During the 2024–25 academic year, institutions of higher education all across our nation have been navigating stormy seas. Here in the San Diego State University College of Education, we've weathered budget cutbacks at the state level and a radically changing landscape for federal funding.
Facing these headwinds, I am pleased to report that our College has not deviated from our mission to make a positive diference for children, families, and communities. I am flled with gratitude for the students, faculty, staf, alumni, and philanthropic supporters whose dedication serves as our North Star.
Because of you, we recently received our highest-ever national ranking, reaching No. 45 in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Education Schools rankings.
Our dedicated donors have done much to keep a strong gust at our back. Looking ahead, I am eager to develop a contingency fund that can support our students when vital training grants are terminated
For now, I thank you for staying steadfast in support of our unwavering course.
Y.Barry Chung, Ph.D. Dean College of Education
Propelling the SDSU Community Forward
Alba Gonzalez Thompson Endowment for Center for Research in Mathematics and Science Education
The Alba Gonzalez Thompson Endowment provides crucial support to SDSU’s Center for Research in Mathematics and Science Education (CRMSE), a collaboration between the Colleges of Education and Sciences. CRMSE is a national leader in advancing STEM education through research and professional development. This endowed fund strengthens CRMSE’s mission by supporting faculty, staf, and graduate students.
CRMSE’s work spans all areas of STEM education, investigating how students learn topics ranging from fractions to chemistry. Insights gained are translated into research-informed teaching strategies and professional development for educators. By fueling research, collaboration, and innovation, this endowment enhances CRMSE’s impact on STEM education—locally, nationally, and globally.
Lawrence and Opal Maletta Special Education Teachers Endowed Scholarship
The Lawrence and Opal Maletta Special Education Teachers Endowed Scholarship provides meaningful fnancial support to students in the Department of Special Education within SDSU’s College of Education. Open to both master’s and credential-level students, the scholarship helps reduce fnancial barriers for those preparing to serve students with diverse learning needs. Recipients are not required to be enrolled full-time, making the scholarship accessible to those balancing academics with work or other commitments.
By supporting future special education professionals, this endowed fund contributes to the preparation of compassionate, qualifed educators dedicated to inclusive and efective teaching. Its impact will be felt in classrooms and communities for generations to come.
Plough Family Endowed Scholarship
The Plough Family Endowed Scholarship in the College of Education supports students pursuing administrative credentials, master’s degrees, or doctorates within the Department of Educational Leadership. These programs are designed to prepare educators for leadership roles in schools and districts, with a focus on transformational leadership, equity, and student success.
Students in the program receive hands-on, practical preparation from faculty who are deeply engaged in educational research and real-world leadership. Graduates often become principals, district administrators, instructional coaches, or policy advocates—leaders committed to making meaningful changes in their communities.
Thriving in the Aztec Experience
Shaye Phung, Class of 2025
Class Level: Undergraduate Student
College: College of Education
Major: Liberal Studies
Shaye Phung started her San Diego State University journey as an aspiring teacher. She hopes to become an education policy change agent and is headed to graduate school at Harvard—one of the world’s most prestigious universities.
Phung, a Temecula native who double minored in leadership and cultural profciency, was named one of 10 recipients of the 2025 Quest for the Best award, an honor bestowed upon high-achieving SDSU students for outstanding academic performance, community service, and leadership development.
This fall, she will move across the country to begin her master’s degree in education policy and analysis at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Phung said the sum of her SDSU experience is much more than the classes she’s attended and the activities in which she participated.
“I have defnitely come to appreciate the role of education, the experience of education, and the impact it has on people,” Phung said. “So much happened over four years, and it shaped my mentality so quickly. I wouldn’t have expected to learn as much as I have or to connect with as many people as I have; it has defnitely given me a lifelong network."
I have defnitely come to appreciate the role of education, the experience of education, and the impact it has on people. — Shaye
Brenda Gonzalez, Class of 2025
Class Level: Graduate Student
College: College of Education
Major: Preliminary Education Specialist Credential in Extensive Support Needs Special Education
As a candidate in San Diego State University’s extensive support needs special education teaching credential program this spring, Brenda Gonzalez was interning in a classroom in her home community of San Ysidro, within the same school district where her 8-year-old son, Gio, is a student.
"It kind of works for the best,” Gonzalez said. “I'm not missing out on anything with him, and I'm helping other kids in the community who are like him.”
