Peabody People

by Jenna Somers Jessika Boles After consulting with the palliative care team, Jessika Boles, MEd’08, found herself speaking with a mother about honoring her daughter’s legacy. “One of the ways we can do that is through handprint art, since handprints and fingerprints are unique to each person. Would you… Read More

Sharon Shields, Distinguished Alumna, Peabody College Doctor of Education Degree Ceremony at the Peabody Esplanade on May 09, 2025. (Photo by Joe Howell/Vanderbilt University) Sharon Shields and Camilla Benbow, Peabody College Doctor of Education Degree Ceremony at the Peabody Esplanade… Read More

By Jenna Somers Alex Astrella At age two Alex Astrella, MEd’23, was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. His parents were told that he had little chance of graduating high school or becoming financially independent. Today, Astrella is the founder and CEO of Blu Star Productions, an award-winning film studio… Read More

Aneesh Sohoni Aneesh Sohoni, MPP’13, will become chief executive officer of Teach for America beginning April 15. Sohoni has held several education leadership positions of increasing responsibility since earning his master of public policy in education policy at Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development. Read More

Andrew Roth, CEO of dcdx How should brands attract Gen Z, a generation notoriously unmoved by marketing tactics? That question is foundational to dcdx, the global research and strategy firm whose success in helping companies market to Gen Z landed Andrew Roth, BS’21, on the 2025 Forbes… Read More

Camilla P. Benbow has been reappointed as dean of Peabody College of education and human development for a final three-year term, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs C. Cybele Raver announced today. Benbow, who is Patricia and Rodes Hart Dean of Education and Human Development, plans to retire at the end of her 30-year deanship on June 30, 2028, which will make her the longest serving dean in Peabody College history.   Read More

Kristen McMaster Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development will bestow its 2024 Distinguished Alumna Award on special education and literacy researcher Kristen L. McMaster during Commencement ceremonies on May 10. A Triple ’Dore, McMaster earned her bachelor of science in 1995, master of education in 1998,… Read More

WATCH: See how Ph.D. candidate Rachel Hanebutt is empowering young people take control of their social media presence and habits, creating digital flourishing. Read More

Mohamed Abdel-Kader, MEd'04, is the chief innovation officer and executive director of the Innovation, Technology and Research Hub at the multi-billion-dollar U.S. Agency for International Development, where he enjoys solving real problems creatively while making the most of U.S. aid. Read More

WATCH: See how Cambri Driskell turned personal challenges into motivation and empathy to help others. Read More

Mason Richards, BS'97, continues his quest to turn 'The Seawall' into a feature film. Read More

Couple endows directorship of Peabody's Center for Science Outreach at Peabody Read More

Shaiza Rizavi (second from left) with her family, from left to right: Kira, Nicholas, Anna, Jon and Daniel Friedland Transformative Lens The new Rizavi–Friedland Chair will attract and retain star faculty leaders For Shaiza Rizavi, a money manager and managing member of the New York-based brokerage… Read More

Ecclesiastes, left, and Ramsey are working together to rejuvenate and transform a long-neglected, 25-block corridor that stands in the shadow of an elevated expressway constructed more than 50 years ago. Photo by Greg Miles Neighborhood Rebirth When Nyree Ramsey visited New Orleans in 1995, three words… Read More