Giving Opportunities

While we value gifts to our areas of highest need, there are many other giving opportunities available to you. Explore the options below to find something that aligns withyour passions, whether it be community-funded scholarships, center & initiative support, academic programs, or giving in honor of faculty.

Scholarships

Though we are proud of our steady growth inscholarships over the years, awarding nearly $350k in 2016to ourstudents,we are still in great need of support. With tuition and inflation on the rise andalackof substantial state and federal funding, our students face more challenges than ever before in their pursuit of higher education. For teachers, especially, a life without debtis dependent on receivingsignificant financial aid and scholarships.

  • Did you know the average cost per year for student books and supplies aloneis $1,800?

Substantial and renewable scholarships are crucial for our students and their futures.Join with others and support one or more of the following scholarships made possible by multiple donations from the community. If you're interested in creating a new named scholarship or learning more about university endowments, please contact our Assistant Dean for Advancement Micah Abram.

By contributing to this fund you are providing unrestricted dollars to supplement scholarship awards to undergraduate, Master's and Doctoral students. The Dean relies on this fund to help out when the market under performs or when students have extraordinary needs.

The Women Investing in the School of Education (WISE) giving circle is comprised of womenwho support the core values and beliefs of the School and believe in the power of education to change lives. Members include alumnae and friends of the School to include teachers, retired teachers, and those involved in education in other ways. Each year, they award grants to support theSchool’s teaching, research, and outreach initiatives that may otherwise go unfunded. Additionally, thisScholarship provides much needed student support.

Distributions from this Fund will be used to provide support for students enrolled in the School at the University. Student support includes but is not limited to: scholarships, professional development and enrichment experiences. The Dean of the School of Education in consultation with members of the WISE giving circle who have contributed to the fund, if possible, will determine the greatest needs of the school in any given year. Support the WISE Scholarship

This scholarship supports teacher licensure students who are committed to advancing educational opportunities in under-resourced schools, especially those that serve African American communities. Professor Emeritus Charles Nilon (1916-1991) joined the English Department in 1956 as the first black professor at Ҵýƽ. Over the next several decades, he inspired countless students, colleagues, and community members from all backgrounds. Among many important contributions, he spearheaded the university’s first Black Studies program that grew into the current Department of Ethnic Studies.

Mildred Nilon (1920-2017) became the first black librarianon campusin 1962. Over the next 25 years, she becamehead of the Reference Department and later the Assistant Director for Public Services.

Professor and Mrs. Nilon were beloved members of the our community who also effectively began a change in Boulder’s segregated housing pattern. Their belief in the importance of community and service is evidenced by their active participation in local groups such as the United Black Action Committee, the United Black Women of Boulder Valley (including Mrs. Nilon’s term as president), the Town and Country YWCA Board, the Mental Health Board, and Historic Boulder. Named in honor of the Nilons’ impact on CU, the local community, and the experiences of underrepresented students, this fund aims to support students who will extend their legacy by expanding opportunities for current and future generations of children in under-resourced schools.

This fund was established by DeanKathy Schultz and her husband David Paulin May of 2017 to provide scholarship awards for students enrolled in the School of Education who are not eligible to receive federal or state financial aid, that graduated from high school or obtained a GED within the United States, and can demonstrate financial need. Applicants with active Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or Advancing Students for Stronger Economy Tomorrow (ASSET) status are particularly encouraged to apply for these awards and will receive preference for this scholarship.

Together with the the Hubert L. “Hooks” Jones Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. we established a scholarship to support Ҵýƽ education students who are inspired to continue the Tuskegee Airmen legacy. In honor of theAfrican American men and women who served our country with distinction during World War II, this endowment awards studentsaspiring to work in and teach students from underrepresented communities.

We believe that this partnership is an exciting and long-term way to do exactly that. We are very proud and pleased to be able to partner with Ҵýƽ School of Education to support future students.” -Mark Dickerson, president of the “Hooks” Jones Chapter

Established by an annonymous donor in 1987, this endowmentprovidesscholarship support to aSchool of Education student who agrees torendertutorial assistance for selected low-income high school students in the greater Denver area.

Centers & Initiatives

For being the smallest school on campus, we are extremely proud of ouroutreach and engagementinitiatives, many of which have campus-wide and communityinfluence.Learn more about our widespread impact!