Gio was born with FOXG1 syndrome, a rare genetic disorder afecting development and neurological function. He uses a wheelchair and communicates through facial expressions and nonverbal vocalizations.
A 2024 graduate of SDSU with a major in child development, Gonzalez is the frst woman in her family to earn a college degree. As she prepares to enter the teaching profession, supporting families like hers is a big part of what drives her. But the biggest motivation? Look no further than her beloved Gio.
“I'm here because of him,” Gonzalez said. “They always told me that he wasn't going to crawl. He wasn't gonna do anything, you know. But I worked so hard to get him anything he needed. Now I feel like I can do that with other kids in the community as well.”
Pictured above: The Gonzalez family at SDSU for Commencement 2024. Clockwise from center: Nicholas, Gio, Ximena, Brenda, Saul and Jose.
“Gonzalez is the frst woman in her family to earn a college degree. As she prepares to enter the teaching profession, supporting families like hers is a big part of what drives her.
Celebrating Shared Success
Recent Rankings
SDSU College of Education moved up one spot to No. 45 in the nation on U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 list of Best Graduate Education Programs.
Ranked No. 6 among the Best Colleges for Education in California by Niche.
Nationally, the College is ranked No. 10 in the Western U.S. and No. 35 among public universities.
SDSU’s Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling now ranks No. 7 in the Best Rehabilitation Counseling Programs category.
SDSU placed No. 3 in Online Master’s in Education Programs.
Statistics of Interest
3,398 Students enrolled in the College of Education (SDSU Analytic Studies & Institutional Research (ASIR))
2024–2025 Student Enrollment (SDSU ASIR):
Bachelor’s: 37.7% (1,281 students)
Minor: 23.1% (785 students)
Master’s: 19% (644 students)
Credential: 12.3% (419 students)
Doctoral: 5.5% (186 students)
Ed.S.: 1.6% (56 students)
Advanced Certifcate: 0.8% (27 students)
Recent Highlights
Two San Diego State University alumni honored as 2025–26 San Diego County Teachers of the Year: Allison Schmitt (’14) and Kevin T. White (’06, ’07, ’17).
Cindy López (’15, bilingual credential) was seated as a new member of the Governing Board of the National School District in National City, California.
Dean Y. Barry Chung and the entire College of Education were named the inaugural recipients of its College Collaboration Champion Award.
SDSU College of Education 2025 Yearbook
Rankings
SDSU College of Education ranks No. 45 nationally, No. 6 in California, No. 10 in the Western U.S., with top programs in Rehabilitation Counseling (#7) and Online Education (#3).
Transforming Lives
Achievements:
Brittany L. Marshall, Ph.D.
Title: Assistant Professor, Mathematics Education, School of Teacher Education
College: Education
For Dr. Brittany L. Marshall, assistant professor of mathematics education in SDSU’s School of Teacher Education, mathematics is far more than numbers and formulas—it is a tool for equity, empowerment, and transformation.
In just her second semester, Marshall is already making waves by challenging traditional "math logics" that promote exclusion and reinforce systemic biases, especially against students from underrepresented communities.
“Math is a human activity,” she says. “It should be done in community—not as a competition.”
In January 2025, Marshall was accepted into the highly competitive Service Teaching and Research (STaR) Program, hosted by the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (AMTE). The program supports early-career faculty through national mentorship and collaboration. Marshall looks forward to building connections with colleagues who share her mission of reshaping math education.
Her journey to academia was nontraditional. Raised in a segregated Black neighborhood in Chicago, she overcame early academic setbacks and skepticism from college faculty who doubted her math abilities. After a career in architecture, she became a teacher and rediscovered her passion for math—and, more importantly, for helping students reclaim their confdence in it.
At SDSU, Marshall’s research explores how to build positive math identities in students from intentionally underserved communities. She challenges the harmful myth that math ability is innate, instead teaching her pre-service educators that belief in students’ potential is the foundation of impactful teaching.
“Students may not remember what you taught them," shared Marshall. "They’ll remember how you made them feel. If you truly believe in your students, that changes everything.”
Achievements:
Marissa Vasquez, Ed.D.
Title: Associate Professor & Associate Director, Community College Equity Assessment Lab (CCEAL)
College: Education
Dr. Marissa Vasquez, associate professor and chair-elect of the Department of Administration, Rehabilitation, and Postsecondary Education (ARPE), was named the 2024 recipient of SDSU’s Faculty Diversity Excellence Award—a campus-wide honor bestowed annually by the Division of Student Afairs and Campus Diversity to one faculty member who exemplifes the university’s mission and values.
