Over 150 graduate and undergraduate students attended Arcadia’s School of Education’s (SOE) first ED NIGHT on Nov. 14. Students connected with peers across programs at the undergraduate, master, and doctorate levels within SOE, as well as with education alumni and professional organizations.

The event featured networking sessions and panels from 15 alumni in education fields, where they shared their stories with students, answered their questions, and provided advice.

“It was nice to be able to help out and give some of the guidance I wish I had,” said Madeline Robinson ’18, SOE alumna who is now a Social Studies teacher at Abington Junior High School. 

Along with alumni, ED NIGHT also hosted representatives from four local professional organizations: First UP, which empowers early childhood educators; PDK International Chapter 19, an association that supports and connects educators; Need in Deed, which helps provide local students with service learning opportunities; and Read by 4th, an effort organized by the Free Library of Philadelphia to ensure all students entering the fourth grade are at an on-grade reading level. 

“I think one big takeaway of tonight is that networking is key and that you shouldn’t underestimate the value of thank yous,” said Education Studies major Anna Spaschak ’21. “Also, it was great to network with the presenters beforehand. That made it easier to connect to them during their panels and made them more approachable for questions.”

Participating students weren’t just connected with external resources, but also were provided resources by campus organizations: Counseling Services, Office of Career Education, Enrollment Management, SOE’s Curriculum Lab, School of Education Club, and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.

“The event was an unbelievable success,” said Lorraine Brandenburger, administrative director of SOE. “It really allows us to come together and engage as a community. Students get to connect with students who are all at different points in their journey, who are on different paths, so they can gain community support and learn from each other’s experiences. We were also able to bring in professional external organizations in the education field to provide students and alumni the opportunity to connect with them.”