TWO SENIORS FROM SALISBURY UNIVERSITY NAMED NASUP EMERGING SUP LEADER AWARD WINNERS
Salisbury, MD - Two seniors from Salisbury University (SU), Emily Ellis of Sykesville, MD, and Claudia Reynolds of Elkton, MD, have been recognized as 2025 Emerging School-University Partnership (SUP) leaders by the National Association for School-University Partnerships (NASUP).
This award was presented at a recent NASUP conference held in New Orleans, marking the first time that two students from the same university have received this honor in the same year.
Ellis and Reynolds, students in the Samuel W. and Marilyn C. Seidel School of Education at SU, have been serving as student support coordinators in Dean Laurie Henry's office since January 2023. Their responsibilities include liaising with faculty, staff, faculty candidates, university leaders, prospective students and their families, school and district leaders, donors, and nationally recognized guest speakers.
The duo has played a crucial role in guiding prospective education students by providing them with valuable insights to help them determine if the Seidel School is the right fit. This involved answering questions via phone calls and emails, as well as participating in open houses and admitted student days. They continued to support these students even after they enrolled and began their studies at SU.
In addition to their roles as student support coordinators, Ellis and Reynolds have made a significant impact in the classroom, both at SU and in their partner schools. Ellis has been praised for her natural talent and dedication by Antionette Perry, the principal of West Salisbury Elementary. Likewise, Reynolds has garnered admiration from Kimberly Pinhey, the principal of North Salisbury School, for her vibrant personality and passion for education.
Ellis and Reynolds' recognition as Emerging SUP leaders is particularly noteworthy, as they are the third and fourth recipients from SU, following Emma Reider in 2021 and Shelby Ennis in 2018. This achievement reflects their exceptional teamwork throughout their journey.
The NASUP is a leading national organization that supports collaboration between schools and universities, advocating for the continuous development of relationships between PreK-12 institutions and higher education.
The Maryland State Department of Education mandates that all student teaching internships occur in professional development school (PDS) sites, emphasizing the importance of supportive partnerships between higher education and public schools in providing high-quality clinical experiences for future teachers.
SU proudly maintains a network of 43 PDS sites across seven districts, demonstrating its commitment to fostering these valuable partnerships.