  • - Aiming toward creating schools that are safer and more affirming of LGBTQ and gender-expansive youth, A Queer Endeavor seeks partnerships with educators and school communities to make unworkable the silence that historically has surrounded topics of gender and sexual diversity in education.
  • - The BUENO Center emphasizes advocacy and respect for culture and language and promotes social justice and a more equitable, diverse society through a wide range of research and preparation programs from GED to PhD.
  • - Guided by the belief that the democratic governance of public education is strengthened when policies are based on sound evidence, NEPC produces and disseminates high-quality, peer-reviewed research to inform education policy discussions.

Teachers of Color and Allies Summit

Launched in 2003, the Teachers of Color and Allies (TOCA) Summit is a daylong event that gathers education students, localeducators of color, and allies to provide collegial support, opportunities for networking and mentoring, and insights into best practices in education. Hosted by the School of Education in partnership with local school districts, the summit is held every fall.

Best Should Teach

The Best Should Teach Initiative celebrates excellence teaching and academic leadership. Each year Best Should Teach Gold and Silver Awards are presented to college and university faculty and public school teachers. Lindley and Marguerite Stiles, along with Ira and Ineva Baldwin established the initiative in 1996 to promulgate the message that “The Best Should Teach,” which is inscribed on the Education building.

Academics

If your heart feels closest to a particular field of study housed within the School of Education, you can choose support it directly. Learn about our manyProgram Areas! For more information and ways to give to each of these academic areas, contactMia Axon.

  • Curriculum & Instruction -C&I programs enrich understanding of the histories and foundations of knowledge, inquiry, learning, and pedagogy in teaching and in research of subject areas. Support one or more of the distinct areas of study:,, and(Research on Teaching & Teacher Education).
  • Educational Equity & Cultural Diversity - EECD explores school culture, language policies, and the social and political context of schooling. It is devoted to the critical examination of theory, practice, and policy in the education of culturally and linguistically diverse students and the education of exceptional children.
  • Educational Foundations, Policy & Practice - EFPP is devoted to the critical examination of the relationships among education, society, culture, and government, with special emphasis on problems of race, gender, sexual diversity, social class, and multiculturalism.
  • Learning Sciences & Human Development - LSHD takes an interdisciplinary approach to studying learning, teaching, and developmentin-school and out-of-school contexts. Our program is at the leading edge of explorations of issues of social justice, power, and culture in learning.
  • Research & Evaluation Methodology - REM focuses on research methodology with an eye toward influencing current and future education policy and practice. Particularly, our researchers study the effectiveness and impact of standardized testing in relation to teachers, schools and students.

Honoring Our Own

Our current, past, and emeritus faculty are very important to us. Many funds and endowments have been created in honor of our own. Explore the many ways you can thank a professor and acknowledge the important contributions they've made in the fields of education and in the lives of students and teachers.

To continue his legacy, Professor Anderson’s students, colleagues, and friends have establishedRonald D. Anderson Flatirons Fund or the Curriculum & Instruction Math & Science Education Programa Flatirons Fund. The annual benefit from this fund may be used for special math & scienceprogram needs such as science education doctoral student travel, an invited speaker, or a best paper prize. Named in honor of Professor Anderson, the use of these funds will create occasions to remember his work and the on-going work of his students.


Professor Leonard Baca is a leader in the field of Bilingual SpecialEducation. For almost 40 years, Dr. Baca served as Executive Director of the in the School of Education at Ҵýƽ.Hiscommitment to quality education for linguistically diverse populations continues to positively impact students at all stages of their learning. To continue his legacy, Professor Baca’s students, colleagues, and friendsestablished the Leonard Baca Scholarshipto supportcultural and linguistic minority students. The use of these funds will create occasions to remember Professor Baca’s work and principled commitments.

Professor Emerita Margaret Eisenharthas made multiple significant contributions to social and cultural theory, especially as applied to understanding women’s learning and participation in STEM fields, and to research methodology. To continue her legacy, Eisenhart’s former students, colleagues, and friendsestablished the Margaret A. Eisenhart Flatirons Fund for the Educational Foundations, Policy & Practice Program (EFPP)to remember her work and contributions to research on culture, identity, and equity.

