Alumni News
Alumni Achievements
Dr. Kerri L. Briggs (Ph.D. '96) was just appointed as State Superintendent of Education for the District of Columbia. She worked at the U.S. Department of Education as an Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education, Assistant Secretary for Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development, and a senior policy adviser in the Office of the Deputy Secretary, where she worked on K-12 policy and regulations pertaining to No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Dr. Margie Curwen (Ph.D. '08) won the Phi Delta Kappa International Dissertation Award, which includes a $5,000 award and publication in one of the most widely read education journals, Phi Delta Kappan. Her winning dissertation, which explores the role of culture, assimilation, and literacy in a successful Latino middle class school in Los Angeles, also won the USC Rossier Dissertation of the Year Award last year.
Dr. Janet Eddy (Ph.D. '91) is the recipient of the 2009 USC Alumni Service Award
Dr. Eddy began her education at USC as an undergraduate in 1949. She returned in 1976 to work at the National Charity League-USC School while pursuing her master's degree in the School of Education. In 1984, Dr. Eddy joined the Division of Student Affairs as a learning specialist for USC students. After receiving a Ph.D. in 1991, she became Director of Disability Services and Programs, from which she retired in 2001.
Dr. Eddy continues to give back to the USC community as Secretary and Fellowship Chair of Phi Kappa Phi, a volunteer at the Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, treasurer of the Norris Auxiliary, Trojan Guild Board member, Trojan League of Los Angeles member, Half Century Trojans Board member, and on the scholarship committee of Town and Gown. She will receive the 2009 USC Alumni Service Award in May 2009.
Dr. Thelma Meléndez de Santa Ana (Ph.D. '95) serves as superintendent of Pomona Unified School District. She was selected to be California's nominee for the 2009 American Association of School Administrators (AASA) National Superintendent of the Year. She was chosen by the Association of California School Administrators or ACSA. Dr. Meléndez de Santa Ana is also associated with the Broad Foundation, a Los Angeles-based venture philanthropic organization established by Eli Broad. In 2006, she was among 18 business executives, military leaders, and career educators selected by the Eli Broad Center for the Management of School Systems to participate in the Broad Superintendents Academy, a 10-month executive management program to train working CEOs to lead urban public school systems. Dr. Melendez de Santa Ana has recently been nominated by President Obama to serve as Assistant Secretary for Primary and Secondary Education.
Ali Nagle (B.S. '04) spearheaded the formation of an international education program for youths in Kenya and Rwanda while teaching underprivileged middle school students at TEAM Academy, a public charter school and affiliate of the Knowledge Is Power Program in Newark, N.J. Nagle founded TEAM Academy in Africa and merged her passion for education with her sense of global responsibility and philanthropy. The international social justice project links her students in Newark with students in Kenya and Rwanda to enhance the educational experience of both groups.
Brent A. Noyes (B.S. '75 and M.S.T.E. '79) has been serving 11 years as elementary principal in the Las Virgenes Unified School District. Noyes helped oversee the building of a new $40 million elementary school campus, Yerba Buena Elementary School in Agoura Hills, Calif. The campus features technology, state-of-the-art classrooms, a full outside amphitheatre, large multi-purpose room, outside science centers, MAC computer lab, spacious playing field and playground and future relocation of the District's pre-school special education program.
Dr. Stacey C. Nickson (Ed.D. '05) has been appointed by the Auburn University Office of the Provost as Assistant Director, Biggio Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Auburn, Ala. Dr. Nickson is in her 24th year as an educator having previously served as a K-12 administrator in Southern California and most recently on the College of Education faculty at Point Loma Nazarene University (Arcadia Regional Center). At Auburn University, Dr. Nickson is responsible for helping to develop and lead faculty development seminars, workshops, private consultations and mentorship experiences for Auburn faculty, staff, administrators and graduate teaching assistants.
Dr. Glen Thomas (Ed.D. '95) was appointed as the new California Secretary of Education by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in January. From 1998 to 2006, Dr. Thomas served as executive director for the California County Superintendents Education Services Association, the statewide network of 58 county superintendents of schools, and in that role he worked closely with Dr. Rudy Castruita and Dr. Stuart Gothold. Dr. David Marsh also chaired Dr. Thomas' dissertation, which focused on state leadership in math education across six states, and the two also worked together on a number of state policy initiatives, including the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) Task Force.
Dr. Frances C. Wilson (Ed.D. '80) is the recipient of the 2009 USC Alumni Merit Award. She is a lieutenant general of the United States Marine Corps and President of the National Defense University (NDU), which educates U.S. military officers through five colleges under the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Gen. Wilson has earned four master's degrees, and she has a Doctor of Education degree from the USC Rossier School of Education. Additionally, Gen. Wilson has been decorated with the following high military honors in her 30 years of service:
- Defense Superior Service Medal
- Defense Meritorious Service Medal
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Navy Commendation Medal
- Navy Achievement Medal
In the Name of a Pioneer Educator...
The Hortencia "Tessie" M. Torres Endowed Scholarship was established by two USC alumni in a $250,000 gift in honor of their mother, Dr. Tessie Torres (Ed.D. '80).
The scholarship will be awarded to meritorious and deserving Rossier graduate students, with special consideration given to those whose background experiences are similar to those of Dr. Torres.
"Regardless of economic status, when you receive a helping hand, it's important to extend your hand back out to help other young people reach their goals," Dr. Torres said.