Bonnie Higginson’s legacy opens the world to Murray State students
Higginson's legacy opens the world to Murray State students through the Bonnie and Cliff Higginson Study Abroad Scholarship.
July 9, 2026
Murray State University alumna Bridgett Sentmore turns a calling to serve into a career protecting children
For Bridgett Sentmore, a career in law has never been about titles—it has always been about protecting those who need an advocate most.
June 30, 2026
Center for Communication Disorders receives special designation
Murray State University's Center for Communication Disorders has been designated as Kentucky's official SPEAK OUT! Therapy & Research Center by Parkinson Voice Project, positioning the University as a regional leader in speech therapy services, research and clinical education for individuals living with Parkinson's disease and Parkinson's Plus syndromes.
June 22, 2026
Coach Mark Brady Scholarship supports future educators
Two Murray High School graduates pursuing careers in education have been selected as recipients of the Coach Mark Brady Scholarship, a scholarship established to support local students as they prepare to become the next generation of teachers.
June 16, 2026
Dr. David Whaley recognized as a Kentucky Colonel
Dr. David Whaley, dean of the Murray State University College of Education and Human Services, was recognized as a Kentucky Colonel during the Murray State University Board of Regents meeting on June 12.
June 15, 2026
College of Education and Human Services faculty member pioneers interactive AI-powered graduate course
When Dr. Jessica Pryor, assistant professor in early childhood and elementary education, began redesigning her EDU 626 course for the spring semester
June 3, 2026
College of Education and Human Services faculty member Holly Bloodworth honored with Max Carman Award
Murray State University honored Holly Bloodworth, senior instructor in elementary education, with the 2026 Max Carman Outstanding Teacher Award during the University’s annual Senior Breakfast on April 22 in recognition of her exceptional commitment to preparing future educators and the lasting impact she has made on her students.
May 14, 2026
Dr. Stephanie Schaaf awarded inaugural Dr. Victor S. Raj Excellence in Academic Departmental Leadership Award
Murray State University announced that Dr. Stephanie Schaaf, department chair of the Center for Communication Disorders, received the inaugural Dr. Victor S. Raj Excellence in Academic Departmental Leadership Award
May 13, 2026
New Crime Victim Advocate Certificate launches through Department of Criminal Justice and Social Work
Murray State University’s College of Education and Human Services is preparing students to become compassionate, highly trained advocates for victims of crime through its interdisciplinary Crime Victim Advocate (CVA) Certificate program.
May 11, 2026
Dr. Brian Bourke named College of Education and Human Services 2026 Outstanding Creative Research and Activity Award recipient
Murray State University’s College of Education and Human Services (COEHS) has named Dr. Brian Bourke, professor of educational studies, leadership and counseling, as this year's recipient of the Outstanding Creative Research and Activity Award.
April 22, 2026
Students help provide life-changing communication device for local child
A collaborative effort between faculty and students in the Center for Communication Disorders (CDI) at Murray State University has helped provide a high-tech augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device to a local child
April 21, 2026
College of Education and Human Services student receives prestigious Beverly Stanley Scholarship for speech-language pathology
Murray State University student Piper Austin, a communication disorders (CDI) major from Evansville, Indiana, has been awarded the prestigious Beverly Stanley Scholarship
April 16, 2026
College of Education and Human Services names Megan Smetana 2026 Board of Regents Teaching Excellence Award recipient
Murray State University’s College of Education and Human Services has named Megan Smetana as the recipient of the 2026 Board of Regents Teaching Excellence Award
April 13, 2026
Center for Student Engagement and Success hosts First-Generation 5K to build community and promote student success
Murray State University’s Center for Student Engagement and Success hosted a First-Generation Student 5K event on March 28
April 6, 2026
College of Education and Human Services calls for nominations for outstanding educators ahead of annual Sparks Lecture
Murray State University’s College of Education and Human Services (COEHS) will host its annual Sparks Lecture on Tuesday, April 28 in the Alexander Hall Auditorium, room 240.
March 27, 2026
Graduate E. Josiah Kenty named 2026 Outstanding Young Alumnus
E. Josiah Kenty, a 2020 graduate of Murray State University with a degree in criminal justice, has been honored with the University’s 2026 Outstanding Young Alumni Award
March 25, 2026
College of Education and Human Services alumna recognized in America’s Favorite Teacher national competition
Sara Morgan, a 2025 elementary education alumna and graduate of Murray State University’s College of Education and Human Services, has been recognized on a national stage through a nomination for the America’s Favorite Teacher competition.
