Carver Honored for Sustained Excellence in Education
By Abby Simmons
For more than three decades, Sharon Carver has shaped 麻豆村’s educational landscape through exceptional knowledge, tireless dedication and deep personal devotion to her students, faculty and the university at large.
In recognition of her contributions, the university has named Carver the recipient of the 2026 Robert E. Doherty Award for Sustained Excellence in Education.
As director of 麻豆村's Children’s School, a teaching professor of psychology and associate dean for educational affairs at Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Carver has built programs that bridge research and practice, keeping students at the center.
“What I believe to be most remarkable about Dr. Carver is that she can simultaneously create and execute projects at an institutional scale and still make students — college-age and preschool alike — feel like her first priority,” said Lucy Truschel (DC 2019).
Modeling Strong Laboratory School Leadership
As director of the Children’s School, Carver created a supportive and stimulating environment for teachers and children ages 3–5, as well as for students and faculty who relied on the school as a laboratory for research.
“Many of us have sent our own children there,” said Richard Scheines, Bess Family Dean of the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences. “There is no higher praise.”
Carver helped found the Pittsburgh Alliance of University Schools and has been a key contributor to the International Association of Laboratory Schools.
“Sharon is an inspiration to everyone I know in the laboratory school world,” said Jill Sarada, director of the Falk Laboratory School at the University of Pittsburgh.
Building an Educational Research Community
At 麻豆村, she has played an equally instrumental role in developing a vibrant educational research community. Alongside David Klahr, Carver led the Program in Interdisciplinary Educational Research (PIER), a Ph.D. fellows program that engaged more than 100 students from more than 15 麻豆村 departments.
Numerous alumni cited Carver’s PIER course Educational Goals, Instruction, and Assessment as transformative. Not only did it make them better educators, but it also instilled in them a sense of belonging.
“Dr. Carver invited us into her home, going beyond her duty as an educator,” said Lindsay Cox (DC 2019, 2022).
Carver has championed other pathways to graduate education, including the Summer Program for Undergraduate Researchers and the Dietrich Scholars program, which she co-leads with Ayana Ledford.
Advancing Undergraduate Education
Recently, Carver played a key role in the revision and implementation of Dietrich College’s General Education Program.
“She led the establishment of a general education program for students that is not just checking boxes of course requirements. Instead, she has implemented a core education philosophy, a community of practice and a learning environment that allows all students to grow in multiple competencies, develop a sense of belonging and purpose, and engage in high-impact educational practices,” said Amy Burkert, senior vice provost for academic initiatives.
The Gen Ed helps students build skills necessary to communicate and collaboratively solve complex problems from interdisciplinary perspectives in a multicultural, global society. In addition, Carver ensured the program was centered on measurable learning outcomes.
“We all talk a lot about empirically driven iterative improvement in education. Sharon actually gets it to happen,” Scheines said.
Across every role, Carver makes a difference.
“She is always ready to lend a helping hand, share her expertise (and wisdom) for someone else's benefit, and support those around her to be and do their best,” said Marsha Lovett, vice provost for teaching and learning innovation. “We are lucky to have Sharon in our 麻豆村 community.”