Three University of Notre Dame professors were named to the 2025 RHSU Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings.
Ernest Morrell, Mark Berends and Jeffrey Denning are faculty fellows in Notre Dame’s Institute for Educational Initiatives.
The annual list recognizes 200 scholars whose academic work has influenced educational practice and policy nationwide.
Morrell has been included on the list every year since 2015 for his contributions to literacy education. Morrell is the Associate Dean for the Humanities and Equity in the College of Arts and Letters, the Coyle Professor in Literacy Education and the Director of the Notre Dame Center for Literacy Education.
Morrell’s research focuses on how the use of out-of-school literacy practices in the classroom can successfully engage urban youth in academic content and improve educational outcomes.
“I cannot thank the leadership at Notre Dame enough for their support of my research program and my outreach to schools and communities,” Morrell in a press release. “This recognition ultimately belongs to them for their faith in me and my work.”
Berends is a professor in the Department of Sociology and a faculty fellow of the IEI’s Center for Research on Educational Opportunity and the Kellogg Institute for International Studies. Berends is recognized for his research on school effectiveness and education policy. His research focuses on how school organization and classroom instruction are related to student outcomes.
“It’s an honor to be selected with this incredible group of scholars, many of whom I have looked up to for years,” Berends said. “Having research recognized for its impact on policy and practice provides additional motivation to find new ways to make it happen.”
Denning is the Dillon Hall Associate Professor in the Department of Economics and a faculty affiliate of the Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities. Denning focuses his research on higher education economics and student outcomes.
“I am grateful to my collaborators and the support I've received from Notre Dame for my research on the economics of education,” Denning said.
“I can think of no greater privilege than to work alongside such talented faculty whose research contributes significantly to the field, and even more importantly, helps shape policy and practice to foster even stronger academic outcomes for all young people,” Matt Kloser, Hackett Family Director of the Institute for Educational Initiatives, said.
