The College of Education at Wichita State has awarded Christine Downey-Schmidt with the College of Education Champion Award.

Downey-Schmidt has served as the co-chair of the College of Education Advisory Board, serves on the board of trustees of the Higher Learning Commission and is a former classroom teacher and Kansas state senator.

She was presented the award by College of Education Dean Shirley Lefever.

“Christine is a strong advocate for public education, for community involvement and for the children in our PreK-12 classrooms,” Lefever says. “We are so fortunate to have her in our college family.”

Downey-Schmidt is involved in promoting education advocacy through outreach and networking. She recently presented an Ed Talk, an event sponsored by the college, urging students, faculty and community members to be involved in their communities and to advocate for children.

She received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in educational administration from Wichita State.