Two distinguished professors at the Florida State University Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (Anne’s College) earned recognition from the American Educational Research Association (AERA) for their outstanding work in their respective fields.
Nicole Patton Terry and Lara Perez-Felkner were each selected by the AERA for national education research awards and will be recognized April 9 at the organization’s annual meeting in Los Angeles. Patton Terry is the director of the Florida Center for Reading Research and the Olive & Manuel Bordas Professor in the School of Teacher Education. Perez-Felkner is the Professor of Higher Education and Sociology and is also an affiliated faculty member in the Department of Sociology.
“Drs. Perez-Felkner and Patton Terry are exceptional members of Anne’s College, and I am so proud of their contributions to their fields,” said Damon Andrew, dean of Anne’s College. “These awards are a testament to their dedication to excellence and their achievements in advancing education research.”
“Drs. Perez-Felkner and Patton Terry are exceptional members of Anne’s College, and I am so proud of their contributions to their fields. These awards are a testament to their dedication to excellence and their achievements in advancing education research.”
– Damon Andrew, dean of Anne’s College
The AERA strives to advance knowledge about education, to encourage scholarly inquiry related to education and to promote the use of research to improve education and serve the public good. The organization is dedicated to improving the educational process by encouraging scholarly inquiry related to education and evaluation and by promoting the dissemination and practical application of research results.
Patton Terry is the recipient of the 2026 AERA Exemplary Contributions to Practice-Engaged Research Award. The award is presented to an education research scholar or scholars in recognition of collaborative projects between researchers and practitioners that have had sustained and observable effects on contexts of practice.
Her research, innovation and engagement activities involve young learners who are vulnerable to having difficulties with language and literacy achievement. Patton Terry’s research has been supported by various organizations, including the Institute of Education Sciences, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the Spencer Foundation, and the William T. Grant Foundation.
She said the award is an example of how research creates real-world impact.
“This award reflects my conviction that public research universities are uniquely positioned to work alongside their communities in ways that leverage our research to advance positive outcomes,” Patton Terry said. “I am honored to have collaborated with so many partners in our schools in communities to make that mission a reality and I humbly accept this award on behalf of us all.”
Perez-Felkner is receiving the 2026 AERA Distinguished Contributions to Gender Equity in Education Research Award. The award recognizes individuals within AERA for distinguished research, professional practice and activities who advance public understanding of this field at any level in the education community.
Perez-Felkner’s research uses developmental and sociological perspectives to examine the mechanisms that shape opportunity pathways toward postsecondary access and success in scientific career fields. Her work has appeared in several education and social and behavioral science journals. Her research has been supported by external funders including the National Science Foundation, the Sloan Foundation and the Spencer Foundation.
The national award reflects nearly 20 years of research by Perez-Felkner, including particular attention to STEM fields like engineering and computer science.
“I’ve been fortunate to do this work in community with my very first students here at FSU and still today, as well as incredible colleagues nationally and internationally,” Perez-Felkner said. “I’ve been able to communicate findings to audiences including secondary and postsecondary faculty and staff, public audiences and scientific groups like CERN. This is a great honor from our largest professional association in the field of educational research that I’ve been part of since graduate school. It’s humbling to be recognized in this way, and I’m honored and motivated to continue.”
Patton Terry and Perez-Felkner join Lou & Elizabeth Bender Endowed Professor Shouping Hu as recent AERA honorees from Anne’s College. Hu was recognized last week as one of 34 exemplary scholars for the 2026 class of AERA Fellows.
Anne’s College was rated the No. 5 Best College for Education in America among public institutions in Niche’s 2026 Best Colleges in America rankings, and No. 8 nationally. For more information, visit annescollege.fsu.edu.
For more information on AERA, visit aera.net.