Celebrating the Class of 2024 School of Education graduates
Doctoral Cording Ceremony
On Friday, May 17, 36 doctoral candidates joined Dean Robert C. Knoeppel and faculty to celebrate the annual cording ceremony with families and friends. Students received Doctor of Philosophy or Doctor of Education degrees in Educational Leadership or Counselor Education and Supervision. As each student's name and dissertation title were recognized, they were joined by their department chair and dissertation committee members while the chair bestowed a cord to be worn proudly at graduation.
Anyesha Mishra Ph.D. '24 (Gifted Education Administration), recipient of the School of Education Doctoral Award for Excellence, was chosen as the cording ceremony's student speaker. Praising Mishra’s motivation, dedication, and ability, her mentor and dissertation committee chair, Jennifer Cross,
Mishra delivered an uplifting speech that highlighted the importance of hope, purpose and curiosity. She stated, "These elements are essential, not only for personal development, but also for fostering a dynamic and innovative educational environment."
Watch Doctoral Cording Ceremony
William & Mary Commencement Ceremony
Following the cording ceremony, the university-wide Commencement ceremony was held Friday evening in Zable Stadium. Judge John Charles Thomas, the first African American and youngest appointee to the Supreme Court of Virginia, served as the ceremony’s keynote speaker. He also served as the Opening Convocation speaker in 2021, encouraging students to “be magnificent builders,” a theme he built upon in his Commencement remarks. School of Education graduate student Correnthia Randolph M.Ed. ’24 was chosen as this year's student Commencement speaker. She emphasized the importance of graduating students' educational journey: “From this day, we are now bonded by the journey and sealed by ceremony."
Watch W&M News Video, Commencement 2024
During the ceremony, 35 students earned Master of Arts in Education degrees in the areas of Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Special Education, ESL and Bilingual Education, and Literacy Leadership. Fifteen students were recognized with Master of Education degrees in Educational Policy, Planning and Leadership, including both K-12 Administration and Higher Education Administration. One hundred forty-nine students received Master of Education degrees in Counseling or School Psychology. Fourteen students were recognized with Educational Specialist degrees in School Psychology. Thirty-six students earned Doctor of Education or Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Educational Leadership or Counselor Education. And, 13 students earned undergraduate degrees in Elementary and Secondary Education. In all, 262 students received education degrees.
School of Education Ceremony
On Saturday morning, May 18, the School of Education hosted its Graduation Celebration to honor education graduates. The day began with the annual procession of faculty and students led by three musicians of the Williamsburg Field Music Fifes and Drums. Despite the rain, excitement and laughter filled the air as the celebrants gathered to make their way through the building and into the School of Education courtyard for the ceremony, where it overflowed with friends and family in attendance, exuberantly cheering on their loved ones.
Watch School of Education Graduation Celebration
Professor Megan Tschannen-Moran was given the honor of ringing the school bell to both open and close the ceremony. She is retiring after 24 years of service to William & Mary and the School of Education. During this time, she published three books, as well as 66 peer-reviewed scholarly journal articles and book chapters. She has presented at international, national and state conferences, including over 50 presentations at scholarly conferences and 135 invited keynotes, talks, and workshops in 22 states and 15 countries. Professor Tschannen-Moran’s scholarly writing is recognized around the globe, having been cited nearly 50,000 times. She chaired over fifty doctoral dissertations, co-chaired three, and served as a committee member of many others.
In his opening remarks, Dean Knoeppel shared thoughts about cultivating a community of belonging, noting that, "belonging is foundational to our shared work." He assured graduates that together with their family and friends, the School of Education community stands ready to support them in their important work of transforming students, schools and communities. He also reminded them that William & Mary and the School of Education would always be their home.
In reference to Judge Thomas's Commencement speech, Dean Knoeppel focused on the idea of professional educators being "magnificent builders" of classrooms, communities, institutions of higher education and mental health agencies. Dean Knoeppel reaffirmed Judge Thomas' powerful message, "with the transformative power of the education you’ve gained here, you are meant to be builders of the best that America can be."
Margaret, The Lady Thatcher, Award for Scholarship, Character and Service
Each year, this medallion award recognizes a graduate student who embodies the traits of scholarship, character and service within the School of Education and university community. The 2024 winner of the Thatcher Award is Allison Fears Ph.D. '24, who earned her doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision.
When introducing Allison Fears, Dean Knoeppel noted her characteristics of advocacy, achievement, and service through her work as a school counselor, a doctoral student, and an assistant professor at East Carolina University. With a passion for making a difference in Counselor Education, she teaches and trains counselors to work in rural areas. Her dissertation focuses on the social and racial justice challenges school counselors face in rural communities and the impact of inequity in rural areas.
As a doctoral student, she received several research grants through the School of Education Diversity and Inclusion Office. She served two years as the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Graduate Student Representative for Division E: Counseling and Human Development. She worked alongside the School of Education's Online Counseling Department as a graduate assistant in addition to serving as a supervisor and mentor for Project Empower, a school-based mentorship program.
Fears began her speech by highlighting the educators in her life who have guided her throughout her academic journey. Inspired by her love of flowers, she compared her support system to daffodils. She stated that daffodils are unique, special, among the first flowers to bloom, and bring great promise after winter. Fears recognized her "daffodils," as the supporters who continue to uplift, inspire, and encourage her. Following the advice of her support system, Fears hopes to be the change she wishes to see in the world.
She closed her remarks by encouraging her fellow graduates to consider their own "daffodils." With the words of William Wordsworth from the poem that inspired her theme, she concluded:
"For oft, when on my couch I lie,
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye,
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils."
School of Education Awards for Excellence
Each year, three awards — one to an undergraduate, one to a master's student and one to a doctoral student — are given in recognition of academic and professional excellence, as well as outstanding citizenship.
The undergraduate winner is Spencer Alderson '24, who graduated with a B.A.Ed. in Elementary Education. Throughout her time as an undergraduate at William & Mary, Spencer has consistently exceeded expectations and demonstrated a significant dedication to learning. In the classroom, Spencer contributed constructively and insightfully to classroom discussions, wrote clearly and effectively, and demonstrated diligence in researching the class topics. Many of the faculty admire how Spencer carried herself professionally and her commitment to connecting classroom learning to practice.
The master's/educational specialist winner is Monique Williams M.Ed. '22, Ed.S. '24, who graduated with an educational specialist degree in School Psychology. Monique is an outstanding student not only within school psychology, but across the School of Education and the broader William & Mary community. In her academic work, Monique displays excellent critical thinking skills and proactive class engagement, showcasing a strong integration of theory and practice. Her impact extends far beyond the classroom as she provides a proactive approach to the advancement of our community. Serving in various leadership roles, including as president of the School Psychology Student Association (SPSA) and a National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) student leader, Monique has consistently gone above and beyond to foster an environment of growth and support for her peers. 
Outside of academics, her research projects aimed to understand and address the experiences of Black Women faculty in Counselor Education Programs across the country. This research reflects her strong commitment to learning while highlighting inclusivity and equity initiatives.
As previously noted, the doctoral winner is Anyesha Mishra Ph.D. '24, who graduated with a doctoral degree in Gifted Education Administration.
