Email Template

		June 2026

Photo: Ryan Zhang

Dear GSE Alumni,

As we approach summer and another academic year draws to a close, we find ourselves in a season of celebration, reflection, and exciting new beginnings. This month brings the culmination of our students' hard work and opens new doors for connection across our vibrant alumni community.

On Sunday, Stanford University held its Commencement Ceremony, and we were honored to celebrate our graduates at the GSE Diploma Ceremony. Our featured speaker was the distinguished Dr. Rachel Lotan, professor emerita and former director of the Stanford Teacher Education Program (STEP). Her words reminded us of the transformative power of our work and the bright futures our newest alumni will shape.

Speaking of connection, the GSE Alumni Board (GSEAB) is thrilled to host a small gathering with students and recent graduates on campus this summer as part of our ongoing initiative to strengthen the bonds between current students and our alumni community. We can't wait to share more details with you soon. Another exciting collaboration is brewing among Stanford, Harvard, and Teachers College, Columbia University to once again host a Zoom event this fall. If you haven’t attended one of these events in the past, you won’t want to miss it!

Stanford Open Minds may be coming to your city this fall, with events currently scheduled for Atlanta, Boston, and Miami. If you live in or will be traveling to any of these cities, I highly recommend checking them out — registration is now open!

This summer, we're showing our Bay Area pride at a couple of local sporting events! We mixed our Stanford Cardinal red with the violet, black, and gold of Valkyries basketball fans earlier this month, and next month we'll embrace navy blue and poppy red to cheer on Bay FC soccer. It's a wonderful way to connect with fellow alumni while supporting our local teams.

Finally, if you're looking to connect with other GSE alumni, be sure to set up Stanford Pass to access the Alumni Directory and Stanford Groups, our online Stanford communities.

Thank you for continuing to be such a vital part of our GSE family. Here's to a fun-filled (and restful) summer!

Warmly,

Marly

Marly Solebello
She/Her/Hers

Director, Alumni Relations
(650) 497-1557 | marlys@stanford.edu
507 Lasuen Mall | Stanford, CA 94305-3009

Alumni Corner

This month’s alumni spotlight is Iona Szkurnik, MA ’14 (POLS)

Read more about Iona here.

Iona Szkurnik is the founder and CEO of Education Journey, a corporate learning platform that uses AI to personalize professional development. A Stanford Graduate School of Education alumna with a background in psychology and education technology, she focuses on AI readiness and how people and organizations learn, adapt, and lead through change. Her work also includes cofounding Brazil at Silicon Valley, writing as a Forbes Brasil columnist, and teaching AI for leaders at Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná.

May's Connector posed the following Game Changer:

Q: Leonard Medlock, MA ’11, the chair of the GSE Alumni Board, was highlighted in the Alumni Spotlight for November 2025. Can you name one of his mentors that he mentioned during his time at the GSE?

A: His mentors at the GSE included professors Karin Forsell, Shelley Goldman, Roy Pea, Paolo Bilkstein, and Bryan Brown.

State leaders honor outgoing dean of Stanford Graduate School of Education

GSE Dean Dan Schwartz received accolades for his service to education at a community Block Party at Stanford.

Ira Lit named faculty director of the Haas Center

The education professor brings a career steeped in community-engaged scholarship and teaching to his new role leading Stanford’s public service hub.

Grads called to pursue what excites them at Commencement 2026

At Stanford’s 135th Commencement, Sundar Pichai delivered the keynote address to more than 20,000 attendees, celebrating one of the university’s largest graduating classes.

Professional learning opportunities

July 27 - 31 | In-Person, Barnum Center, Stanford University

A Summer of Mindset Mathematics with Youcubed!

We will share with you a Mathematical Mindset Approach – what does that mean for the tasks you use? the questions you ask students? The pedagogy you employ? We know this approach raises achievement significantly and this workshop will mean you leave with the tools to put the approach into action, changing the lives of students and probably yourself! Learn More & Register Here →

Professional Learning Extension Programs (PLEX)

PLEX offers professional learning opportunities where learners engage deeply in topics of interest in community with others.

Upcoming Offerings Include:

AI Literacy for Educators | Synchronous Online | June 2026
Language & Literature - Using Students’ Funds of Feeling to Build Textual Interpretation | Synchronous Online | Summer 2026

Learn More & Register Here →

News, stories, and updates

School’s In Podcast with co-hosts Dean Dan Schwartz and Denise Pope, ’88, PhD ’99: Raising lifelong readers: Why access and role models matter (rebroadcast) | Listen Here →

Three Stanford education professors appointed to endowed chairs
Victor Lee, Meira Levinson, and Susanna Loeb are honored with the distinguished academic titles. | Read More →

Stanford education experts put AI into perspective
Researchers are taking an evidence-based approach to AI’s influence on education, weighing the risks while prioritizing meaningful learning. | Read More →

Engage with the GSE

June 23, 4 - 5 PM PT | Zoom

Building Your Weak Ties: Approaches to Making Meaningful Connections Quickly

Strengthening connections with others in ways that are more meaningful than “network” but less intense and intimate than “relationship” is a critical skill in a world filled with uncertainty. This session builds on work originally done by Stanford’s Mark Granovetter about the power of “weak ties” for fresh thinking, specific opportunities, and improved mental well-being with our modern-day context.

Register

July 31, 4 - 6 PM PT | In-Person, ANKO Forum

LDT Expo 2026

Each summer, LDT students showcase their master’s projects at a lively event that draws a crowd of education and tech professionals, potential investors, and curious community members. Students show off their work while gaining valuable feedback from people in the field.

Learn More

Save the Date

October 15–18 Reunion Homecoming Learn More

Stanford Education Leadership Summit: GSE+GSB (MA/MBA) reunion event, October 15, 2026. Learn more
Alumni Excellence in Education Award Ceremony & Reception, October 16, 2026. Learn more.
STEP Conference, October 17, 2026.

Stanford Open Minds Learn More

Atlanta, September 9, 2026, High Museum of Art
Boston, November 7, 2026, SoWa Power Station
Miami, December 9, 2026, Frost Science Center

GSE Game Changer

Each month, we’re shaking things up with a fun challenge where your attention to detail, knowledge, and competitive spirit can win you exclusive GSE swag! Whether it's trivia, puzzles, or scavenger hunts, this is your chance to snag some awesome prizes. Get ready to play, have fun, and make a game-changing move! Don't miss out—it's the ultimate way to wrap up the newsletter each month.

June's Game Changer

The Stanford Alumni Groups are online communities that connect alumni from various fields and interests. What Alumni Group have you engaged with or joined this year?

Submit your responses via email by Friday, June 26, for a chance to win exclusive GSE swag! Those who answer correctly will be entered into a raffle, with one winner drawn each month.

Stanford Graduate School of Education

485 Lasuen Mall, Stanford, CA 94305-3096

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Stanford Graduate School of Education | 485 Lasuen Mall, Stanford, CA 94305