Recognizing excellence: College of Education and Human Development hosts 27th annual Alumni Awards

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University's College of Education and Human Development is honoring Drs. Tasia Fields and Andrew Rynberg with Golden Apple Awards, Lindsey Hemmerlein with a Keystone Early Career Award, Ameer Ismail with a Keystone Meritorious Award, Dr. James Ysseldyke with the Outstanding Alumni Award and Dr. Carol Payne with the Bronco Legacy Award (posthumous) at the 27th annual Alumni Awards on Oct. 10, 2025.

"The success and impact of the college is best measured by our alumni. And we celebrate the collective, far-reaching impact they have had on communities, schools, and lives," says Dr. Laura Dinehart, dean of the College of Education and Human Development. "They are a powerful inspiration for every student striving to achieve their own greatness."

Dr. Tasia Fields

Dr. Tasia Fields, B.A.’09, serves as the Director of Access and Achievement for Waukegan Public Schools, founder of Great Minds TEACH Alike (GMTA), and a newly elected member of the District 121 Board of Education in Gurnee, Illinois.

With more than 15 years of experience as an educator and leader, Fields has consistently advanced equity and inclusion by fostering empathetic, student-centered environments. At Waukegan Public Schools, she launched the district’s first Equity and Inclusion Department, created its Equity Framework, and spearheaded initiatives such as the African American Male Achievement Initiative. She also advises executive leaders on inclusive policies, culturally responsive practices, and equity audits to ensure schools become more just and effective spaces for all students.

Through GMTA, Fields partners with schools and organizations to deliver leadership development, strategic planning, and innovative solutions that produce measurable results. She also hosts the Great Minds Teach Alike podcast, which blends education and inspiration in an “EDUtainment” format. Most recently, she authored a coloring book for educators, blending creativity, wellness, and affirmation into a resource designed to uplift those in the teaching profession.

A dedicated single mother, passionate educator, published author, proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and Western Michigan University alumna, Fields is a recipient of the 2025 CEHD Golden Apple Award.

Dr. Andrew Rynberg

During Dr. Andrew Rynberg’s, Ph.D.’16, storied career in education he has been considered by those around him as a leader’s leader. Serving as a Community Superintendent for the US Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), he is responsible for coordinating and organizing the education of America’s military families abroad under his region of leadership.

For the past nine years with DoDEA, Rynberg has worked in three of the organization’s regions: Mid-Atlantic America’s 26 schools, Europe East 31 schools and Europe West 16 schools. Collectively, DoDEA organization supports and educates over 67,000 military connected children whose parents are serving in the US military and NATO member families around the world. To accomplish his work, he has lived in five countries and one territory in support of the 161 schools DoDEA operates. In addition, under his leadership, DoDEA’s scores in the last two years on the National Assessment of Educational Progress were highest in the nation for both ELA and math in all assessed grades. Rynberg’s service has been lauded by US and NATO military leadership, families and their children.   

Previously, Rynberg was the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction for Indian Rivers School District in Vero Beach, Florida, leading their 21 public schools and five charter schools. Starting in 2013, he transformed the district rated as a “C” school system by the State, to an “A” school district in 2016. His leadership laid the groundwork for teachers and staff to be successful as the district continues to be rated “A” with a 96% graduation rate. Rynberg is a recipient of the 2025 CEHD Golden Apple Award.

Lindsey Hemmerlein

Lindsey Hemmerlein, B.S.W.’13, M.A.’19, serves as the Operations Director of the Stryker Johnston Foundation (SJF), a private family foundation working to change the systems and structures that create intergenerational poverty, particularly among Black people, people of color and other communities that have been left out or left behind.

One of the first non-family staff members to join SJF, Hemmerlein has been instrumental in the organizational development of its operations. Guided by collaboration and voices in the community, she plays a crucial role in ensuring that internal operations are reflective of SJF’s mission and vision. She consistently demonstrates a commitment to authentic community engagement, working daily to ensure the voices of those most impacted are elevated and prioritized. This involves fostering transparent lines of communication with all she encounters and strategically nurturing strong relationships with Kalamazoo County’s non-profit organizations.

At WMU, Hemmerlein was introduced and heavily influenced by the works of Lilla Watson, an Aboriginal activist. Watson’s words of “If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together,” during an address to the United Nations has inspired Hemmerlein throughout her career. She always remains curious and operates with humility and compassion.    

According to her nominator, Hemmerlein understands the importance of meeting people where they are, and she consistently uplifts and supports those doing the tough, often unseen work on the ground. She is shaping a more just and inclusive future for Kalamazoo and beyond. Hemmerlein is the recipient of the 2025 CEHD Keystone Early Career Award.

