Ignatius Loyola Medal:

Kate McGrady, a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Graduate student has been named the 2024 Ignatius Loyola Medal recipient. The award recognizes one undergraduate and one graduate student across the entire university who has harnessed their student experience to most enable social and intellectual growth throughout their academic journey, and who has truly exemplified the spirit of a Catholic, Jesuit education.

McGrady was recognized at the April 29^th Student Achievement Awards in the Dolan School of Business event hall and received a medal during the 2024 Graduate Commencement Ceremony. The School of Education and Human Development is extremely proud of this recognition.

Alpha Sigma Nu Graduate Teacher of the Year:

Annually, the Fairfield University chapter of Alpha Sigma Nu honors two faculty members with Teacher of the Year awards — one undergraduate and one graduate — for their dedication to the teaching profession and for their support of students. This year's Teacher of the Year awards ceremony took place on May 16 at Alumni House.

Dilani Perera, PhD, department chair and professor of the counselor education department in the School of Education and Human Development, was recognized as the graduate Alpha Sigma Nu Teacher of the Year.

Interim Dean of the School of Education and Human Development Evelyn Bilias Lolis, PhD, commended Dr. Perera at the ceremony for having a “relentless commitment to her students, a reverence for the field of clinical mental health, and a dedication to preparing mental health clinicians with the highest caliber of professionalism, ethics, and sensitivity to the needs of a complex society.” 

“I felt humbled and honored that a student took time out of their busy schedule to nominate me,” said Dr. Perera.