Professor honored with Excellence in Education Award from alma mater

Kathleen deMarrais, professor and head of the department of lifelong education, administration, and policy, recently received the 2017 Excellence in Education Award from East Stroudsburg University (ESU) of Pennsylvania for her superior teaching ability and commitment to students at the college level.

Since graduating from ESU in 1971, deMarrais has spent nearly five decades serving the academic community as a special education teacher, faculty member and mentor to dozens of doctoral students in the College of Education's qualitative research program, which she helped to create.

"I've always just really enjoyed the challenge of teaching and trying to support students in their goals and in their careers," said deMarrais. "It's been a long and very enjoyable career, and I try to keep it fresh."

With a background in anthropology and sociology of education, deMarrais's recent research is focused on how philanthropic funding is used to shape and impact educational policy and practice. Over the years, she has integrated her passion for teaching and research into various books and articles focused on social sciences and qualitative research.

In addition to her research, deMarrais works closely with doctoral students, several of whom have started new qualitative research programs at universities across the country.

Since joining UGA's faculty, deMarrais has served in numerous positions in the College of Education, including associate dean for academic programs, program coordinator for the qualitative research program and currently as department head of LEAP.

ESU will honor deMarrais' teaching career in October during their Annual Alumni Awards and Reunion Banquet on campus.

"It's been rewarding to see our students succeed," added deMarrais. "I've learned a lot in working with different students with different abilities, and it's been helpful in what I do now, in both administration and teaching."