This fall, the UConn Neag School of Education is pleased to welcome six new faculty members and congratulate two existing faculty members on their new appointments.
Dean’s Office
Laura J. Burton — Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Laura J. Burton, professor in the Department of Educational Leadership, has been named the Neag School’s associate dean for academic affairs.
In this role, Burton will oversee and maintain high-quality academic programs across the Neag School while developing and leading the implementation of inclusive, equity-oriented community building, networking, and professional development programming for faculty. She will also direct Schoolwide accreditation efforts and monitor course enrollments.
“Dr. Burton brings a strong record of leadership, a clear academic vision, and a deep understanding of our School’s values and goals,” Dean Jason G. Irizarry says. “I am confident that her experience will ensure a seamless transition, as former Associate Dean Dorothea Anagnostopoulos returns to the faculty, and continued success for our academic affairs work.”
Burton previously served as head of the Department of Educational Leadership from 2019 to 2025. She also recently served as the chair of the University Senate Executive Committee and she serves as associate editor of the Journal of Sport Management and is on the editorial board for Women in Sport and Physical Activity. A leading scholar in understanding leadership in organizations (particularly sport organizations) and exploring development, access, and success in leadership, she earned her doctorate in sport management from the University of Connecticut.
Jennie Weiner — Chair, Department of Educational Leadership
Jennie Weiner, professor in the Department of Education Leadership, has been named the new head of the department.
In this role, Weiner will collaborate with faculty and programs; lead academic initiatives; supervise and develop personnel; oversee hiring and reviews; support student success; manage departmental operations; implement strategic processes; and represent the department within the University, aligning efforts with its mission and advocating for its interests across campuses.
“Dr. Weiner brings a deep commitment to our mission and a passion for supporting students, faculty, and staff,” Irizarry says. “Her experience, collaborative leadership style, and dedication to equity and excellence in education will serve the department well as we continue to grow and innovate.”
A member of the Neag School faculty since 2013, Weiner previously served as coordinator of the Neag School’s doctoral programs and faculty advisor for the Neag School of Education Journal. She also serves as an editorial board member for four national journals, including Frontiers in Education, Journal of Educational Change, Academy of Management Discoveries, and the Journal of Leadership and Policy in Schools.
Weiner, who earned her Ed.D. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, also serves in leadership roles with numerous local, regional, and national education organizations.
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Wendy Glenn — Professor of English Education
Wendy Glenn is a professor of English education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, returning to UConn after previously serving on its faculty from 2008 to 2017. She rejoins the Neag School from the University of Colorado-Boulder, where she coordinated the English Education Program and founded the Middle and High School Teaching Plus Licensure program.
“I return to the Neag School of Education with deep appreciation for the thoughtfully designed learning experiences that faculty and staff provide students in our community,” Glenn says. “I look forward to contributing to the teacher education programs and supporting doctoral students, grounding this work in my research and teaching commitments to equity and justice.”
A former middle and high school English teacher in Arizona, Glenn is a nationally recognized scholar in young adult literature and English teacher education. Her research explores how literature can foster connection, disrupt bias, and shape adolescent identity, with particular interest in themes of race, gender, rurality, and sport in youth literature. She is currently examining representations of girls and young women in sports literature for young readers.
Glenn earned her Ph.D. from Arizona State University and is a Fulbright Scholar, President’s Teaching Scholar, and recipient of numerous awards for teaching and service. She currently serves as president of the Assembly on Literature for Adolescents of the National Council of Teachers of English (ALAN) and senior editor of The ALAN Review. Widely published, she has authored and edited multiple books and over 70 peer-reviewed articles and chapters. Glenn remains committed to mentoring future educators and advancing inclusive literacy practices.
Nicholas S. Bell — Assistant Professor of Special Education
Nicholas S. Bell is an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Psychology. He joins UConn from the University at Albany, State University of New York, and also previously served on the faculty at the University of Delaware. A former K-12 special education teacher, Bell brings a deep commitment to educational equity across both general and special education settings.
“I am excited about the endless possibilities at the University of Connecticut in the Neag School of Education,” Bell says. “I joined the Neag School to collaborate with leading scholars and experts in the field of education. Additionally, my values in education align closely with its vision. During my time here, I am hopeful that my research, teaching, and grants contribute to meaningful and transformative changes in educational practices and policies, with the overall aim of shaping equitable experiences for students in general and special education.”
An active scholar and presenter, Bell’s work explores equity-focused teacher preparation, sociopolitical identity, and culturally relevant pedagogy. He has presented at the American Educational Research Association (AERA) and is developing measurement tools such as the Equity Scenario Response Scale. In addition to his academic work, he is the founder of Nicholas S. Bell Consulting and serves as a data analyst for CoolSpeak. Bell is a recipient of the Dr. Rita Fillos Award and a member of multiple national committees supporting diversity and inclusion.
