News

Veronica Lada

Student Spotlight: Veronica Lada

Oct 27, 2026

Veronica Lada is a junior in Economics at Lehigh with a unique vision: to become an actuary who not only calculates risk but actively connects people and elevates underrepresented voices in the business world. Her deep curiosity recently led her to enroll in a learning sciences course—a field she finds incredibly applicable to everyday life. Recognizing that communication and teaching are vital daily skills, from personal storytelling to academic assignments, she wanted to immerse herself in educational research. By studying innovative practices in education, Veronica hopes to see a future where teaching is highly accommodating to diverse perspectives. She believes that learning possesses the profound potential to be a collaborative, deeply human experience rather than a purely transactional one.

middle school students in classroom
  • Special Education

How Tech Can Help or Harm Instruction for English Learners With Disabilities

Oct 23, 2026

From Chromebooks to AI-driven platforms in classrooms, technology plays a big — and often controversial — role in students’ lives. Tech’s capacity to help or distract from student learning was a key discussion point in a recent Education Week webinar on practical strategies district and school leaders and teachers should consider in supporting English learners with disabilities. Sara Kangas, associate professor and program director of the COE's special education program and webinar panelist, suggested teachers consider whether the technology being used is hurting or helping peer-to-peer interactions among English learners with disabilities.

Michael Ackert

Student Spotlight: Michael Ackeret

Oct 8, 2026

Michael Ackeret is a master’s student in the COE's Mental Health Counseling program with a deep commitment to serving marginalized and underserved populations. Driven by a passion for social justice in healthcare, his clinical focus spans trauma-informed care, suicide prevention, support for older adults, and LGBTQIA+ mental health.

Molly Ruiz
  • Special Education

Student Spotlight: Molly Ruiz

Oct 1, 2026

For Molly Ruiz, pursuing a doctorate at Lehigh University is both a major professional milestone and a return to her roots. Originally from the Lehigh Valley and currently residing in Central Pennsylvania, Ruiz is a part-time student in the Special Education Ph.D. program, balancing graduate studies with her professional life.