2021 CEHD Awards and Recognition

Video of A look back on CEHD and COVID-19.

Take a look back on the resiliency of our CEHD family as we faced unprecedented times together.

William C. Wright, Special Education, SPLS

William C. Wright, a major in special education, is extremely involved in both the WMU community and the local education community. He is a Funding the Advacement of Minorities in Education (FAME) and a Future Educator Program Scholar who models exemplary academic and extra-curricular outcomes for his peers.

2020 Undergraduate Rising Star Recipient
Clare Bunton, TLES

Clare Bunton is a fourth-year student studying Secondary Education, focusing on the content areas of Math and Physics. During her time at WMU, she has made an impact on countless people. Her campus involvement has been a keystone part of her achievements. Clare has been a WMU Student Ambassador in the Office of Admissions for four years and has gained leadership positions because of her fantastic leadership skills.

2021 Undergraduate Rising Star Recipient

Amira Eldemerdash, TESOL, SPLS

Amira Eldemerdash is a masters student in the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) program and a graduate assistant in the Special Education and Literacy Studies department. As a Fulbright scholar, Eldemerdash taught in her native language, Arabic, and also has experience teaching English both in Egypt and in Michigan.

2020 Rising Star Masters Award Recipient
Pam Sward, FCS

Pam Sward is graduating spring 2021 with her Master's in Family and Consumer Sciences. Pam started in the College of Education and Human Development as an administrative assistant in the Student Services Suite. When an academic advising position opened, Pam was hired to advise students majoring in programs housed in the Family and Consumer Sciences Department.

2021 Rising Star Masters Award Recipient

Alycia Sterenberg, EMR, ELRT

Alycia Sterenberg is doctoral student in the Evaluation, Measurement and Research program, a graduate assistant on the federally funded grant for the National Technical Assistance Center on Transition (NTACT), and the lab manager for the Brain Research and Interdisciplinary Neurosciences (BRAIN) Lab.

2020 Rising Star Doctoral Award Recipient
Rena VanDerwall, SPLS

Rena VanDerwall is presently a doctoral candidate in special education, a graduate assistant (GA) for the Interdisciplinary Preparation in Autism Service grant, and a part-time teacher consultant for Kalamazoo Public Schools. Rena earned her BS in special education at WMU in 2012 and her MA in the Behavior Intervention Specialist program in 2017.

2021 Rising Star Doctoral Award Recipient

Video of 2020 and 2021 Award recipients receive their awards

Will there be an in-person event later this year to celebrate?

No. The 2021 Awards and Recognition and End of the Year Celebration will be held virtually on May 12 at 4:00 p.m.
Will the virtual awards ceremony be live?

No. The 2021 Awards and Recognition and End of the Year Celebration will be pre-recorded and made available for streaming on May 12 at 4:00 p.m.
How can I view past recipients?

Past recipients can be viewed on the awards page by clicking on each individual award.