Students and Faculty Honored at Annual Research Conference
The annual Marvalene Hughes Research in Education Conference, hosted by the Council on Research in Education (CORE), has become a tradition at FSU’s College of Education. Named for COE alumna Dr. Marvalene Hughes, the unique event invites cross-departmental collaboration.
The 2018 conference took place March 23 and featured a number of notable presenters. As a first this year, students from the first cohort of the College of Education’s online Ed.D. program in Educational Leadership and Policy presented their research. This unique program is the first online doctoral program at Florida State and prepares education leaders to understand organizational systems, to improve policy and practice, and to be aware of issues of equity.
Another important part of the 2018 conference took place in the College of Education courtyard. Dean Marcy Driscoll, alongside Provost Sally McRorie, announced the finalists of the Robert M. Gagné Research Awards. The awards, given to a student and a faculty member, are eponymously named after the prodigious researcher and educator. This year, the Robert M. Gagné Research Award finalists were:

Left to right: Sarah Cox, Peter Carafano, Ally Quinney, Hanhan Xue, Kathleen Krach, Jenny Root, Provost Sally McRorie, Dean Marcy Driscoll
FACULTY
- Kathleen Krach, Educational Psychology & Learning Systems
- Jenny Root, School of Teacher Education
- Hanhan Xue, Sport Management
- Stephanie Zuilkowski, Educational Leadership & Policy Studies
STUDENTS
- Peter Carafano, Educational Psychology & Learning Systems
- Sarah Cox, School of Teacher Education
- Cassandra Howard, Educational Leadership & Policy Studies
- Ally Quinney, Sport Management
The two winners were:
- Stephanie Zuilkowski, Educational Leadership & Policy Studies
- Cassandra Howard, Educational Leadership & Policy Studies

Left to right: Dean Marcy Driscoll, Cassandra Howard, Stephanie Zuilkowski, and Provost Sally McRorie
We thank all of the finalists for their great work, all the participants of the 2018 conference, and Dr. Marvalene Hughes, whose generous sponsorship enables this unique and academically energizing event.