Summer 2020 Graduates

Congratulations to all 18 of our summer 2020 graduates! As we say goodbye to these students we welcome them to our alumni - a rich and vibrant group of arts practitioners, professionals and administrators paving the future of the arts in a wide range of arts education and policy related fields.

In light of these unprecedented times which impose restrictions on large public gatherings, Ohio-State is unable to host their traditional summer commencement ceremony. These circumstances should not detract from the monumentality of of these students' accomplishment. AAEP encourages our students to find a way to mark this day differently and to do so with friends and family, even if it is at a distance. Ohio State’s Virtual Commencement will take place on Sunday, August 9th beginning at 2:00 PM.  This virtual event in no way limits or excludes a future live commencement ceremony. The university will plan and hold such a celebration for members of the summer class of 2020, their families and guests at a time that is both safe and practical.

Summer 2020 Graduates

Jessica Pissini 

Jessica Pissini photo

Hometown: Hermitage, PA
Degree: PhD in Arts Administration, Education and Policy
Specialization: Museum Education and Administration
Favorite AAEP course: ARTEDUC 7709: Arts-Based Education Research Approaches
Favorite Ohio State memory: "Visits to the Wex art exhibitions."

Chloe Betts

Degree: Master of Arts in Art Education


Alexa Bolton 

Alexa Bolton photo

Hometown: Columbus, OH
Degree: Master of Arts in Art Education
Favorite AAEP course: ARTEDUC 5367: Reel Injuns: Identity and Representation
Favorite Ohio State memory: "Coming up with weekly art project ideas and making them for 7604: Teaching of Studio Activities! Also the moment when I finally submitted my thesis paper and I realized that I did it."


Staysean Daley 

Staysean Daley photo

Hometown: Kingston, Jamaica
Degree: Master of Arts in Art Education
Awards/Recognition: Kuhn Scholarship recipient
Favorite AAEP course: ARTEDUC 7777: Research to Advocacy


Alyssa Goot 

Degree: Master of Arts in Art Education


Marcella Homan

Degree: Master of Arts in Art Education


Lynnette Torres Ivey 

Lynnette Torres Ivey photo

Hometown: Kennesaw, GA
Degree: Master of Arts in Art Education
Favorite AAEP course: ARTEDUC 7767: Critical Analysis of Multicultural Art Education
Favorite Ohio State memory: "Building an online community with my cohort and professors."


Drew Jones

Degree: Master of Arts in Art Education


Layla Muchnik-Benali 

Layla Muchnik-Benali photo

Hometown: Cambridge, MA
Degree: Master of Arts in Art Education
Specialization: Museum Education and Administration and Film Studies
Awards/recognition: 2018-2019 Graduate Enrichment Fellow
Favorite AAEP course: ARTEDUC 7701: Contemporary Theory and Art Education
Favorite Ohio State memory: "When Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie came to OSU as the keynote speaker for the 45thAnnual Conference & Meeting African Literature Association. "


Kelly Orlando

Degree: Master of Arts in Art Education


Aleya Peete 

Aleya Peete photo

Hometown: Jacksonville, FL
Degree: Master of Arts in Art Education
Favorite AAEP course: ARTEDUC 7200.10: Introduction to Research Methodologies & Methods
Favorite Ohio State memory: "Getting together at the beginning of the year for the potluck and having the opportunity to meet and mingle with everyone outside of an academic setting."


Taylor Skelton 

Taylor Skelton photo

Hometown: Canton, GA
Degree: Master of Arts in Art Education
Favorite AAEP course: ARTEDUC 7604: Teaching of Studio Activities with Dr. Richardson
Favorite Ohio State memory: "While I was not on campus during this program, I still have very memorable moments connected to the university. My favorite would have to be singing "Carmen Ohio" with the Atlanta Ohio State Alumni group when we beat *ichigan in 2019!"


Shelby Spence

Degree: Master of Arts in Art Education


Karla Stahlecker

Degree: Master of Arts in Art Education


Lynnette Torres Ivey 

Degree: Master of Arts in Art Education


Sarah Will 

Sarah Will photo

Hometown: Marysville, OH
Degree: Master of Arts in Art Education


Bridget Williams 

Bridget Williams photo

Hometown: North Canton, OH
Degree: Master of Arts in Art Education
Favorite AAEP course: ARTEDUC 7777: From Research to Advocacy
Favorite Ohio State memory: "Bringing my children to visit the OSU campus. Future buckeyes?? Fingers crossed."

Grace Anthony

Degree: Bachelor of Arts (Arts Management major)


Eric "Murr" Murray 

Eric Murray photo

Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Degree: Bachelor of Arts (Arts Management major)
Specialization: Music Management
Favorite AAEP course: ARTEDUC 5683: Developing Arts Careers: Positioning Passion (with ARTEDUC 4674: The City As Art as a runner up)
Favorite Ohio State memory: "Having a team of 16 other students rally around my class project idea and helping to put on "LOUD: Mind & Music", and event that used music and art to raise awareness for mental health. Donations went to the 'I Will Help You' initiative within the OSU College of Nursing"
What are you up to now? "I'm pursuing a side hustle career as an recording artist (theworldofmurr.com for details)."