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.
A three-time Mizzou graduate, Bradley Ekwerekwu is the recipient of the College of Education & Human Development’s Mid-Career Alumni Achievement Award, which recognizes alumni who have made significant contributions to their professions and communities.
The Mizzou Alumni Association and the Alumni Association Student Board recently named recipients of the 2026 Mizzou 18 and Mizzou ’39 awards, which recognize outstanding University of Missouri students. Two Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) students, Jarri Brooks and Jasmine M. Godwin, were honored at this year’s awards ceremony.
Graduate students in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) are not waiting for the future of research to arrive. They are building it now.