Honoring Distinguished Alumni

In April, University of Delaware’s College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) was proud to honor six distinguished alumni with alumni awards. These annual awards recognize exemplary leadership and service to the fields of education and human development, as well as service to the college. Rena Hallam, interim dean of CEHD, presented the awards to each of the recipients at CEHD’s All College Meeting on April 3, 2025, with faculty, staff and community members in attendance. 

Alumni Excellence in Education Award

Maryann Koziol, EHD81, and Nicholas Baker, AS02, EHD06M, 09EdD, received CEHD’s Alumni Excellence in Education Award. This award recognizes alumni for their significant long-term contributions and commitment to their schools or organizations through creative and innovative teaching practices, their ability to inspire students and families or their creative work in community organizations that directly supports children and families.

After 42 years in the field of education, Koziol will retire at the end of the 2025 school year from her position as a preschool instructional coach in Colonial School District’s early education program. In addition to impacting hundreds of young children and their families through her teaching, Koziol has mentored CEHD student teachers and served on several leadership committees at the school, district and state levels.

Baker is supervisor of curriculum and instruction in Colonial School District and a three-time graduate of UD. Throughout his career, Baker has established himself as a model professor for aspiring teachers. He has advocated for the integration of Indigenous and Latinx histories into Delaware’s social studies curriculum, empowered teachers to address critical gaps in education and continually supported both in-service and pre-service teachers.

Alumni Leadership and Community Service Award

Sarah Hearn, EHD00, 08M, received CEHD’s Alumni Leadership and Community Service Award. This award is given to alumni who have made substantive contributions to leadership in educational settings, communities or their chosen professions.

Hearn, a two-time graduate of CEHD, has contributed over 20 years of service to the University. Most recently, she has served as the program manager for the Delaware Positive Behavior Support Project in CEHD’s Center for Disabilities Studies (CDS), overseeing the administration of the Delaware School Climate Survey. Among other contributions to CDS, she played a pivotal role in merging that project with the ACCESS project to establish the Delaware Multi-Tiered System of Support Technical Assistance Center.

Alumni Service to CEHD Award

Jamie Bailey, EHD07, 22EdD, received the Alumni Service to CEHD Award. This award honors alumni who have demonstrated substantial commitment to the mission of the college through the giving of time, talent and resources that advance the college mission.

Bailey, a two-time graduate of CEHD and student recruiter for teacher preparation programs in CEHD’s Center for Excellence and Equity in Teacher Preparation, has demonstrated a keen understanding of the needs of underrepresented students in UD’s education programs. With that understanding, she has dedicated herself to enacting meaningful changes within UD’s programs and to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for students and colleagues alike.

Alumni Trailblazer Award

Teresa Hickok, EHD08, 19EdD, and Tara Silberg, EHD20, received CEHD’s Alumni Trailblazer Award. This award is given to recent CEHD alumni that have distinguished themselves in their chosen professions or communities within the last five years. 

Hickok is a two-time graduate of CEHD, an assistant professor in the School of Education and the program coordinator for our K-8 teacher education associate program in Wilmington. Hickok has distinguished herself by strengthening and expanding the associate program, recruiting and retaining excellent students and building community partnerships. This work speaks to CEHD’s mission of serving Delaware students, strengthening the teacher education pipeline and addressing Delaware’s teacher shortage. 

Since graduating, Silberg has worked at CEHD’s Center for Research in Education and Social Policy, the Jewish Federation of Delaware and ShadowLight, a Holocaust education nonprofit. In her current role as assistant regional director for New York and New Jersey at the Anti-Defamation League, she manages an educational program that works with Jewish-based institutions to assist students in grades 8 through 12 and in college who are facing discrimination. In all aspects of her career, she has dedicated herself to education, humanitarian interventions and serving vulnerable populations.

To nominate yourself or a fellow Blue Hen for an alumni award, complete CEHD’s online nomination form. Or, share your story with CEHD!

Article by Jessica Henderson. Graphic and photos by Shelly Silva.