Wishing everyone a Spring Break weekend that lasts as long as π.

Revisiting old course evaluations today, one comment stood out.

A student wrote that the class encouraged them to ask questions and even challenge ideas, including mine as the instructor.

That kind of classroom culture is always the goal.

#CollegeTeaching
#TeachingAndLearning

Mary McLeod Bethune built a college when access to higher education was deeply limited. Her life reflects a belief that institutions matter and that education can widen opportunity across generations.
#WomensHistoryMonth #HigherEducation #EducationLeadership

Exhibit celebrating the life and poetry of Nikki Giovanni opens in Alexandria Alumni and community members attended the Greater Washington D.C. Area Tech on Tap reception for the opening of The Nikki Giovanni Immersive Experience at the Torpedo Factory Art Museum in Alexandria....

As we move from Black History Month (Feb.) into Women’s History Month (March), I’m glad to see this exhibit honoring Nikki Giovanni’s life and poetry open in Alexandria, Virginia.

news.vt.edu/videos/y/202...

Grateful to Dr. Kristine Jan Cruz Espinoza for helping me reflect on QuantCrit considerations in my Mixed Methods course. #MixedMethods @kageceratops.bsky.social

Did you get enough to share with everyone (specifically, me)?

Grateful for the opportunity to facilitate a workshop at Old Dominion University on thriving in graduate school. Appreciated the thoughtful engagement and conversation around motivation, growth, and well-being. #GraduateEducation #AcademicLife #HigherEd #Motivation

Happy Lunar New Year! Also, wishing everyone a happy Carnival, Ramadan, and Black History Month!

Henrietta Lacks statues unveiled where her legacy thrives Mirroring this week’s statue dedication ceremony at Lacks Plaza in Roanoke, small-scale statues of the woman whose ‘immortal’ cells changed the world of medical research were dedicated at the Fralin B...

Henrietta Lacks’ cells have shaped modern medicine. Remembering her legacy means holding scientific progress and ethical failure together, and refusing to erase the people behind discovery.

news.vt.edu/articles/202...

Sounds like the person needs some help with directions to navigating their life.

In memoriam: Gladys West ’00 The pioneering mathematician and Virginia Tech alumna whose work helped lay the foundation for the Global Positioning System died this month.

Dr. Gladys West’s work fundamentally shaped modern navigation and GPS, yet her story was not widely known for decades. I appreciate @virginiatech.bsky.social honoring her legacy and making her contributions visible.

news.vt.edu/articles/202...

Here's my new Inside Higher Ed piece on external letters for P&T with practical tips for candidates, committees, and reviewers.

#HigherEd #PromotionAndTenure

Career Advice | External Letters Done Right: Practical Tips for P&T Candidates, Committees and Reviewers

No party should neglect this important stage in the tenure and promotion process. https://bit.ly/3LRTjRM

#EDUSky #HigherEd #AcademicSky

How does #climatechange influence violent behavior, and what can social scientists do about it? Read a summary of cutting-edge research published in Psychology of Violence, managed by Andreas Miles-Novelo & Craig A. Anderson: https://bit.ly/4qIsvTa #PsychSciSky

Teaching Mixed Methods this semester at Virginia Tech. We discussed mixed methods vs multi-methods and why integration across strands helps us answer richer, more powerful questions.
#MixedMethods #ResearchDesign #EdResearch

Virginia Tech earns national recognition for community engagement The 2026 Carnegie classification recognizes the university's long-standing commitment to community engagement through trusted, reciprocal partnerships, a designation the university has held continuous...

Virginia Tech earned the 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, and I’m grateful to have served alongside admirable colleagues on this meaningful and rewarding committee.
Link: news.vt.edu/articles/202...

#CommunityEngagement #HigherEd #PublicImpact

Not all STEM grads will work in STEM professions. Many pursue adjacent paths such as analytics, finance, etc.; and seeking opportunities for growth and community while still using STEM skills. My full take in WalletHub’s 2026 analysis: wallethub.com/edu/best-wor...

#STEM #CareerPaths #Workforce

Combining Mindfulness, Movement, and Meaning in Brain Breaks The best brain breaks aren’t random or mere time-fillers—they’re purposeful pauses that help students regulate, reconnect, and reset.

Looking for brain breaks that feel purposeful? Educator Donna Paul has 8 activities that combine mindfulness, movement, and meaning! 🏃🧠

#BrainBreaks #EduSky

Characteristics of effective models for classroom demonstrations Use of peer models during classroom demonstrations can be an effective teaching practice to support student learning and self-efficacy. According to social cognitive theory, modeling is a form of v...

And if you want students to persist in the face of challenges, then they should have models who persist in the face of challenges.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1...

Just received IRB approval for a study on graduate students’ wellbeing. What a way to start the New Year and new semester. Wishing everyone a healthy, productive Spring!

#GraduateEducation #HigherEd #Wellbeing

Sleep Faster!

Wishing everyone a Happy and Festive Holiday Season!

So does this mean you aren't excited about medication prices dropping 600%?

Impressive!

The 10 Most Significant Education Studies of 2025 We’re back with our roundup of the most insightful studies of the year, from the power of brain breaks to groundbreaking research on AI, cell phones, and handwriting in the classroom.

Our annual research roundup is here!

Here are 10 takeaways from this year’s must-read education studies—from the power of brain breaks to groundbreaking research on AI, cell phones, and handwriting in the classroom. 🧠✍️

#EdResearch #EduSky

Two fall takeaways:
• Students want more readings from diverse scholars (Indigenous epistemologies really landed).
• Letting students analyze policies they care about drives engagement.
What readings/policy prompts lit up your class?
#InclusiveTeaching #HigherEd

Finals week (or nearly there)? A quick reminder to be kind to yourself; small breaks, sleep, and grace go a long way. #FinalsWeek #HigherEd

Think positively. There are tacos! And they're not going to eat themselves.

How could educators encourage GenAI use that actually stimulates metacognitive processes (planning, monitoring, reflection)? #AIinEducation #GenerativeAI

nextlevellab.gse.harvard.edu/2023/07/28/n...