Diversity and equity are central to Vasquez’s scholarship and service. As associate director of the Community College Equity Assessment Lab (CCEAL), she works to improve outcomes for historically underrepresented students in higher education. In Fall 2024, she will begin her term as chair of the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE), further cementing her national leadership in equity work.
Much of Vasquez’s impact, however, is deeply personal. Through her mentorship of frst-generation students and students of color in her research lab and graduate programs, she intentionally demystifes the hidden curriculum of academia. “I told myself I wanted to be someone students found approachable and down-to-earth,” she said. “I invite students to collaborate on research, present at conferences, and publish—so they not only see themselves refected in scholarship but believe they belong in it.”
Vasquez was nominated by Danielle Huddlestun, a doctoral student and researcher at CCEAL, who compiled heartfelt testimonials from current and former students, colleagues, and community partners. “Reading those letters was incredibly validating,” Vasquez said. “It reminded me that the small, everyday acts of mentorship and inclusion truly matter.”
Department of Special Education
Education and Educational Leadership
At San Diego State University’s Department of Special Education, we are dedicated to addressing California’s urgent shortage of qualifed special education professionals. With demand far outpacing supply, our mission is more vital than ever. Two of three new special education teachers in the state begin their careers without completing a preparation program—highlighting the essential role we play in preparing diverse, well-trained educators to support students with disabilities across all age groups.
Our department proudly served 100 students in Fall 2024—a testament to the growing need for high-quality special education training. Our team includes nine tenured/tenure-track faculty with deep expertise in the feld. We ofer credential and degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in early childhood special education, mild-moderate support needs, and extensive support needs.
Newly admitted doctoral cohort for SDSU’s PARTNERS grant
We also proudly support future school leaders through a special education pathway in the K–12 Doctor of Education Program in Educational Leadership and ofer a master’s program in special education with a behavior analysis and autism concentration. With autism afecting 1 in 31 children nationally (CDC, 2025), the need for trained specialists is growing. This program equips our students to build inclusive, supportive learning environments and make a meaningful diference in schools and communities.
We are thrilled to share the recent establishment of the Lawrence and Opal Maletta Special Education Teachers Endowed Scholarship, which will directly support our students and honor the legacy of two individuals who deeply valued education and service. We are grateful for this investment in our students and faculty, and for the impact it will have for generations to come.
Accessibility is central to our mission. With support from federal and state training grants—such as Projects Perspectives, SPLASH, and PARTNERS—we’ve provided vital funding to many credential and doctoral students, particularly those from low-income and underrepresented backgrounds.
Department of Educational Leadership
The Department of Educational Leadership (EDL) at San Diego State University develops equity-driven, future-ready leaders for PreK–12 education. With over 350 students enrolled for Fall 2024, the department ofers programs such as the M.A. in educational leadership, the Ed.D. in educational leadership, and an online M.A. in teacher leadership. These programs are designed to prepare educators to take on leadership roles in schools and districts, with a focus on transformational leadership, equity, and student success. Students in the program receive hands-on, practical preparation from faculty who are deeply engaged in educational research and real-world leadership.
Few stories capture this impact more powerfully than that of Stephanie Alvarez, a student in the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential program. Hailing from Fresno, California, Stephanie entered the program with a bold vision: to become a courageous and equity-focused leader in secondary education.
Alvarez aspires to be an enthusiastic and courageous secondary school leader who helps develop equity-centered, passionate teachers to empower students. During her time in the SDSU Educational Leadership program, she said her professors provided support that was genuine, practical, and realistic. She credited lecturer Kimberly Villescaz, in particular, for creating a safe space that enabled her to grow into a stronger leader.
“I never thought I would be where I am today,” Alvarez said. “I encourage everyone to never give up on their dream. I am committed to paying it forward by supporting aspiring leaders who have a vision and passion to make a diference.”
Her story is just one example of the ripple efect that generosity creates—where gifts to scholarships and leadership programs spark not just opportunity, but enduring purpose, equity, and service across communities.
Stephanie Alvarez
Achievements:
Tanner Wilson, M.A.
