As the academic year came to a close, faculty gathered with TC leaders and guests for the College’s annual faculty appreciation reception. There, in recognition of their significant impact on students, the TC community honored faculty members Ioana Literat, Associate Professor of Communication, Media and Learning Technologies Design, with the Priscilla Wohlstetter Faculty Mentoring Award and Adele Bruni Ashley, a lecturer in TC’s English Education program, with the Faculty Teaching Award.

“‘Appreciation’ seems an understatement for how grateful I am to all of you,” shared President Thomas Bailey in his address to faculty.  “We have all chosen to be here at Teachers College because of a passion for our subject matter, an opportunity to focus on intellectual inquiry, a chance to work with and mentor future leaders, and of course, to be part of a historic institution with accomplishments and a legacy that we each build on.”

The awards, which are decided by a collective vote of students, uplift scholars who have made a profound impact on TC students and alumni throughout their lives, careers and academic endeavors.  

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(Photo courtesy of Sirin Samman)

Adele Bruni Ashley, a lecturer in TC’s English Education program and winner of the 2025 Faculty Teaching Award. (Photo courtesy of Sirin Samman)

President Thomas Bailey with Priscilla Wohlstetter, Distinguished Research Professor Emerita. (Photo courtesy of Sirin Samman)

Student Senate President Jude Fomeche (M.A. ’25, Social Organizational Psychology. (Photo courtesy of Sirin Samman)

(Photo courtesy of Sirin Samman)

“Each year we take a moment to recognize the excellence of our faculty,” said KerryAnn O’Meara, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Provost and Dean of the College. “This includes many examples: editing over 50 journals, advising students on financial aid, mentoring students, co-presenting with our students at conferences and more. We try to separate this into teaching, research and service, but in fact, they are all part of a tapestry of one life, and all of these tasks sum up to a profound commitment to TC, to our students, knowledge creation, and community.”

In celebration of Faculty Appreciation Week, students and alumni shared their favorite memories and praise for faculty in honor of the occasion. 

“Faculty Appreciation Week is an important time in which the TC community can reflect on how and why faculty matter to them,” explains Marie Miville, Vice Dean for Faculty Affairs and Professor of Psychology and Education. “I was quite moved to read the narratives and nomination stories about the many faculty who have made a difference in students’ lives. It is clear how much the faculty means to so many individuals in our community.”

The award recipients were recognized for their contributions during an honorary reception on May 8. 

Students voted to recognize Literat with the Priscilla Wohlstetter Faculty Mentoring Award in honor of her commitment to supporting students throughout their academic and professional careers. The ​​award recognizes faculty members who have successfully mentored students throughout their academic, professional and personal journeys. Citing her own love for cultivating relationships with students, Priscilla Wohlstetter, Distinguished Research Professor Emerita, established the award to inspire more faculty toward excellence in mentoring.

In presenting the award to Literat, Wohlstetter shared, “In the early stages of my professional development, I was fortunate to have effective mentors throughout my college years and continuing through the early years of my faculty career. For me, mentoring spanned the areas of academics, personal and professional development, and career exploration. My aim in creating this award was to increase the incidence and visibility of faculty mentoring. The award was given this year for only the second time, and already, 'mentoring' appears to be seeping into the fabric of TC.”

“Mentorship is the part of my job that feels most urgent, human and real. It’s at the heart of my work as a faculty member,” shared Literat in accepting the honor. “I try to mentor with care, honesty, and a sense of humor, while also naming the real challenges students face in this system. To be recognized for that, especially by my students, means they felt supported academically and as full human beings. That’s what matters most to me.”

As a doctoral advisor, Literat shares that good mentorship is “grounded in care, consistency, and honesty.” Across all the spaces where I work with students, I try to build authentic and human relationships. That means being honest about my own challenges, making room for uncertainty and allowing space for humor and levity in academic life.”

At the College, Literat serves as the Co-Director of TC’s Media and Social Change Lab (MASCLab). Her work focuses on digital innovation, educational technology, the intersection of politics and education, and social media—especially in the context of advocacy and youth political expression. She recently published her first book, co-authored with Neta Kligler-Vilenchik, titled Not Your Parents’ Politics: Understanding Young People’s Political Expression on Social Media. This book explores how youth engage with political issues on social media platforms, shedding light on their perspectives and behaviors.

Honored for her profound impact on her students, Ashley was recognized with the Faculty Teaching Award. “ I feel very honored because this is a teaching award, and I am so grateful to work with students who are educators,” shared Ashley, a lecturer in TC’s Teaching of English program. “I admire all my students for choosing teaching because it is a rewarding yet challenging profession. I center teaching so much in my own life, and every day, I remain inspired by all my colleagues and students. As teachers, we all look to one another as resources and sources of inspiration. We are a community.”

Ashley’s work is centered around multiliteracies and teacher preparation. ​​She co-founded and directs Literacy Unbound at the Center for the Professional Education of Teachers (CPET) at Teachers College, a program through which teachers and students co-create original performance pieces inspired by literature. She has received grants to work on projects that promote the arts and humanities in K-12 education, including Shakespeare & Company (NEH grant) and the Facing History & Ourselves (Deutsche Bank Immigration Grant). She also co-founded and directed Writers on Stage for the New York City Writing Project, a writing and performance program for secondary students. A former English and humanities teacher in New York City, she also presents at conferences and consults locally and internationally.

[Honorable mentions for faculty appreciation awards include: Laura Smith, Professor of Psychology and Education and Megan Laverty, Professor of Philosophy and Education.]

At the reception, Miville gave special thanks to retiring, longtime faculty members, including: Jeanne Brooks-Gunn, Virginia and Leonard Marx Professor of Child and Parent Development and Education and Co-director, National Center for Children & Families; Carolyn Riehl, Associate Professor of Sociology & Education Policy; and Michael Rebell, Professor of Law and Educational Practice and Executive Director, Center for Educational Equity. She also recognized and thanked members of TC’s Full Time Lecturer Task Force for their contributions throughout the year.

Similarly, Provost O’Meara thanked Miville for her leadership and work as Vice Dean for Faculty over the past 5 years.  Laura Smith, Professor of Psychology and Education, will assume the role of Vice Dean for Faculty beginning Fall 2025.

Learn more about previous award winners here.