Education Studies Program

Education Studies at Washington and Lee offers minors in Education and Education Policy, as well as a nationally accredited Teacher Licensure program as a partner of the Rockbridge Teacher Education Consortium (RTEC).

RTEC is a partnership between Washington and Lee University and Southern Virginia University.

The value and advantages of the Consortium rest on several factors:

  • proximity and program identity
  • opportunities for a richer program through institutional collaboration
  • ability to meet licensure areas where teacher shortages exist
  • professional development and partnering with local schools

Collaboration among the two schools offers a number of strengths. It supplements the capacity of both education departments to create a robust program that offers more courses, more frequently. Because of the consortium, students will be better positioned to schedule and take the courses they need to complete their licensure requirements. Clearly, one of the major strengths of this collaboration is the diversity of knowledge, skills and values in the two teacher education departments that complement and reinforce each other. While each shares a common perspective as small liberal arts colleges, each also has a unique mission and attracts students with different interests and backgrounds. The consortium recognizes the complexity this generates, but values the opportunity for students to engage in a collaborative program where they can learn from each other. This collaborative structure produces a critical mass of diverse students for each education course that enriches class discussions and collaborative projects.

Program Info

  • Newcomb Hall
    Washington and Lee University
    Lexington, Virginia 24450

Haley Sigler

Program Head

Melissa Gualtieri

Administrative Assistant

Feature Stories


Summer School

Elka Prechel ’26 was inspired by a Spring Term Abroad to explore her passion for teaching in France and Italy this summer.

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W&L’s Hamza Zia ’26 Receives Davis Projects for Peace Grant

Zia plans to continue his work with the PINK Center Project in his home country of Pakistan.

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Five W&L Students Awarded Gilman Scholarships to Study Abroad

The Gilman Scholarship Program offers awards of up to $5,000 to U.S. undergraduate students who are Pell Grant recipients.

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Washington and Lee Students Selected for Congressional Hunger Center Internships

Sai Chebrolu ’26 and Valentina Giraldo Lozano ’25 are among 13 students chosen for the Zero Hunger Internship program.

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Rockbridge Teacher Education Consortium Among 38 Educator Prep Providers Recognized for National Excellence

The consortium is among 559 providers meeting the rigorous standards necessary to earn accreditation for its teacher education program.

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Two W&L Students Awarded Public Policy and International Affairs Fellowship

Jessica Pachuca ’25 and Gabe Miller ’25 will attend the PPIA Junior Summer Institute at Carnegie Mellon University this summer.

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W&L’s Alina de Zoysa ’25 Awarded the Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service

De Zoysa is the university’s first recipient of the two-year scholarship for juniors interested in a public service career.

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Future by Design

Sharon Mendieta Ramirez ’23 has designed her W&L experience to prepare her for her career as an educator.

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Eric Moffa

W&L Education Studies Professor and Student Co-Author Journal Article

Professor Eric Moffa and Jake Winston ’24 penned the article which appeared in The Social Studies Journal.

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W&L’s Maggie Hawley ’23 Selected for Fulbright to Spain

Hawley has been awarded a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to teach English in Spain.

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Louisa Ortiz

Lucy Ortiz ’15 Awarded Luce Scholarship

The scholarship provides young scholars with an immersive experience in Asia through which they can learn to “be comfortable being uncomfortable." 

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Eric Moffa

W&L Education Studies Professor Named to Various Committees in Education Field

Eric Moffa holds several state and national leadership positions in the field of education.

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