescents and collegiate students who have experienced concussions and test targeted interventions to mitigate these impacts effectively,” she said. “I plan to examine the mental health challenges faced by retired NCAA athletes, including the increased risks of depression, anxiety and identity loss, to understand how the transition from a high-performance career to retirement influences their psychological well-being over time.”
The program director of the college’s Master’s in Athletic Training, she is also one of the first researchers to demonstrate differences in sports-related concussion rates between male and female collegiate athletes. Her research on females being at greater risk for concussions than males informed the 2018 American Medical Society for Sports Medicine’s position statement on concussion in sport.
Improving systems and outcomes
Lappan-Phillips Professor of Computing Education Aman Yadav is at the forefront of efforts to enhance computer science education and promote equity in K-12 schools. Yadav’s research focuses on broadening participation in computer science by developing teacher competencies to integrate computing into core subjects and delivering high-quality instruction in high school computer science courses.
Earlier this year, Yadav was awarded a National Science Foundation grant to pilot and assess a curriculum with undergraduate students in the Teacher Preparation Program, exploring the role of generative artificial intelligence in education. While at Michigan State University, Yadav has secured over $14 million in funding for evidence-based research from prominent organizations, including Apple and the Robinhood Foundation.
“Through my research, I hope to inspire lasting changes in how computer science is integrated into K-12 education, ensuring that it's accessible and equitable for all students,” said Yadav, also the associate director of computing education within the CREATE for STEM Institute. “By equipping teachers with the skills and knowledge to incorporate computing into core subjects, we can broaden participation in computer science and empower a more diverse generation of learners. Additionally, as emerging technologies — like generative AI — become more prevalent in education, I hope my work will help educators and students critically engage with these tools, understanding both their potential and the challenges they present.”
Associate Professor Courtenay Barrett is changing how educational research moves from theory to practice, to drive meaningful change in schools and student outcomes. Specifically, she uses data from school-based studies to analyze outcomes for all students, especially students with learning disabilities.
As a Fulbright Scholar in 2023, she investigated how Ireland's world-renowned K-12 schools implement research, focusing on how cultural values shape decision-making on educational programs.
“I hope my research will inspire society to make decisions that are in the best interest of children, adolescents and schools,” said Barrett. “I believe that if we sincerely reflect on data and research evidence, we can understand what is working and not working. By doing so, we will be able to improve long-term outcomes for all of our students.”
Changing education through research-driven reform
“Colleagues around the world look to [Kristen Renn] for guidance,” said Department of Educational Administration Chairperson Sheneka Williams of Professor Kristen Renn. Renn’s groundbreaking research focuses on college students’ educational experiences and identities, with an emphasis on diversity and inclusion in higher education. She has been with the college over 20 years and, in May 2024, received the MSU William J. Beal Outstanding Faculty Award.
Among her many accomplishments, Renn’s landmark research on female-only higher education institutions examined the value of 13 colleges and universities across 10 countries, resulting in a book and numerous articles from her findings. In 2023, Renn organized a symposium focused on LGBTQIA2S+ and higher education research, attracting over 210 participants.
“I want to inform postsecondary sectors in the U.S. and around the world so they can and will transform to create environments for more people to learn, thrive and meet their goals,” said Renn. “Ultimately, postsecondary and adult education should lead to a more just, equitable and sustainable future, and I want my work to be some small part of that change.”
Assistant Professors Tasminda Dhaliwal and Jerome Graham examine policy implications, educational equity and the social structures that shape students' academic and social development.
In 2024, Dhaliwal and Graham examined the disproportionate use of corporal punishment in U.S. schools, revealing that Black, Latinx, Native American and disabled students were significantly more likely to be physically disciplined compared to their white and non-disabled peers, respectively.
The pair also co-led a research-practice partnership aimed at implementing restorative practices in Michigan K-12 schools, focusing on alternatives to punitive discipline such as community building and conflict resolution.
“My work seeks to understand why educational inequality has become a durable feature of U.S. schools and what can be done about it,” said Dhaliwal, who joined MSU in 2021. “I hope my research contributes to the knowledge needed to make educational institutions places where every student can reach their full potential regardless of background.” She is also an affiliated researcher with the college’s Education Policy Innovative Collaborative, a research center dedicated to advancing evidence-based policy solutions.
Graham also joined MSU in 2021 and draws on his educational background in Georgia to shape his research. His work has led to numerous publications on critical topics, including racial disparities in school climate, teacher quality and the political dynamics surrounding school improvement efforts in Georgia.
“I hope this research will lead to a deeper understanding among educational stakeholders of the harm caused by exclusionary discipline, particularly how Black and Brown students disproportionately bear that harm,” he said. “I also hope that its lasting impact will provide educators with compelling evidence of the promise of a restorative approach to discipline, encouraging them to move toward it.”
