University of Delaware College of Education & Human Development
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School of Education

Education Graduate Association

The Education and HDFS Graduate Association (EGA) is the official student organization of full- and part-time graduate students at the University of Delaware’s School of Education and Department  of Human Development and Family Studies. Officers are elected to EGA each year for a one-year term. Students are granted membership in this association upon acceptance to the School, and its officers are elected from among your peers and colleagues.

The EGA serves as a link to news, information, and events within the school that affects graduate students. It also serves as an advocate and representative to the faculty and administration of the School on matters ranging from quality of life to programs and advising. The EGA also holds events throughout the semester. Check the event calendar for upcoming activities and connect with them on Facebook.

2016-17 Education Graduate Association Officers

shirillaPresident: Marcia Shirilla

Marcia Shirilla holds a Master’s degree in Leisure Studies from Penn State and a Bachelor’s degree in Forestry from Virginia Tech. She has 17 years of experience working in the recreation industry including summer camp and after-school programming, health and wellness programming, and facility management. She also taught as an adjunct instructor at North Carolina Central University’s Department of Physical Education and Recreation. Her research interests include investigating how children perceive learning and play, how children learn through play, and how physical activity is related to the development of executive function.

BeautyPlus_20160112155425_fastVice President: Soumita Basu

Soumita Basu is a second-year student in M.Ed. in Educational Technology. Her study interests involve designing digital learning environments as well as augmenting learning experiences using technological solutions. Prior to this program, she received her M.A. degree in English from India. Soumita currently works as a Graduate Assistant for the administrative office of the School of Education. She is elated to serve as the Vice-President of EGA.

thumb_img_7154_1024-copyTreasurer: Brianna Devlin

Bri Devlin is a first year PhD student in the Learning Sciences specialization. She graduated from Grand Valley State University in Michigan with a B.S. in Psychology. After college, she worked as a preschool teacher and then a laboratory manager in the Psychology department at the University of Notre Dame.  She hopes to research the development of mathematical cognition in children and factors that affect young children’s learning of early mathematical concepts and skills. She is excited to be a part of the EGA this year!

colored-picture-4-2-copySecretary: Annastasia Purinton

Annastasia is from Southern Chester County, Pennsylvania. She holds a B.A. in English Literature and a M.A. in Teaching English as a Second Language. Both of her degrees were earned at the University of Delaware.Annastasia’s academic interests include literacy development for adolescent English language learners, and the creation and adaption of research based teaching methods for ELL students to improve vocabulary and reading comprehension.


School of Education  •  113 Willard Hall Education Building  •  Newark, DE 19716
Phone: (302) 831-8695  •  Fax: (302) 831-4110  ©2013