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With help from Ashland University, Paul Jackson becomes a first-year school administrator
Ashland University has played a big part throughout Paul Jackson’s life. He met his wife at AU, was named a middle school principal after earning a master’s degree from the university and is now using his graduate-schooling knowledge toward a Ph.D. “In high school I attended a summer program for gifted young people,” Jackson said. “The beautiful campus, fascinating courses and stimulating conversations led by AU faculty left a strong impression on me as a…
AU grad becomes superintendent in community with a special place in her heart
Twice, Jennifer Allerding’s son, Kaden, has been diagnosed with cancer, and both times the Loudonville-Perrysville community has rallied around her family. “I made the commitment that if I ever had the opportunity to make a difference in the community, I would,” said Allerding, who is the new superintendent for Loudonville-Perrysville Exempted Village Schools. “The desire to move to L-P provides me the opportunity to give back to a community that gave so much…
Teacher of AU natural history field classes inducted into the ODNR Hall of Fame
When Paul E. Knoop Jr. and his wife, Cathy, moved to Hocking County in 1997 they started teaching natural history field classes to teachers and naturalists for Ashland University. “Paul is the expert and has the knowledge, and I take that and show teachers how to use it in classrooms,” said Cathy, a retired elementary science teacher. “All our classes are teamwork.” That was one of the many things that led to Paul’s induction into the Ohio Department of…
AU grad named a 2023 Jostens Renaissance Educator of the Year
Tricia (Molden) Phelps has never forgotten how much Ashland University has helped her teaching career. “It gave me the foundation to start my career, and I’m still teaching, and I love everything about teaching,” said Phelps, who graduated from AU in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in education. “I am still a proud Eagle.” That “foundation” has led to a 25-year career as a health and physical education teacher at Licking Valley High School in…
Master's degrees and more - Ashland University a big part of the Nickoli/Miller family
When it was announced in April that Ashland University had been recognized as a 2023-24 Best Graduate School for education by U.S. News & World Report, AJ Nickoli didn’t waste any time commenting about it on social media. “Whole Nickoli family went to grad school here,” the AU assistant football coach wrote on the university’s Twitter post about the recognition. “This is LEGIT!!” “My mom, dad, grandpa and uncle all got their master’s at AU,”…
AU graduate courses help longtime educator have a varied career, including his new director of administrative services job
Even though Geoff Halsey said he’s about five years away from retirement, the longtime educator plans to earn a doctorate degree before he retires. That’s because he said he loves learning and being in school settings. Some of the best of the many graduate courses the 52-year-old said he has taken throughout his education career were through Ashland University, where he earned his building principal license, as well as a master’s equivalency in educational…
Chapman, who earned a master's degree from AU, named superintendent of Columbus City Schools
Ashland University allowed Angela Chapman to take graduate courses while still working full time as an elementary teacher early in her education career. “My school district at the time, Cleveland Heights-University Heights, had a partnership with Ashland University,” said Chapman, who earned her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction in 2000 after two years of AU classes. “The partnership provided extension and outreach courses in our district after…
Career path to Richland Youth & Family Council director job included AU graduate classes
Taking graduate courses at Ashland University worked out really well for Michelle Miller for a couple of reasons. First, they were available through a partnership between AU’s Columbus branch and Columbus City Schools, where she was working at the time. Second, as a full-time literacy specialist for Columbus City Schools, Miller loved being able to take classes in the evening. “I would absolutely recommend Ashland University for graduate work,” said Miller…
Ashland University grad student and best friend start business of sensory play kits for children
Ashley Gibbs decided to start taking graduate classes at Ashland University in 2021 for a lot of the same reasons she started a business of sensory play kits for children last fall with her best friend. “I liked that it was all online, as I have two little ones at home and am constantly on the go,” said the Canfield High School biology teacher, who added that she also chose AU because its Master of Education program was highly rated by several of her…
Ashland University art education graduate Mindy Duncan earns award at Mansfield Senior
Mindy Duncan has never forgotten how much Ashland University helped her career as an art teacher. “It helped immensely,” said Duncan, who has been teaching art for 29 years at Mansfield Senior High School. “I feel the close relationships with the very caring and excellent staff at AU helped foster my artistic and educational pursuits. Even after I graduated, there was continued support from art professors and colleagues.” Duncan was recognized recently for…