March 16, 2026
Professor Dr. Rebecca Pender-Baum receives Dr. Bill Braden Award
Dr. Rebecca Pender-Baum, an associate professor in counseling, has received the Dr. Bill Braden Award, the highest honor presented by the Kentucky Counseling Association (KCA).
March 10, 2026
College of Education and Human Services announces 41st annual Harry M. Sparks Distinguished Lecture Series
Murray State University’s College of Education and Human Services will host the 41st annual Harry M. Sparks Distinguished Lecture Series on Tuesday, April 28.
March 5, 2026
Murray State University partners with Kentucky Court Designated Workers to support juvenile diversion through mentoring course
Murray State University’s Criminal Justice program has launched a unique partnership with Kentucky Court Designated Workers (CDWs) to support youth participating in juvenile diversion through structured, supervised mentoring.
February 10, 2026
College of Education and Human Services honors Dr. Cindy Clemson with Outstanding Alumna Service Award
Murray State University’s College of Education and Human Services honored Dr. Cindy Clemson, a passionate educator, advocate and leader in special education, during its annual Homecoming Breakfast on Nov. 1.
November 3, 2025
Virtual Reality Lab for experiential learning in criminal justice and social work now open
Murray State University’s Criminal Justice and Social Work department has officially opened a new Virtual Reality (VR) Lab, providing students in these programs with an innovative, hands-on approach to learning
September 19, 2025
Alumna honored as Kentucky Department of Education award recipient
Murray State University College of Education and Human Services alumna Kara Dowdy has been named a recipient of the 2026 Kentucky Teacher Achievement Award.
September 2, 2025
President Dr. Ron Patterson visits Hopkinsville for Racer Spirit Listening and Learning Tour and signs two education partner agreements
The city of Hopkinsville was one of Murray State President Dr. Ron Patterson's tour stops as he has embarked on the Racer Spirit Listening and Learning Tour to engage and hear directly from multiple groups, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, community leaders,
August 21, 2025
Murray State University student selected for St. Jude clinical program
Murray State University’s Lydia White, a second-year speech-language pathology student from Murray, Kentucky, has been selected for the prestigious St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital clinical program.
August 20, 2025
Dr. Donna Crouch named Kentucky Association of Career and Technical Education’s Postsecondary Professional of the Year
Dr. Donna Crouch, director of Murray State University’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, is the recipient of the Postsecondary Professional of the Year award for the Kentucky Association of Career and Technical Education (KACTE).
August 7, 2025
College of Education and Human Services students help lead Racers to College World Series
The Murray State Baseball team made history during the 2024–2025 season with its first-ever appearance in the College World Series, and three students from the Murray State University College of Education and Human Services were right there on the field, helping lead the way
August 4, 2025
Teacher Quality Institute announces 2025-2026 Professional Development School cohort
The Teacher Quality Institute is proud to announce the 2025–2026 cohort of its Professional Development School (PDS) partnership
July 30, 2025
Peggy Whaley named Kentucky Colonel for outstanding service and leadership
Peggy Whaley, director of the Center for Student Engagement and Success, has been awarded the title of Kentucky Colonel—the highest honor bestowed by the Governor of Kentucky.
June 10, 2025
College of Education and Human Services launches inaugural Academic Advisor Academy
The College of Education and Human Services at Murray State University is pleased to announce the launch of its inaugural Academic Advisor Academy.
June 2, 2025
College of Education and Human Services student Anna McGreevy receives Outstanding Senior recognition
The College of Education and Human Services is proud to announce that Anna McGreevy, a communication disorders major from Louisville, Kentucky, has been named one of Murray State University’s Outstanding Seniors.
May 30, 2025
Three Distinguished Alumni honored from the College of Education and Human Services
Murray State University recognized three alumni from the College of Education and Human Services (COEHS) for their significant contributions at the local, state and national levels, during the Distinguished Alumni Dinner held Friday, April 11.
May 13, 2025
Senior Alex West named SHAPE America Health and Physical Education Major of the Year
Alex West, a Murray State University senior health and physical education (HPE) major from Evansville, Indiana, has been named the Health and Physical Education Major of the Year by the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America).
April 30, 2025
Dr. Peg Pittman-Munke announced as recipient of 2025 Dr. Steve Jones Faculty Excellence Award
Murray State University’s College of Education and Human Services is proud to announce Dr. Peg Pittman-Munke, social work program director, as the recipient of this year’s Dr. Steve Jones Faculty Excellence Award.
