Meet Laura Capotosto

“There are more opportunities at HGSE than you’ll ever be able to take on,” remarks Lauren Capotosto, a doctoral student in human development and education. “You are able to learn in areas that interest you, because the program is designed for students to pursue varying subjects in an effort to become a well-rounded educator. With teaching grounded in real-life problems, you’ll also have access to incredibly collaborative faculty who are world-renowned. I don’t know if I would be so successful if I didn’t have such incredible teaching.”

Born in Blueburn, Mass., Lauren’s background was built in journalism and as an adult literacy teacher and coordinator before coming to HGSE. “I wanted to see what was out there and if I could contribute to the literature in some way. I started looking at whose research in adult literacy was most influential in my everyday process, and I was finding that so many of those researchers were here at HGSE. I knew I needed to be here so I could learn how to do research that influences both knowledge and practice.

“Because of HGSE, I now have the tools to answer all of the questions that I want to investigate. I have a deeper understanding of how I can make a difference in the field of education. And I’m seen as a colleague by faculty. It’s been a remarkable experience contributing to research on adult, family, and adolescents; presenting and publishing research with faculty; and participating in Associate Professor James Kim’s project on a summer reading intervention for elementary school students. You not only contribute at HGSE, but you can contribute to their way of thinking as well.”