Bell earned his Ph.D. in education from the University of Delaware, with a focus on sociocultural and community-based approaches and a secondary specialization in evaluation, measurement, and statistics. His research investigates how education policies and practices impact student experiences, particularly in relation to overrepresentation in special education and broader systemic inequities.
Matthew Lemberger-Truelove — Professor of Counselor Education and Letitia Neag Morgan Endowed Chair
Matthew Lemberger-Truelove is a professor of counselor education and the Letitia Neag Morgan Endowed Chair in the Department of Educational Psychology. He joined UConn from the University of North Texas, bringing more than two decades of experience in K-12 education, higher education, and counselor training.
“I am thrilled to join the Neag School’s Educational Psychology Department, known for its research productivity and strong community partnerships,” Lemberger-Truelove says. “I look forward to collaborating with colleagues who are translating research into real-world impact in K-12 schools across Connecticut and beyond.”
“As the Letitia Neag Morgan Endowed Chair, I will have the support to lead long-term, equity-focused initiatives in high-need districts,” he says. “This role enables me to develop evidence-based programs that address educational disparities and build sustainable, scalable solutions. The endowment allows for ambitious, multi-year projects that connect research with practice to improve student outcomes.”
A nationally recognized scholar in school counseling research and practice, Lemberger-Truelove’s work focuses on culturally responsive, evidence-based interventions that support the social-emotional development, academic achievement, and well-being of PreK-12 students, educators, and families. His research has been published in top journals, such as the Journal of Counseling & Development and the Journal for Specialists in Group Work, and is frequently supported by external funding.
He earned his Ph.D. in counselor education from the University of South Carolina. Before entering academia, he worked as a school counselor, community counselor, and early childhood educator and administrator. He is a licensed mental health counselor and certified school counselor in multiple states.
Laura Steacy — Associate Professor of Special Education
Laura Steacy is an associate professor in the Department of Educational Psychology who joins the Neag School from Florida State University (FSU), where she served as an associate professor and research faculty at FSU’s Florida Center for Reading Research. Her research interests include early reading development, early predictors of reading achievement, and interventions for students who have or are at risk for reading disabilities.
“I am excited to join the faculty at Neag School of Education, where there is a strong commitment to rigorous scholarship, excellence in teaching, and supporting the broader educational community,” Steacy says. “I am excited to join the special education faculty, who are dedicated to advancing special education research and improving the lives of children with and at risk for disabilities. I am looking forward to supporting both undergraduate and graduate student learning as part of the vibrant community at the Neag School of Education.”
Steacy earned her Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University and, prior to her doctoral studies, was a classroom teacher with experience teaching kindergarten through sixth grade in Belgium, England, and Abu Dhabi.
Office of Teacher Education
Austina Lee — Assistant Clinical Professor
Austina Lee is an assistant clinical professor for the Office of Teacher Education at the Neag School, where she began teaching full-time in January 2025 after serving as adjunct faculty. With over 15 years of teaching experience, including roles at Air Academy High School and Mile High Academy in Colorado, Lee specializes in music education and conducting. Lee’s work focuses on higher education instruction, music pedagogy, and preparing future educators through hands-on, student-centered learning approaches. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in music education from Boston University and a Master of Arts in conducting from Sam Houston State University.
Lauren Midgette — Assistant Clinical Professor
Lauren Midgette serves as an assistant clinical professor for the Office of Teacher Education. Lauren began her career teaching secondary English at Bulkeley High School in Hartford, Connecticut. Her research interests include supporting pre-service educators, developing meaningful professional development for alumni, creating cross-cultural experiences for teacher candidates, and exploring how literature can shape inclusive worldviews in both elementary and secondary settings. Midgette is a three-time UConn alumna, earning two bachelor’s degrees and one master’s degree. She was awarded two fellowships at Stanford University, which motivated her to pursue a Ph.D. at Teachers College, Columbia University. While there, she also served as a lead professional development coach.
Promotions
Effective this August, seven Neag School faculty members have been promoted – two to the rank of professor: Liz Howard in curriculum and instruction and Jennifer Freeman in educational psychology; one to the rank of associate professor and tenure: Alexandra Freidus in educational leadership; one to the rank of professor in-residence: Richard Gonzales in educational leadership; two to the rank of associate professor-in-residence: Susannah Everett in educational psychology and Adam McCready in educational leadership; and one to the rank of associate clinical professor: Tracy Sinclair in educational psychology.
To learn more about the UConn Neag School of Education, visit education.uconn.edu and follow the Neag School on Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.