April 16, 2025
Dr. Chanel Schwenck named “Best Faculty Member” in The Murray State News’ “Best of” survey
Schwenck serves as interim chair of the Department of Early Childhood and Elementary Education
April 11, 2025
Dr. Nikki Gaylord named Board of Regents Teaching Award recipient
Murray State University’s College of Education and Human Services (COEHS) is proud to announce Dr. Nikki Gaylord as the recipient of this year’s Board of Regents Teaching Award.
March 14, 2025
Parkinson’s Voice Project grant supports Murray State University’s Center for Communication Disorders in enhancing speech therapy for Parkinson’s patients
Murray State University’s Center for Communication Disorders (CDI) department received the Parkinson’s Voice Project grant, which is designed to help individuals with Parkinson’s and other related neurological disorders.
March 13, 2025
College of Education and Human Services announces 40th annual Harry M. Sparks Distinguished Lecture Series
Dr. Aaron Thompson, president of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, will deliver the keynote speech
March 7, 2025
College of Education and Human Services calls for nominations for outstanding educators ahead of annual Sparks Lecture
Murray State University’s College of Education and Human Services will host its annual Sparks Lecture on Tuesday, April 29 in the Alexander Hall auditorium, room 240
February 25, 2025
Carleigh O'Neill becomes first recipient of new Working with Diverse Student Populations certificate at Murray State University
Carleigh O’Neill, a fall 2024 elementary education graduate from Carlisle County, Kentucky, is the first recipient of the Working with Diverse Student Populations certificate.
February 17, 2025
Madisyn Ransey and Katelyn Gardner receive 2024 Kentucky Education Association’s Read Across America grant
Madisyn Ransey, a recent Murray State University elementary education graduate from Murray, Kentucky, and Katelyn Gardner, a junior middle school education major from Erlanger, Kentucky, are the recipients of the 2024 Kentucky Education Association’s (KEA) Read Across America grant.
January 27, 2025
Dr. Rebecca Pender Baum honored with Tim Robertson Advocacy Award
Dr. Rebecca Pender Baum, professor in the Educational Studies, Leadership and Counseling Department at Murray State University, has been named the recipient of the 2024 Tim Robertson Advocacy Award by the Kentucky Counseling Association.
December 17, 2024
Ed Rising empowers the next generation of educators at the Teacher Quality Institute’s annual event
The Teacher Quality Institute (TQI) proudly hosted Ed Rising, a career exploration and competition event designed to inspire and prepare high school students for future careers in education on Thursday, Nov. 14
December 11, 2024
Senior Sara Morgan selected for Best Buddies International Young Leaders Council
Sara Morgan, a senior elementary education major from Louisville, Kentucky, has been selected to serve a two-year term on the Best Buddies International Young Leaders Council (YLC).
December 2, 2024
College of Education and Human Services’ Terri Grief receives James A. Nelson Advocacy Award
Terri Grief, library media instructor and program coordinator in the College of Education and Human Services at Murray State University, has been awarded the James A. Nelson Advocacy Award,
November 20, 2024
MSU’s Eliza Kho named 2024 Outstanding Graduate Student Award recipient by Kentucky Counseling Association
Eliza Kho, a second-year clinical mental health counseling graduate student at Murray State University, has been named the 2024 Outstanding Graduate Student Award recipient by the Kentucky Counseling Association (KCA).
November 11, 2024
Health and Physical Education Program hosts running clinic with Dr. Mackenzie Jones
The Murray State University’s Health and Physical Education (HPE) program within the College of Education and Human Services hosted Dr. Mackenzie Jones from SoledOut Performance and Physical Therapy on Oct. 14.
October 24, 2024
Health and Physical Education program hosts fourth iteration of Healthy Horseplay event
The Murray State University Health and Physical Education (HPE) program hosted its fourth iteration of the Healthy Horseplay event on Monday, Oct. 7.
October 21, 2024
Lifelong educator Dr. Robert Lyons receives Murray State University’s College of Education and Human Services Outstanding Alumnus Service Award
Murray State University’s College of Education and Human Services honored educator Dr. Robert Lyons at its annual Homecoming Breakfast on Saturday, Oct. 19.
October 21, 2024
Graduate student Nia Jaco wins the University’s fifth consecutive Jennie S. Ewald Award for school psychology
Nia Jaco, a second-year school psychology graduate student from Paris, Tennessee, received the Jennie S. Ewald Award on Sept. 24 at the Kentucky Association for Psychology in Schools (KAPS) event in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
October 18, 2024
Senior Andriah Hawthorne chosen for prestigious ASHA Minority Student Leadership Program
Andriah Hawthorne, a senior communication disorders student from Paducah, Kentucky, has been chosen as one of 40 participants in this year’s American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Minority Student Leadership Program in Seattle, Washington.
October 14, 2024