Gene Koshinski and Tim Broscious, UD Faculty Artists in Residence with their group Quey Percussion Duo, recently returned from a two-week tour in Europe from Sept. 8-19, 2025. The tour included five prestigious arts universities in Essen, Germany (Folkwang University of the Arts), Dortmund, Germany (Orchesterzentrum NRW), Amsterdam, the Netherlands (Conservatorium van Amsterdam), Ingesund, Sweden (Karlstad University), and Oslo, Norway (Norwegian Academy of Music). Each stop on the tour included a workshop, masterclass and a full concert presentation.  

Sheng Lu, professor and director of graduate studies in the Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies, served as a panelist for the session on textile and apparel nearshoring at the 16th Sourcing Journal Fall Summit on Sept. 25, 2025, in New York City. The event was attended by more than 200 executives from leading U.S. fashion companies. 

Stephanie Smith Budhai, associate professor in CEHD’s School of Education, facilitated a professional development workshop for the Delaware Superintendent Study Council and Delaware Secretary of Education Cindy Marten on "Cultivating AI Criticality in K-12 Schools" in September 2025.

Honors

Stephanie Smith Budhai, associate professor in CEHD’s School of Education, was selected to participate in the National Technology Leadership Summit on Sept. 19-20 in Washington, D.C. The National Technology Leadership Summit brings together national leaders from educational associations, as well as editors of educational technology journals, directors of nonprofit foundations, federal policy makers and corporate representatives, with the goal of accelerating the meaningful impact of digital technologies in education. Smith Budhai specializes in educational technology, equity and civic engagement. 

Yubin Jang, a Ph.D. in education and social policy student in UD’s Graduate College, has been selected as a 2025-2027 University Council for Educational Administration Jackson Scholar. The prestigious Jackson Scholars Network supports students of color in educational leadership and policy, providing mentoring, professional development and community to prepare the next generation of scholars. Jang is advised by School of Education Associate Professor Lauren Bailes, and her research interests include principal leadership, educational policies, professional development and school environments.

Appointments

Karen Asenavage Loptes, director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UD, has been appointed to the inaugural Osher National Resource Center (NRC) Advisory Council for a three-year term. Highly respected within the Osher Network, Loptes brings her valuable UD OLLI perspective, insight and guiding voice to the council as it leads the 124-member Osher Network. OLLI, a unit of the UD Division of Professional and Continuing Studies, is an academic learning cooperative open to adults ages 50-plus to take and teach classes together. Course offerings are determined by member interest as well as the passions and expertise of the dedicated volunteer member-instructors at each program’s location, with no grades, exams or educational prerequisites. UD OLLI is one of the earliest and largest lifelong learning organizations in the country, with programs in Dover, Lewes, Ocean View, Wilmington and online.

Sanford Student, assistant professor in CEHD’s School of Education, was named to the Maryland State Department of Education Technical Advisory Committee and California's Desired Results Developmental Profile Technical Advisory Committee.

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