UCO Jackson College of Graduate Studies Honors Alumna for Academic Excellence
June 2, 2026
The University of Central Oklahoma Jackson College of Graduate Studies (JCGS) has awarded the E.C. Hall Outstanding Graduate Student Award for fall 2025 to Central alumna Sarah Clifford. This award is presented to one graduate student each semester post-graduation.
Clifford, from Edmond, Oklahoma, completed her Master of Education in curriculum and instruction: teaching and learning Pre-K-6 in December 2025. She currently teaches third grade at John Ross Elementary, part of Edmond Public Schools.
She was nominated by the College of Education and Professional Studies (CEPS) as its fall 2025 E.C. Hall Scholar and selected for the universitywide award by the JCGS Council.
"JCGS is so proud of all the fall 2025 E.C. Hall nominees," said Sarah Gordon, Ph.D., dean of the Jackson College of Graduate Studies.
"A special congratulations goes to our winner, Sarah Clifford. Sarah's commitment to transforming knowledge into meaningful impact for students, schools and communities exemplifies graduate education at UCO and harkens back to our Normal School roots."
As a graduate student and elementary school teacher, Clifford's professional accomplishments reflect a deep commitment to instructional excellence, leadership, collaboration, research advocacy and relationship-centered practice.
"Throughout my studies, I have consistently sought to grow beyond the classroom, prioritizing collaboration, advocacy and innovation to ensure a lasting, positive impact on the broader educational community," Clifford said.
Clifford has organized and implemented teaching strategies to create a space where future educators have the opportunity to facilitate engaging and meaningful math experiences with students and parents, as well as bringing families together to engage in math in a welcoming and accessible way. This included analyzing Response to Intervention (RTI) data and working with UCO professors, including Darlinda Cassel, Ph.D., professor in Central’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction, on research-based practices to support thoughtful, data-driven work in the field.
To add to her professional journey, Clifford is an active advocate for policies that support students, educators and families. This includes being selected as the Curriculum and Instruction in Education Outstanding Advocate for her work at UCO.
"By advocating in-person at the Capitol and building relationships with policymakers, I learned how educational decisions are created and how educators can effectively create change," Clifford said.
Clifford has also collaborated with teachers in Syracuse, New York, for a virtual pen pal project aligned with the International Society for Technology in Education Global Collaborator standard. This project offered her students the opportunity to extend their knowledge outside of the classroom and engage with others across the country.
Clifford's name will be added to the E.C. Hall Outstanding Graduate Student Award plaque in the graduate college office in the Nigh University Center.
For more information about the JCGS, call 405-974-3494, visit uco.edu/graduate.
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Cutline: The University of Central Oklahoma Jackson College of Graduate Studies (JCGS) has awarded the E.C. Hall Outstanding Graduate Student Award for fall 2025 to Central alumna Sarah Clifford, pictured with her children. Clifford, from Edmond, Oklahoma, completed her Master of Education in curriculum and instruction: teaching and learning Pre-K-6 in December 2025. She currently teaches third grade at John Ross Elementary, part of Edmond Public Schools.
