Visionary

The future of education will be defined by our innovation.

Dean Chrystalla Mouza sitting in front of the College of Education building.

We will lead the future of education by producing transformative research to shape policy and practice, preparing graduates to steward meaningful change and forging new partnerships to advance equity worldwide.

During the 2024-25 academic year, the College of Education at Illinois community came together in a unified project, directly related to everyone’s important work. The goal: to develop a three-year strategic vision for the College, guiding our shared efforts and the investments of faculty, staff and students.

I am pleased to share our 2028 Strategic Vision, BOLDLY EDUCATION, which frames the vital work that the College of Education at Illinois will undertake in the next three years in four critical areas: research, teaching, public engagement and resources. Along the way, the College’s vision and mission statements were refreshed, as well, to more closely reflect feedback gathered during the strategic visioning process. Boldly Education aligns with the aims of the University of Illinois’ strategic framework BOLDLY ILLINOIS 2030, which is focused on the values of collaboration, inclusion and empowerment.

As you explore our 2025 Impact Report, I invite you to see examples of our vision already in action. Our community is deeply committed to leadership, curiosity and innovation that serve to improve outcomes for learners of all ages and backgrounds.

I believe, as I trust you do, in the transformative power of education to enrich lives and strengthen communities. Boldly Education calls for bold collaboration—with educators, policymakers, communities and global partners—united by our shared belief in the power of education to shape a more just and humane world.

Yours in Orange & Blue,

Chrystalla Mouza Dean, College of Education

EDUCATION AT A GLANCE

COLLEGE RANKINGS

2025 U.S. News & World Report rankings for our programs and departments:

Online Master’s in Education Degree Programs

#11

Graduate Programs Among Public Universities

#7 Curriculum & Instruction

#8 Special Education

#10 Secondary Teacher Education

#11 Educational Psychology

#14 Educational Administration

#15 Elementary Teacher Education

#17 Higher Education Administration

#20 Education Policy

2024-25 DEPARTMENTAL MILESTONES

Curriculum & Instruction

Hired five new tenure-system faculty members to the department for Fall 2025.
Online master’s degree program in Trauma-Informed Practice and Pedagogy launched in Fall 2024 and now has over 30 students enrolled.
During academic year 2024-25, the first two cohorts of students graduated from the Early Childhood Professional Education online bachelor’s degree program.

Education Policy, Organization & Leadership

Faculty secured over $2.8M in new funding from federal, state, and private foundation sources as PIs on research and training projects.
OCCRL (Lorenzo Baber, director) recognized for the 2025 Presidential Citation for Excellence from the Council for the Study of Community Colleges.
Welcomed one new tenure-system faculty member, Oliver Tapaha, focused on Indigenous Leadership.

Educational Psychology

Welcomed three new tenure-system faculty members to the department for Fall 2025.
Large number of new graduate students in Educational Psychology, including in the Mental Health Counseling master’s degree program, which has more than doubled since 2023.
First named professorship in the Department of Educational Psychology awarded: Michelle Perry invested as the Richard C. Anderson Professor of Cognitive Science of Teaching and Learning.
Continued development of the department’s new Counseling Research Clinic in partnership with the College of Applied Health Sciences’ Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES).

Special Education

Welcomed three new tenure-system faculty members and a new assistant to the head.
Marked the 21st year of the Goldstick Initiative, supporting research, education and advocacy in the areas of special education and communication disorders.
Launched a new Graduate Certificate in Early Intervention.
Managed over $6M in grants from the Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Department of Human Services, Office of Special Education Programs, Institute of Education Sciences, and the National Institutes of Health.