Show Me Research Week showcases student research from across Mizzou. This year, 28 students from the College of Education and Human Development shared their work. Read what two presenters had to say.

As graduation season approaches, thousands of high school students across Missouri are preparing to take their next steps into adulthood. For many students with disabilities, that path can feel uncertain. At the University of Missouri, however, a powerful program is helping turn uncertainty into opportunity.

The College of Education and Human Development brought together faculty, staff, students and partners for Teacher Career Exploration Day on March 19, welcoming nearly 100 middle and high school students from across mid-Missouri to explore teaching as a career.

The Education, Leadership, and Policy Analysis (ELPA) department brought its graduate students and faculty to the Missouri Capitol for a full day of direct engagement with the people shaping education across the state. The visit offered a clear view of how policy takes shape and how future leaders can influence it.

The University of Missouri College of Education & Human Development is ranked among the nation’s top graduate education programs, according to the 2026 Best Graduate Schools rankings released by U.S. News & World Report.

Through the ShowMe Connection project, rural Missouri residents can learn practical strategies to build stronger, healthier social networks.

Margaret “Peg” McLaughlin spent more than three decades working in public schools, helping students navigate their academic journeys and supporting the counselors who guide them along the way. Today, her impact on education continues through a remarkable commitment to the College of Education & Human Development.

Ratcliffe, a four-time graduate of the University of Missouri, is the recipient of the College of Education & Human Development’s Lifetime Alumni Achievement Award, which recognizes alumni whose careers have made a lasting difference in their professions and communities.

The college’s 58th annual awards ceremony brought together alumni, faculty, students, staff and partners to recognize those whose work continues to shape education and strengthen communities.

For Sarah Mitchell, the study of families has always been about understanding people and the relationships that shape their lives. Through her research, teaching and mentorship, Mitchell examines how identity, relationships and social experiences influence family life and well-being.