GSEHD Commencement
The Graduate School of Education and Human Development
2024 Commencement Celebration
Thank you to everyone that joined us in celebrating the Class of 2024. Review event recording and program below.
Schedule of Events
GSEHD School Celebration
& Doctoral Hooding
Saturday, May 18, 2024
8:30 a.m. EDT
Charles E. Smith Center
Graduates will receive 8 guest tickets.
GW Commencement
Sunday, May 19, 2024
10:30 a.m. EDT
National Mall
Graduates will receive 6 guest tickets.
Unable to attend?
- GSEHD events will be live-streamed on this page.
- Commencement on the National Mall will be live-streamed via web and social media on the day of the event.
- Following the events, video recordings will be posted on this page or the Commencement website.
Watch the recording of the GSEHD School Celebration
2024 GSEHD Keynote Speaker
Dr. Richmond Hill (EdD '20)
Dr. Richmond Hill is the Provost of the Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) Woodbridge Campus. Prior to his current role, he was the Associate Vice President of Student Support Services at NOVA, where he oversaw the offices of Access and Accommodations; Wellness and Mental Health; Financial Stability and Advocacy; Title IX; Financial Aid; and Veteran and Military Services. He previously served as a counselor, high school outreach coordinator, retention counselor, and coordinator of Student Success on the NOVA-Woodbridge Campus.
- Read More About Dr. Hill
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Dr. Hill’s passion for mental health and student success has been the driving force throughout his career. He served as Supervisor of Secondary Counseling and Student Support Services at Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) where he also held roles as a school counselor, director of school counseling, and GED program administrator.
A 22-year resident of northern Virginia, Dr. Hill is a graduate of the 2023 Leadership Prince William class and has served as past-president of the Prince William Regional Counseling Association. He has also served as a member of the PWCS Career and Technical Advisory Council, PWCS Growing our Own Advisory Council, PWCS Safe Schools Advisory Council, the Greater Prince William Trauma-Informed Care Network and The Good News Community Kitchen Scholarship Committee. At the state level, he has served on the advisory board of Project Hope-Virginia, a program that ensures the enrollment, attendance and school success of children and youth experiencing homelessness.
He has also developed and implemented several successful mentoring and leadership development programs designed to foster personal, social, and academic development for young men of color.
He has been honored with the Prince William County Healthy Communities, Healthy Youth Local Hero Award; the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.’s Minerva Community Service Award; Xi Alpha Lambda Chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.’s Man of the Year Award; and as Counselor of the Year by both the Prince William Regional Counseling Association and the Virginia School Counseling Association. He also received the Prince William County Human Rights Commission Award.
Dr. Hill is a thought leader, consultant, trainer, and researcher in the areas of diversity, mental health, teacher evaluation, student retention, and educational access. He continues to make significant contributions to his community through volunteerism in service and professional organizations.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degree in counselor education from North Carolina State University and his doctoral degree in higher education administration from the George Washington University (’20).
2024 GSEHD Graduation Student Speaker
Leyla Hamidova
Leyla is a 2024 graduation of the Masters of Education and Human Development, Individualized Program. She earned her degree through a partnership between GSEHD and the Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University (ASPU), taking classes from GSEHD instructors at ASPU in Baku, Azerbaijan. Leyla started her career in business but pivoted to education to pursue her passion of using education to improve lives.
2024 Dean's Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award
Dr. Amy Pleet-Odle (EdD Special Education '00)
Dr. Amy Pleet-Odle is the founder of Joyful Inclusion, a systemic approach to updating inclusive practices in schools to increase teacher satisfaction, build partnerships with families and improve student outcomes. Her consulting company, Inclusion Focused Coaching, LLC, combines online school-wide professional development packages for faculty and on-site support by her Inclusion Coaching team. She draws on 50+ years of experience as an English teacher, special educator, transition specialist (local and state), university professor, empowerment coach, author, speaker, and parent to integrate cutting-edge, evidence-based practices into practical strategies.
2024 Dean's Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award
Dr. Andrew M. Goretsky (EdD Higher Education Administration '16)
Andrew M. Goretsky, Ed.D. is the Regional Director for the Anti-Defamation Leauge’s (ADL) Philadelphia office, serving Eastern PA, Southern NJ, and DE. ADL is a leading anti-hate organization with a more than 100-year-old mission to “Fight the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure Justice and Fair Treatment to All.” Prior to joining ADL in 2022, he worked in Higher Education Administration for 23 years. Most recently, Dr. Goretsky was Dean of Students at Arcadia University. He previously served in a variety of roles at the George Washington University; worked in Residential Life at the University of Maryland; and led the Native American Special Interest Residential Community at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Dr. Goretsky began his career working with students with Learning Differences at Landmark College in Vermont. He holds a Doctor of Education, Higher Education Administration from the George Washington University; Master of Arts in Student Personnel Administration from New York University; and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from SUNY at Buffalo. His dissertation research was on Student Engagement and mobile technology, and he has specific interest in the proliferation of hate in online spaces.
Regalia
All students participating in school celebrations and Commencement on the National Mall must wear regalia. Active service members may wear their dress uniform in lieu of regalia. Graduates may order regalia online through April 2.
Keepsakes
Information about additional purchases such as announcements, diploma frames, yearbooks and class rings will be shared in the future. The GW Campus Store offers alumni clothing and gifts.
GIFs: Search gwcommencement in the GIF feature of Instagram and Snapchat to add GW Commencement stickers to your stories.
Questions?
If you have questions about GW's commencement ceremonies, refer to the Frequently Asked Questions or contact [email protected]. For GSEHD events, contact [email protected].
GW ALMA MATER
Hail Alma Mater
To thy spirit guiding,
Knowledge thy closest friend
In its strength abiding,
Pledge we fidelity
Ne'er its place resigning,
Hail thee George Washington!