Professor Roberta "Bobbie" Flexer has always been dedicated to mathematicseducation reform. For more than four decades her work has focused on helping elementary teachers overcome their own mathematics anxiety so that they could see, enjoy, and further the mathematics learning of even the youngest children. To continue her legacy, Flexer’s students, colleagues, and friendsestablished theRoberta Flexer Flatirons Fund for the Curriculum & Instruction Math & Science Education Program. The annual benefit may be used for special needs such asdoctoral student travel, an invited speaker, or a best paper prize.

GeneGlass is a Senior Researcher at the National Education Policy Center in the School of Education and is recognized nationallyfor his outstanding contributions to education policy and research. To continue hislegacy, Glass's students, colleagues, and friendsestablished theGene Glass Flatirons Fund for the Research & Evaluation Methodology (REM) Program. The annual benefit may be used for special needs such as REM doctoral student travel, an invited speaker, or a best paper prize.

Kenneth Hopkins dedicated his career as Professor to education methodology. He isrecognized nationallyfor his outstanding contributions to this field, and to continue hislegacy, Hopkin's students, colleagues, and friendsestablished theKenneth Hopkins Flatirons Fund for the Research & Evaluation Methodology(REM)Program The annual benefit may be used for special needs such as REM doctoral student travel, an invited speaker, or a best paper prize.

Professor EmeritusKen Howe has been at the forefront of research in philosophy and education policy for over four decades. Fittingly, he was recently named the recipient of the John Dewey Society’s Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award. To continue his legacy,Howe’s students, colleagues, and friends established the Kenneth R. Howe Flatirons Fund for the Educational Foundations, Policy & Practice (EFPP) Program.The annual benefit may be used for special needs such as EFPP doctoral student travel, an invited speaker, or a best paper prize.Support the Howe Fund

This fellowship honors Janette Kettmann Klingner, a beloved longtime Professor of Bilingual/Special Education. Klingner devoted her distinguished career to the field of bilingual special education and her name is recognized in the field as one of the premier researchers and advocates. The Kettmann family created this memorial fellowship in 2014 to support Educational Equity & Cultural Diversity (EECD) program doctoral candidates in the completion of their dissertations.

Professor Emeritus Richard Kraft is a teacher and teacher educator, an international scholar and educational ambassador, and an advocate for experiential education and service learning.His views on education were shaped by Dewey and Freire, so he has always lived by the principle that education is fundamental to democratic participation and is, at its heart, transformative. To continue his legacy, Kraft’s former students, colleagues, and friendsestablished theRichard J. Kraft Flatirons Fund for the Educational Foundations, Policy & Practice (EFPP) Program.The annual benefit may be used at the discretion of the program area for special needs such as an invited speaker, a special event, or a community-focused scholarship.

For more than 40 years, Robert L. Linn was an eminence without equal in the field of educational measurement. In addition to his extensive, highly technical work,Linn was also known for his sage, patient, and practical leadership in the world of testing policy.Additionally, Bob’s gentle nature and his gift forexplaining complex concepts to practitioners made himhighly sought after as an advisor and thought partner. Bob passed in 2016, but your gift to the Robert and Joyce LinnEndowment will ensure future young scholars can advance his legacy through the Robert L. Linn Memorial Lecture Award, given annually.The recipient, a mid-career scholar who best exemplifies insightful and interdisciplinary contributions to educational measurement and policy, willdeliver a lecture to faculty, students, and invited policy and practice leaders at convenings held alternately at the University of Colorado Boulder and at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Dean Emerita Lorrie Shepard returned to the School of Education faculty as Distinguished Professor after 15 years as dean and over 40 years invested in equity and excellence in education. To commemorate her remarkable tenure as dean,the Lorrie Shepard Endowed Fund in the School of Education was created inhonor of her contribution to education the field of Research & Evaluation Methodology.

Shelby Wolf spent twenty years as a professor in the CU Boudler School of Educationand was particularly dedicated to supporting and mentoring first generation university students through Literacy Studies.To honor her legacy, the Shelby Anne Wolf Flatirons Fund in the School of Education was created to supportprospective teachers who can effectively weave literature, drama and the arts in their future classrooms, as Shelby had envisioned. Shelby passed in 2013, but this endowment will help her spirit and love of the classroom live on for future generations.

Contact Us

Charitable gifts are investments in the futureand show the desire to make the School of Education an outstanding place to supportteachers of today and tomorrow.

For ways to help, please contact Micah Abram.