Title: Undergraduate Advisor (Child Development, Leadership Studies, Liberal Studies), Ofce for Student Success
College: Education
Tanner Wilson was named San Diego State University’s Staf Advisor of the Year by Faculty Advancement and Student Success.
“I don’t think people often see advisors as change agents, but I like to see it that way,” said Wilson, who just completed his third year advising undergraduates in the College of Education’s Ofce for Student Success (OSS). “It’s not just how I help students during the day, but how I help our programs change to support them long term.”
Wilson is part of a three-person team, serving roughly 1,500 students across liberal studies, child development, and leadership studies. A former high school show choir teacher, he blends systems thinking with personalized support.
“You have students who have it all fgured out and students who got lost along the way,” he said. “I tell them I’m Google Maps—I’m not driving, but I’ll help you reroute.”
Nominated by OSS Coordinator Paul Justice and Advisor Alison Sternal (2021 honoree), Wilson has impressed colleagues with his advising skills and advocacy.
Wilson discovered his passion during SDSU’s Postsecondary Educational Leadership program after an interview with an advisor who said, “I like advising because it lets me do advocacy work.” That insight stuck with him.
Now, Wilson uses advising sessions to spot systemic barriers—and works to remove them. He recently helped a major revise its prerequisites to improve time to graduation.
At Commencement, two students told Wilson they wouldn’t have made it without him. His reply was, “You got here because of your hard work. I was just there with the pom-poms.”
Supporting Aztecs in Perpetuity
New Endowments
Cheng Endowment
Dennis and Elaine G. Szeto Scholarship in Education Endowment
Dr. Alfred Merino Memorial Scholarship Endowment
Lawrence and Opal Maletta Special Education Teachers
Scholarship Endowment
Liz and Simon McAllister Endowed Teaching Scholarship Endowment
Mary Magdalena Carrillo Mejia Scholarship Endowment
Endowments (Active)
Amber Christine Soule Endowment
ARPE Emeriti Endowed Scholarship: Disability Research
Barbara Erickson Sisk Endowed Scholarship
Ben Ziri #218 Endowed Scholarship
Betsey Biondo Student Teacher Endowed Scholarship
Brydegaard Faculty Development Endowment
Catherine Y. Lodge Endowment
Center for Critical Thinking Endowment
Cheryl L. and James F. Mason Endowed Scholarship
Chinese Cultural Center Endowment
Davene Gibson Endowed Scholarship
Drs. Alberto Ochoa and Maria Elena Ochoa Endowed Scholarship
Dr. Christianna Alger Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Dr. Ed Reed Endowed Scholarship
Dr. Samuel M. Ciccati Endowed Scholarship
Educational Leadership Endowment
Erma Woike Staff Development Endowment
Foelber Family Scholarship Endowment
Georgia Stooke Endowment
Gertrude Bell Endowed Scholarship
Global Health Legacy Endowed Scholarship
Gordon Thompson Endowment
Halfaker Memorial Endowment
Helen and Charles Rappe Teaching Excellence Endowed Scholarship
ISMA-Qualcomm Endowment
Janet Sinegal Endowed Scholarship
Janet Sloan Breece Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Jeanne Mendoza Collaboration Endowment
Jim and Scotty Dietz Scholarship Endowment
Joe & Betty Suozzo Education Endowed Scholarship
John D. Chamley Memorial Scholarship
John Tucker Endowment Scholarship
Josh A. Comay Endowed Scholarship in Child Development
Judy James Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Kurt Friedrich Memorial Endowment
LaPray/Schmock Endowed Scholarship
Leonard Sherr Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Leslee K. Teincuff Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Margaret “Robin” Murphy Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Marian K. Van Kirk Scholarship Endowed Scholarship
Marylinn J. Metzke Endowed Scholarship
Mary Alys Skulavik and Vera Jo Skulavik Endowed
Scholarship
Mary Catherine Martinez Endowed Scholarship
Mary Donaldson Endowed Scholarship
Maus Faculty Development Endowment
Miriam Paine Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Mission Federal Credit Union Endowment
Monica Murphy Endowed Fund
NCUST-Qualcomm Endowment
Park Family Endowed Executive Director for the Institute for Transformative Education
Patricia Calhoun Endowed Scholarship
Peggy Hawley Endowed Scholarship
Pellettiri Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Ray Letsinger Endowed Scholarship
Richard Servey Endowed Scholarship
Russ and Judy James Endowed Scholarship
Samuel M. and Kristine J. Ciccati Scholarship Endowment
