Loyola School of Education graduates celebrating at commencement

2023 Distinguished Alumni

On Thursday, October 26th, Loyola School of Education held the annual Distinguished Alumni Awards. It was an evening of celebration as we recognize the contributions and success of our distinguished and dedicated alumni. The School of Education has a long tradition of honoring our graduates who are achieving remarkable success in addressing social inequalities in both their local and global communities.

We are excited to announce the 2023 School of Education Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients. Please join us in congratulating these recipients for their many achievements and contributions to our community and beyond.

The Dean's Distinguished Alumni Award

Ayanna Williams, MEd

Ayanna Williams, MEd '17, a graduate of the Higher Education program, has excelled in promoting access, equity, and social justice in post-secondary education. Her passion for music has shaped much of her career, leading her to found The Yanna Cello Foundation, which aims to heal Chicago through music. Her benefit concert, "Tip An Artist, Tip A Cause," funded music lessons for eleven single-parent households. This success led to numerous performance requests, allowing her to share her musical expertise. With skills gained at Loyola, Williams continues to advocate for quality music education, embodying professional excellence and service.

Teaching and Learning Distinguished Alumni Award

Anna Lees, EdD

Anna Lees, EdD '15, a graduate of the Teaching and Learning program, has excelled as an educator and researcher. Specializing in early childhood education, Lees is now an Associate Professor and Program Director at Western Washington University. Her work with Indigenous communities has led to over a dozen publications. She has earned numerous accolades, including the 2018 Distinguished Article of the Year and the 2022 Carl Grant Multicultural Research Award. Since 2015, Lees has exemplified Loyola's Jesuit values, collaborating with colleagues and developing innovative solutions in education.

School Psychology Distinguished Alumni Award

Laura Swanlund, PhD

Laura Swanlund, PhD '10 and MEd '04, a graduate of the School Psychology program, has built an impressive career in psychological practice. As Director of Comprehensive Mental Health at School District #15 in Palatine, IL, she oversees mental health services and supports the district’s behavioral health team. Swanlund also serves as an adjunct professor at Loyola, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, and National Louis University. Her dedication to school psychology and mental health has made her a leader in the field. With a commitment to service, she embodies the professional excellence of a true Rambler.

Administration and Supervision Distinguished Alumni Award

Nicholas Polyak, EdD

Nicholas Polyak, EdD '07, a graduate of the Administration and Supervision program, has excelled as a leader in education. Serving as Superintendent for Leyden Community High School District since 2013, Polyak has helped the district earn numerous honors, including being named the 2014 National Advanced Placement District of the Year. He has held several key roles, including Dean of Students, Assistant Principal, and Director of Instruction. Passionate about community involvement, Polyak has served as President of two Chambers of Commerce and contributed to various local initiatives. He embodies Jesuit values through his leadership and active community engagement.

Research Methodology Distinguished Alumni Award

Kelly Zhao, PhD

Kelly Zhao, PhD '17, a graduate of the Research Methodology program, has excelled as a researcher, using data to drive meaningful change. During her time at Loyola, she authored an impressive dissertation, showcasing her research skills. Zhao’s career has flourished, from Senior Research Associate at John G. Shedd Aquarium to Lead Senior Psychometrician at PSI Services LLC within five years. Despite her busy role, she continues to contribute to meta-analysis research, collaborating with Loyola faculty. Zhao embodies Jesuit values, applying innovation and curiosity to create lasting solutions in her field.

Counseling Psychology Distinguished Alumni Award

Kimberly Hook, PhD

Kimberly Hook, PhD '18, a graduate of the Counseling Psychology program, has built a justice-driven career focused on health equity. After nearly five years as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital, she was promoted to Research Scientist at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Hook has secured $3 million in federal grants for her work on preventing substance abuse, HIV, and mental illness in Ukraine, Kenya, and Ethiopia. She has also published over 20 manuscripts. Dedicated to a more just society, Hook’s career embodies Jesuit values of service and social justice.