---
title: Two Researchers Elected to the National Academy of Education
date: 2024-03-26T05:30:00-04:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/two-researchers-elected-to-the-national-academy-of-education"
section: Articles
---
# Two Researchers Elected to the National Academy of Education

*March 26, 2024* — by [Emily Schuster](/author/emily-schuster)


> Melanie Killen and Allan Wigfield Are Among 14 Scholars Recognized in 2024

*Benjamin Building 10192015 2335 1920x1080 — Professors Melanie Killen and Allan Wigfield, newly elected to the National Academy of Education, are longtime colleagues. Her research focuses on children’s social and moral development and theory of mind, while his centers on how school-age students' motivation develops over the years.*

Two University of Maryland faculty have been elected to membership in the [National Academy of Education](https://naeducation.org/fourteen-education-leaders-and-scholars-elected-to-the-national-academy-of-education/), one of the highest honors that an education researcher can achieve.

College of Education Professor Melanie Killen and Professor Emeritus Allan Wigfield are among the 14 leaders and scholars recognized in 2024. They join UMD Distinguished University Professor Patricia Alexander, who was elected to the academy in 2020.

“Drs. Killen and Wigfield’s bodies of work serve as markers of scholarly excellence in their fields. We are proud that their important findings on student success and equity come from the University of Maryland," said university President Darryll J. Pines.

The National Academy of Education advances high-quality education research and its use in policy and practice. It consists of U.S. members and international associates who serve on expert study panels that address vital issues in education and who are engaged in the academy’s professional development fellowship programs.

“Dr. Killen and Dr. Wigfield are both truly deserving of this recognition,” said Kimberly Griffin, dean of the College of Education. “Their research on how young people grow and develop—socially, morally and academically—has a vital impact on our understanding of human development and how educators and communities can better support all children’s growth and learning.”


*Melanie Killen headshot*


*Allan Wigfield headshot*




**Topics:** [People](https://today.umd.edu/tags/people)


**Tags:** [Human Development and Quantitative Methodology](https://today.umd.edu/topic/human-development-and-quantitative-methodology), [Research](https://today.umd.edu/topic/research)


**Units:** [College of Education](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-education)