Schenkel recognized as promising education scholar by alma mater

Kathleen Schenkel of San Diego State University’s School of Teacher Education has been honored by the University of Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) with its alumni award for education research.

Schenkel, who has been promoted to associate professor effective the Fall 2025 semester, was named the 2025 recipient of the Michael Pressley Award for a Promising Scholar in the Education Field. The honor is given annually by ACE, which forms transformational teachers as part of its mission to strengthen K-12 Catholic Schools. An alumna of Notre Dame, Schenkel taught middle school science in New Orleans as an ACE Teaching Fellow. 

At SDSU, her research centers on ensuring all students are able to see themselves and their communities reflected in science instruction.

“I am so grateful to receive this honor from the University of Notre Dame,” Schenkel said. “It is a reflection of the multiple communities that I have had the opportunity to learn with throughout my career. My experiences teaching through the ACE program motivate me to continue to partner with students, schools and community members to work towards action-oriented science education that supports community thriving.”

ACE recently profiled Schenkel and her work as part of its 2025 Michael Pressley Award announcement. You can also learn more about her research in Episode 13 of the COE Connections Podcast.