Congratulations to the recipients of the Neag School of Education Alumni Board Scholarship for 2024:

• John Burrell – a doctoral student in giftedness, creativity, and talent development;
• Joshua Sukumar – a doctoral student in research methods, measurement, and evaluation; and
• Damiao Zoe Xu – a doctoral student in learning, leadership and education policy

The Alumni Board Scholarship provides a $1,500 annual award to students enrolled in a Neag School master’s, doctorate, or sixth-year program who have proven academic excellence or demonstrated financial need.

Educator Manages ADHD, Excels with Neag Scholarship

John Burrell, an educator for nearly ten years, recalls being in math class during high school and telling himself, “You need to focus if you are ever going to get this.” He would take out his notebook, find an open page, and write the date.

“A pit formed in my stomach as I dreaded having to show my teacher my half-done homework,” he recalls.

When the class began, Burrell would copy what the teacher wrote on the board, but soon, the familiar experience of wondering how she got from step four to step five, realizing that he had zoned out, occurred. Instances like this punctuated his education career, and this past year, he was diagnosed with ADHD.

“Over my adult life, I have learned to adapt to my condition with time, checklists, and planners,” he says. “Despite challenges associated with ADHD, I have found academic success in my doctoral program, possessing a 4.0 GPA.”

Before coming to UConn, Burrell worked with twice-exceptional students – those who are gifted and have a learning or developmental disability – and frequently encountered the work of Neag School experts Joe Renzulli, Sally Reis, and Del Siegle. At UConn, Burrell is currently working with the same faculty as a research assistant on Project EAGLE, a $2.9 million project developing a dynamic approach to equitably identifying gifted English Learners.

A doctoral student who is passionate about helping others like him, Burrell is seeking to study the efficacy of study skills instruction and will soon begin the dissertation portion of his program.

“The Neag School Alumni Board Scholarship will give me the financial freedom to work fewer hours, allowing me more time and energy for my research,” he says. “The Alumni Board’s commendation is meaningful because of the wide impact of Neag alumni throughout Connecticut.”

Ph.D. Student Selects Ethical Direction Over Financial Gains

After obtaining a master’s degree in applied statistics, Joshua Sukumar discovered the influence of data science in corporate settings, where financial gain overshadowed ethical considerations.

Faced with a project that prioritized profit above all, Sukumar reached a pivotal moment. He needed to decide between pursuing data science for financial betterment or societal improvement. He chose the latter, aligning his career with his values.

Sukumar became a statistics instructor and now, as a doctoral student and graduate assistant at the Neag School, he focuses on the intersection of data science, artificial intelligence, and education. He employs methodologically rooted data science, machine learning, and statistical techniques to enhance educational data.

“This journey solidified my commitment to enhancing educational data analysis while highlighting the untapped potential of AI in education,” he says.

When one of his previous funding sources dried up, he proactively responded by submitting dozens of internship applications while juggling multiple classes and research projects. Navigating the financial hurdles has left him undeterred.

“My commitment transcends the challenges I encounter,” he says. “It’s driven by a deep-seated desire to lay a foundation for the success of future generations while ensuring that advancements in education are accessible and beneficial to everyone.”

“This scholarship will allow me to focus more on my coursework and research as it alleviates significant financial burden,” he says. “This support means a lot. Knowing that people in my corner understand and support my journey is incredibly encouraging.”

International Doctoral Student Overcomes Challenges

Resigning from her full-time job as an online learning specialist and relocating to the U.S. to join her husband, who was pursuing his doctorate, Damiao Zoe Xu marked a new chapter in her journey as a lifelong learner by enrolling as a doctoral student at the Neag School.

Despite financial challenges, including being an international student, paying out-of-state tuition, and being a new mother, she remained steadfast in pursuing her doctorate in adult learning.

“Lifelong learning should be accessible and manageable to all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances,” Xu says.

Embracing this belief, she has dedicated her dissertation to supporting online adult students in higher education, ensuring their success in pursuing further learning.

Xu envisions a future career dedicated to optimizing online learning for a diverse student population.

Xu currently works as a graduate assistant for UConn’s Center for Career Development, where she organizes and manages career-related programs for graduate students. In that role, she has developed online learning modules and writes blog posts featuring doctoral students.

“Receiving the Neag School Alumni Board Scholarship is profoundly meaningful to me,” she says. “It means a validation of the journey and challenges I’ve faced – not only for myself as a mid-age minority graduate student and a mother who has left her home country and career to pursue graduate studies but also for others who share similar paths.”

“I am deeply grateful for this recognition from the Alumni Board, which acknowledges my academic progress and personal growth over the years,” Xu says.

Alumni Board Scholarship recipients John Burrell, Joshua Sukumar, and Damiao Zoe Xu will be formally recognized at the 2025 Neag School Alumni Awards Celebration, taking place in spring 2025. For more information about supporting Neag School students, visit s.uconn.edu/neaggiving.