Newsroom

Faculty in the School of Education & Human Development are focused on improving education and behavioral health in Colorado and making programs and pathways more accessible for students of varying backgrounds. Since August 2023, faculty secured over $2.2 million dollars in grants that will improve the future of education.

Highlights include:

Nearly $1.1M Grant to Fund Upcoming Educators’ Field Experiences

The School of Education & Human Development received a $1,083,676 grant from the Colorado Department of Higher Education to ease the financial burden of teacher and school counselor candidates who participate in clinical experiences under the supervision of a mentor as part of their education. These clinical experiences are crucial to giving teacher and counselor candidates the real-life experiences they need before taking on a position; however, the experiences are often unpaid and present a financial burden to the educator candidates. This grant will provide stipends to candidates who qualify to make these experiences and education more accessible for potential educators.

Expanding the ECE Workforce in Colorado  

SEHD faculty and staff partnered with the Colorado Department of Higher Education with a half million dollars in grant funds to help expand the Early Childhood Education (ECE) workforce in Colorado. The grant will do this by providing scholarships and stipends to students pursuing certificates or licenses in ECE, Child Development, Early Childhood Special Education or an equivalent field focused specifically on ECE. The grant will also focus on retention of educators in ECE through professional development.

Nearly $300,000 for Behavioral Health Scholarships

Rashmi Gangamma, PhD (PI), associate professor and program director in the Couple and Family Therapy program, and Scott Schaelfe, PhD, (co-PI) associate professor and Counseling program leader received a grant from the Colorado Department of Higher Education to increase the number of students enrolling in behavioral health programs. Specifically, the grant will target students from lower incomes and rural areas who will seek degrees or certificates in select behavioral health programs. The funds will be awarded through scholarships for students enrolled in degree and certificate programs aligned with the Behavioral Health Workforce Development program goals.

Supporting BIPOC Students to Influence Early Childhood Education Policy

Kristie Kauerz, EdD (PI) faculty member in Leadership for Educational Organizations and Early Childhood Policy, and Diana Schaack, PhD (co-PI), assistant professor in the Early Childhood Education program have partnered with the Teachers College of Columbia University to support doctoral student fellowships. This grant of $122,410 will support BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color) students enrolled in CU Denver's Early Childhood Policy PhD program. Additionally, funds from this grant will be used to support two BIPOC PhD students to travel to Washington, DC for the Federal Policy Institute.

Ensuring Colorado’s Youngest Learners Get High Quality Learning Experiences

Kristie Kauerz, EdD (PI), secured $65,877 from the Colorado Department of Early Childhood to work with leaders across the state to envision systemic efforts to ensure high-quality learning opportunities are provided to all children, preschool through third grade (P-3). P-3 requires engagement from both early care and education (ECE) and K-12 constituents. With these funds, the National P-3 Center will facilitate the planning of a Colorado P-3 leadership model.

In addition, the school thanks Kristie Kauerz, EdD and Julia Mahfouz, PhD, who received additional grants totaling more than $110,000. CU Denver’s School of Education & Human Development is on the forefront of creating positive change in our state. Thank you to all faculty members who have pursued funding to continue CU Denver’s legacy.