Ameer Ismail

Ameer Ismail, B.S.’07, M.A.’11, a distinguished athlete and Western Michigan University alumnus, has dedicated his life to football and uplifting others. An All-American athlete at WMU, he has found success in his coaching career with teams in NCAA Division I, II and III, Professional Arena Football and the Canadian Football League. This includes three success years as head coach of the Iowa Barnstormers, the former team of NFL Hall of Famer, Kurt Warner.

Ismail’s impact on the game of football is transformative. As head coach of the Massachusetts Pirates, he led the newly formed team to a 11-5 record, the best in the National Arena League that year. At Davenport University, he helped lead the team to their best record in school history and rank nationally in defense. And with Lake Erie College, Ismail coordinated the team’s defense to become the Great Midwest Athletic Conference’s top team in red zone stops, forced fumbles and fumble recoveries.

Passionate about giving back to the game, Ismail has served as a mentor and trainer for developing players. As part of the WMU football coaching staff, he coached future National Football League players Robert Spillane (New England Patriots), Asantay Brown (Philadelphia Eagles) and Jarrell McKinney (Houston Texans). As linebacker coach for the Edmonton Elks, his linebackers, Nick Anderson and Nyles Morgan, made Canadian Football League history as both recorded over 110 tackles in a single season.

His coaching career has been recognized by several organizations, including the National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches, Our Coaching Network as their 2024 Coach on the Rise and an invited speaker at the 2025 American Football Coach Association's annual convention. 

According to his nominator, Ismail’s impressive accomplishments are further complemented by his exceptional work ethic and engaging interpersonal skills. Ismail is the recipient of the 2025 CEHD Keystone Meritorious Award.

Dr. James Ysseldyke

Dr. James Ysseldyke, B.S.’66, is a Professor Emeritus of Educational Psychology at the University of Minnesota. He has educated school psychologists and researchers for four decades. He advised and mentored more than 100 doctoral and Ed.S. students who have gone on to leadership positions in universities, school systems, government agencies and research organizations.

At Minnesota, he served as Birkmaier Professor of Educational Leadership, Director of the School Psychology program, Director of the Minnesota Institute for Research on Learning Disabilities, Director of the National School Psychology Network, Director of the National Center on Educational Outcomes, and Associate Dean for Research.

Ysseldyke is an author of major textbooks and more than 300 journal articles. His research and writing have focused on enhancing the competence of individual students and enhancing the capacity of systems to meet student’s needs. Ysseldyke also chaired the task forces that produced the three Blueprints on the Future of Training and Practice in School Psychology.

Ysseldyke has received awards for his research from the School Psychology Division of the American Psychological Association, the American Educational Research Association, and the Council for Exceptional Children. The University of Minnesota presented him a distinguished teaching award, and he received a distinguished alumni award from the University of Illinois. Ysseldyke is the recipient of the 2025 CEHD Outstanding Alumni Award.

Dr. Carol Payne Smith

Dr. Carol Payne Smith, Professor Emeritus in the College of Education and Human Development, passed away peacefully this year, leaving an incredible legacy on Western Michigan University and her community. During her 35 years at WMU, she trained thousands of students who carry on her advocacy of equal education (and housing and employment).

Joining the faculty in 1964, she specialized in what was then known as “teaching the disadvantaged.” Personally experiencing the sting of sex discrimination and observing explicit discrimination against Black and Jewish students at Bowling Green State University, she became a tireless advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in education. She supervised WMU students’ learning experiences in a variety of settings, including a YMCA summer camp for inner-city children from Chicago, an educational program for migrant farm worker children, and urban high schools throughout Michigan.

Ever committed to serving the University, she served as advisor for 15 years to Beta Iota Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, the national honor society in education, as advisor to Arista Chapter of Mortar Board, the senior leadership honorary, and as chair of the WMU Commission on the Status of Women. In addition, she served as a member of the AAUP Executive Committee and negotiating team, as a member of the Faculty Senate Executive Board, as president of the Faculty Senate for two terms, and as chair of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Planning Committee.

In recognition of these activities, in addition to extensive activity at the state level she was honored by Bowling Green State University as an Alumni Guest Lecturer, received the WMU Woman of the Year Award, and in 1995 received the Distinguished Faculty Award from the Michigan Association of Governing Boards. Payne Smith is the recipient, posthumously, of the 2025 Bronco Legacy Award.

For more information about the CEHD Alumni Awards, including past recipients, please visit the CEHD Alumni Awards webpage.

For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.