April 2025
National Rankings Recognize USU for Education Programs
U.S. News and World Report is among the country’s most recognized leaders in educational rankings. Its recently released 2025 rankings highlight the consistent quality of offerings from the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services at USU:
- 26th graduate college of education in the nation among public universities
- #1 among colleges of education in Utah for 25 consecutive years
- 35th in the nation for graduate colleges of education
- 15th in extramural funding
“We are proud to see our continued commitment to research excellence, innovation, and student success recognized in this year’s U.S. News & World Report rankings,” said Interim Dean Shawn Whiteman. “This achievement is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff, and students, and it reinforces our mission to provide a world-class education that prepares graduates to lead and thrive in a changing world.”
Interim USU President Alan Smith adds, “Educator preparation at USU has been a strength for decades. We are proud to lead the state in educating our future teachers and in the overall scholarship of our students.”
The rankings follow a competitive screening process of more than 255 universities. Highly ranked programs have strong traditional academic foundations based on student-instructor access, graduation rates, and instructor credentials. They also excel at educating distance learners while offering robust career and financial support..
Research & News
Professor Creates Comic Book for Educators to Address Student Homelessness in K-12
USU Professor Kessa Roberts collaborated with researchers at Southern Methodist University in a unique way to communicate with educators about a serious topic—student homelessness. Funded by a grant from the Spencer Foundation, the team created a comic book based on real-life experiences, Uprooted: Voices of Student Homelessness, to dispel common homelessness misconceptions and reduce stigma with the intent to better identify and serve students in these situations.
Psychology Professor Recognized for Outstanding Achievements in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Michael Twohig, professor of psychology, was recently honored at USU for his work in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a form of psychotherapy that uses acceptance, mindfulness, and values-based strategies to promote mental health and wellbeing. In 2022 and 2024, Twohig was rated the most productive author on ACT in the world, and USU was recognized as the most productive institution for ACT research.
Laura Reina Recipient of the Sorenson Legacy Award for Excellence in Arts Education
Laura Reina, vice principal of Edith Bowen Laboratory School on the USU Logan campus, was recently awarded the Sorenson Legacy Award for Excellence in Arts Education by Laurie Baefsky, fine arts coordinator for the Utah State Board of Education. Reina is one of nine educators and administrators across the state of Utah who received a Sorenson Legacy Award this year.
USU Celebrates Early Childhood Programs for Nationwide Week of the Young Child
The National Association for the Education of Young Children has recognized the value of children since the early 1970s in childcare centers, preschools, and other early childhood education facilities. Its annual program, the Week of the Young Child, was recently observed at USU with campus-wide and statewide activities that celebrated the 10,000+ young children it serves in its early childhood programs across the state of Utah.
CEHS Valedictorians Recognized for Outstanding Academic Achievements
Eight undergraduate students have been selected to be valedictorians for their respective departments—ranging from special education and psychology to kinesiology and nursing—in the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services for the upcoming graduation ceremonies. These students are recognized for their overall academic excellence for the duration of their undergraduate studies and have earned the highest GPAs in their departments.
Upcoming Events
2025 CEHS Graduation
6:30 PM Academic Procession
7:00 PM University Commencement Ceremony, Dee Glen Smith Spectrum
Thursday, May 1
11:00 AM CEHS Convocation for Graduate Degrees, Dee Glen Smith Spectrum
1:30 PM CEHS Convocation for Undergraduate Degrees, Dee Glen Smith Spectrum
Note: A clear bag policy will be in effect for all commencement events. Learn more.
Blue Plate Research
Presented by Psychology Professor Mike LevinAccessible Therapy: Supporting Wellbeing Through Technology
Tuesday, May 6 at 11:30 AM
Gallivan Hall, 239 S. Main Street in Salt Lake City
This presentation will focus on using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as an innovative method of addressing health and wellbeing, with an emphasis on college mental health, chronic health conditions, and health behavior change.
Learn more and RSVP for the event at Blue Plate Research.