School of Education Celebrates the Class of 2026
Doctoral Cording Ceremony
On Friday, May 15, 20 doctoral candidates gathered at the annual cording ceremony with Dean Robert C. Knoeppel and faculty to celebrate their achievements. Students received degrees in Doctor of Philosophy or Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership or Counselor Education and Supervision. As each student’s name and dissertation title were announced, they received their cord from their department chair and dissertation committee members.
Yi-Yun (Minnie) Tsai Ph.D. ’26 (Counselor Education), recipient of the School of Education Doctoral
Award for Excellence, was the cording ceremony’s student speaker. Tsai’s nominator described her as “a distinguished scholar whose work in Counselor Education meaningfully advances inclusivity, practitioner well-being and innovative approaches to counseling practice.” A National Certified Counselor and licensed School Counselor, Tsai’s research focuses on pertinent issues such as moral injury among school counselors, trauma-informed interventions and access to mental health services in K-12 schools.
Tsai delivered a moving speech encouraging graduates to appreciate their accomplishments and celebrate their successes. She read a selection from the children’s picture book, “More Than a Little” by M.H. Clark.
“I’m choosing to read a book for two reasons. First, most of us began our journeys in education, probably in kindergarten, where someone read us a book. I want us to remember how far we’ve come since that first book in kindergarten. And second, and I think more importantly, according to the author of the book I chose ... ‘time slows down when you read a book aloud to someone you love,’” she said. “I know there’s always a next thing, a job, a post-doc, a research project. However, at the end of a journey like this, slowing down matters, to enjoy the moment with people you love.”
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School of Education Graduation Celebration
On Saturday, May 16, the School of Education held its Graduation Celebration at Kaplan Arena. The event began with the traditional procession of faculty and students, led by musicians from Williamsburg Field Musik Fifes and Drums.
The Honorable Charles E. Poston J.D. ’74, P ’02, P ’06, rector of Board of Visitors, rang a replica of the School of Education bell to open and close the ceremony. Appointed to the board in 2019 and reappointed in 2023, Judge Poston has had a long, distinguished career in law. His wife, Anita Owings Poston J.D. ’74, P ’02, P ’06, also served as a member of William & Mary’s Board of Visitors from 2003 to 2011. Their daughter-in-law earned a Master of Education degree this year.
In his welcome remarks, Dean Knoeppel referenced the university’s history as well as William& Mary’s Year of Civic Leadership to underscore the responsibilities of the degree and the role of education in preparing individuals to contribute to the common good.
“Since its founding in 1693, William & Mary has been a place where education and civic purpose are inseparable,” he said. “You join a profession that is essential to the life of a society. And you do so as graduates of William & Mary, an institution whose history and purpose have long been tied to the preparation of individuals for lives of consequence and service.”
During the ceremony, 34 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. Forty-one 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 fifty-five students received Master of Education degrees in Counseling or School Psychology, and eleven students were recognized with Educational Specialist degrees in School Psychology. Twenty students earned Doctor of Education or Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Educational Leadership or Counselor Education, and 21 students earned undergraduate degrees in Elementary and Secondary Education. In all, 282 students received education degrees.
Watch School of Education Graduation Celebration
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 community. The 2026 winner of the Thatcher Award is Glory Munthali Ph.D.’26, who earned her doctorate in Counselor Education.
“Glory’s passion for culturally responsive and trauma-informed counseling is matched by her bright and composed demeanor. What truly sets her apart as a graduate student and future leader in our field is her positive, calm presence, which shines through in every interaction and in her work as a counselor, educator and researcher,” shared Assistant Professor Amber Pope, who nominated Munthali for this award.
Before beginning her doctoral studies, Munthali earned two master’s degrees, one in Community and Trauma Counseling and one in Organizational Leadership. As a doctoral student, she has earned two major national awards in recognition of her commitment to advancing the field of counseling. Beyond her academic contributions, her dedication to being an educator, mentor and leader has manifested in multiple ways. She taught graduate-level counseling courses, fostered inclusive, student-centered learning and held numerous service positions.
Throughout her speech, Munthali touched on her experiences being an international student from Malawi, a country in Southeast Africa, and an eldest daughter completing such a high level of education. She described how her community supported her and how a conversation with her father about courage and strength just before she left for the United States still impacts her today.
Her father told her that she would have no choice but to have courage. Looking back on her academic journey, she said, she now realizes that courage might be staying that extra hour after a long day to help a struggling supervisee or helping a fellow counselor carry the weight of clients processing deeply painful experiences.
“You see, I still do not fully understand what it means to live as though courage and strength are commands rather than suggestions. I think I’m still figuring it out. But I do get to wonder, do you think we would be able to do the bare minimum of these two just because they’re required of us?”
She closed by emphasizing the importance of the work she and her fellow graduates will be doing: “Now we must go out and live what we’ve learned, not just for prestige, not just for the publications, but for the people.”
School of Education Awards for Excellence
Each year, an undergraduate student, a master’s student, and a doctoral student are given awards in recognition of their academic and professional excellence, as well as outstanding citizenship. 
The undergraduate winner is Alex Zaccaedelli ’26, who graduated with a B.A.Ed. in Elementary Education. Throughout his undergraduate career, Alex exemplified academic excellence, professional dedication and thoughtful leadership. His nominator, April Lawrence, described him as “a truly outstanding, empathetic teacher who embodies all the values and aspirations of our program.”
The master’s winner is Khadejah Jackson M.Ed. ’26, who graduated with an M.Ed. in Educational Policy, Planning and Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education Administration. Assistant Professor Erica Wiborg described Khadejah as “a driven and insightful graduate student who has an outstanding academic record and has excelled in her professional practice as a police officer for William & Mary.” 
As previously noted, the doctoral winner is Minnie Tsai Ph.D.’26, who graduated with a doctoral degree in Counselor Education.
Inclusive Excellence Awards
This year’s celebration included the inaugural inclusive excellence awards. In the future, this award will be presented annually to a student, staff member and faculty member who demonstrate compassion, advocacy, integrity, inclusivity and impact within the School of Education community. Patrick Wu M.A.Ed. ’27 (Teacher Leader), April Lawrence Ed.D. ’17, director of field and clinical experience, and Olivia Uwamahoro, clinical assistant professor in counselor education, are the inaugural awardees.
Student Reflection
Also new this year, Raven Pierce ’23, M.Ed. ’26 (Clinical Mental Health Counseling) was invited to share inspirational words with the graduating class. Pierce opened her speech with the William & Mary slogan “Who comes here belongs here.” She then elaborated on what belonging here looks like for different students, and how the unique perspectives and experiences of each student are what help to make William & Mary the university it is. 
“The merit of this institution isn’t merely in its academic buildings, nor the prestige attached to a William & Mary degree. It’s in its people, and it’s in the stories sitting in front of me right now.”
Reflecting on her own identity as a Black, neurodivergent young mother, she emphasized how being your authentic self is what truly makes the difference. “The future does not belong to those who have it all figured out, whose confidence never waivers. The future belongs to those who show up.”