Alumni Breakouts


Reyes receives Campbell Lifetime Achievement award

Pedro Reyes, an alumnus of UW– Madison, was honored by the University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA) with the Campbell Lifetime Achievement award.

Reyes earned his doctorate from the School of Education’s Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis in 1985 before spending time with the department as an assistant professor. Today, he is a professor of education leadership and policy at the University of Texas at Austin.

Reyes is passionate about education research and the craft of teaching. In his writing, he focuses on education and opportunity, particularly on student success for children in poverty. His work has focused on urban students, language learners, migrant students, and border students. Reyes’ academic work has transcended the “blaming game” and has focused on what is possible with these students and their success in schools.

Work from Narita, Kaufman named a 2019 Mathical Honor Book

A publication from UW– Madison alumnae Katherine Palaces Narita and Suzanne Kaufman — “100 Bugs! A Counting Book” — was named a 2019 Mathical Honor Book earlier this year.

Narita, who authored the book, earned her master’s degree from the School of Education’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction in 1997, after earning her bachelor’s degree in Spanish and sociology in 1995.

Kaufman, who illustrated the book, earned her undergraduate degree from the School of Education’s Art Department in 1994.

The Mathical awards are hosted by the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute in partnership with the National Council of Teachers of English, the National Council of Teachers in Mathematics, and the Children’s Book Council. They seek to recognize outstanding fiction and literary nonfiction for youth ages 2–18.

Targeted toward Pre-K children, “100 Bugs! A Counting Book” teaches kids 10 different ways to count to 10, reaching 100 bugs by the end of the story. Narita and Kaufman’s book is part look-and-find and part learning experience, leading to a fun and educational reading for younger children.

Marri named dean of Rochester’s Warner School of Graduate Education and Human Development

Anand R. Marri was named dean of the University of Rochester’s Warner School of Graduate Education and Human Development in November 2018.

Marri earned his Ph.D. from UW–Madison’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction in 2003 and is a member of the School of Education’s Board of Visitors.

When he was hired by the University of Rochester, Marri was serving as the vice president and head of outreach and education at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. He also was a professor of social studies and education (research) at Teachers College, Columbia University.

Marri started his new position on Jan. 1, with a five- year term, the University of Rochester announced.

Charleston named associate dean for diversity and inclusion

LaVar Charleston in April was named the School of Education’s first associate dean for diversity and inclusion, a position he started on June 16.

In this role, Charleston is serving on the dean’s leadership team and will lead the creation of a new School of Education Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

In March, Charleston received a 2019 Forward under 40 Award from the Wisconsin Alumni Association. At the time, he was the 39-year-old assistant vice chancellor of student diversity, engagement, and success at UW–Whitewater. He was recognized as one of eight UW–Madison alumni under the age of 40 who is living the Wisconsin Idea by leveraging the benefits of their education to better their cities, states, nation — and even the world.

Charleston received both his master’s degree (2007) and Ph.D. (2010) from the School of Education’s Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis. While at UW–Madison, he was part of the team that helped launch Wisconsin’s Equity and Inclusion Laboratory (Wei LAB), which promotes equitable environments for learning and working in higher education.