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		May 2026

Dear GSE Alumni,

As we approach the end of the academic year and the final days of spring, we feel a renewed sense of possibility and connection. This month has offered numerous opportunities to strengthen our bonds, uplift each other, and celebrate our unique and intersecting journeys.

On May 1, we recently hosted a reception for GSE alumni at the Black Alumni Summit, hosted by Nicole Taylor, ’90, MA ’91, CEO of Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Alumni from many decades attended the powerful gathering and celebrated the beauty and significance of the GSE’s new buildings - Dr. Anne Charity Hudley, Associate Dean of Educational Affairs, underscored the GSE’s commitment to supporting Black student success and the importance of programs like the Stanford Ujamaa GSE Experience, which mentors Black undergraduate students and fosters a vibrant research environment. We are grateful for the dedication of our faculty and alumni to paving the way for our future scholars.

On May 15, we celebrated our newest alumni at the Welcome to Alumnihood Celebration. Over 100 students, alumni, faculty, and guests came together to honor the Class of 2026. GSE Alumni Board (GSEAB) Chair Leonard Medlock, MA ’11, and Bryan Brown, Kamalachari Professor of Science Education, led us in a heartfelt toast to mark this momentous transition into alumnihood. It was a joyful reminder of the strength of our community and the untapped potential of our students as they step into their own journeys ahead.

Looking ahead to the summer and the upcoming academic year, the GSE Alumni Relations team is excited to enhance our engagement efforts in collaboration with the GSEAB. We are focusing on building volunteer engagement and creating more avenues for alumni involvement. If you’re interested in becoming more engaged with the GSE community, please reach out—we’d love to collaborate!

Thank you for being an integral part of our community. We can’t wait to reconnect with you soon!

Warm regards,

Marly

Marly Solebello
She/Her/Hers

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

Alumni Corner

This month’s alumni spotlight is Liz Wong, MA ’12 (POLS)

Read more about Liz here.

Liz is a native New Yorker who grew up and currently lives in New York City’s Chinatown. She teaches in the New York City public elementary school from which she graduated.

Liz is the GSE Alumni Board’s (GSEAB) new chair. I hope you will help me congratulate her in her new role. We look forward to an incredible year connecting the GSE and the board with our alumni across the globe.

April's Connector posed the following Game Changer:

Q: What nostalgic television show is this month’s Cubberley Lecture Series guest most known for?

A: The answer we were looking for is Reading Rainbow, but LeVar Burton is also beloved for his roles in Roots and Star Trek: The Next Generation. Did you know that he was also the voice of Kwame (Earth!) on Captain Planet? “Go planet!”

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.

‘Learning recession’ in U.S. schools predates pandemic

A recent study reveals that U.S. student achievement was declining for years before COVID-19 – and that recovery, so far, has been uneven.

LeVar Burton on how reading unleashes the imagination

At the annual GSE Cubberley Lecture, the actor and children’s literacy advocate talked about literacy, tech, and the power of storytelling. “No one can imprison your mind. Or your imagination.”

Professional learning opportunities

May 27 -28 | In-Person, ANKO Shriram Family Hall and Forum

Education Data Science Conference

The Education Data Science Conference 2026 is a two-day forum for researchers, practitioners, and students to shape the future of education through data. The conference showcases rigorous, ethical, and interdisciplinary approaches through using data in a variety of learning contexts. From classrooms to platforms, from theory to practice: Please join us to share new applications of methods, address challenges of teaching, learning, and policy, and push the boundaries of an evolving discipline in pursuit of better, more equitable educational outcomes. Learn More & Register Here →

News, stories, and updates

School’s In Podcast with co-hosts Dean Dan Schwartz and Denise Pope, ’88, PhD ’99: Getting down to facts: Education policy at scale | Listen Here →

How do smartphone bans impact students? New study provides clues
Stanford-led research on Brazil’s national smartphone ban finds students are scoring higher on tests and paying more attention in class, but many are struggling with increased anxiety and boredom. | Read More →

How research can help improve outcomes for young people For more than 25 years, the John W. Gardner Center at Stanford Graduate School of Education has partnered with schools and communities to turn research into action that supports youth success. | Watch the video →

Stanford announces $1 million in seed grants to shape the future of AI in education A new university-wide initiative provides funding for courses, research, and critical thinking about AI in teaching. | Read More →

Engage with the GSE

May 22, 4:30 - 7:00 p.m | ANKO Longview 4th floor, Stanford Campus

RILE’s Arnetha Ball Lecture

Please join the program in Race, Inequality, and Language in Education (RILE) on Friday, May 22nd at 4:30pm! Our guest speaker will be Dr. Carol D. Lee, Professor Emerita of Education at Northwestern University, and former president of both AERA and the National Academy of Education. A dinner reception will immediately follow the Lecture.

RSVP

Save the Date

October 15–18 Reunion Homecoming Learn More

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.

April's Game Changer

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?

Submit your responses via email by Friday, May 29, 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