HU School of Education Honors and Awards Program Booklet 2021 Digital Graduation Ceremony

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION

Honors and Awards Program Booklet 2021 Digital Graduation Ceremony Thursday the sixth of May Two thousand and twenty-one

Excellence in Truth and Service

Howard University Howard University is a living symbol of the determination of a people to free themselves of oppression and enjoy the fruits of life, liberty, happiness, and prosperity as responsible citizens in an equal society. Since its founding in 1867 as one of the major instruments to assist in healing the wounds created by civil strife and to right the wrongs caused by generations of bondage, Howard has awarded more than 100,000 degrees, producing a high percentage of the nation’s black professionals.

For more than 150 years, Howard University has been a leader in higher education.

Howard has embraced the responsibility of educating African American students to be highly qualified professionals. The foundation of Howard rests on its commitment to attract and engage the best minds in order to understand how our society is interconnected, to appreciate diversity, and to serve within our nation’s communities.

As the only truly comprehensive university with a predominantly black constituency, Howard is one of the major engineers of change in our society. Through its traditional and adventuresome academic programs, the University seeks to reduce the distance between all individuals and races in the search for peace and justice.

The main campus has grown from a single-frame building to more than 89 acres, including the six-story Howard University Hospital. The University’s libraries contain more than 1.8 million volumes. Another significant library resource is the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, which has one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive black research collections.

Washington, D.C. is a distinct learning environment, which provides Howard University students access to vast educational resources and rich cultural exposure. From local non-profits to national corporations, Howard establishes partnerships to enhance the development of students’ knowledge, thus integrating the theoretical framework of its courses with applied professional experiences. Current enrollment approximates 11,000 students who come from virtually every state, the District of Columbia, and 108 countries.

Highly recognized for its distinguished and dedicated faculty, Howard assists students in advancing their knowledge to the highest level. University faculty conduct innovative and multi-disciplinary research, establish academic partnerships, and facilitate forums to promote social justice.

Howard is regarded as one of the most prestigious institutions of higher learning in the world. The University’s commitment to prepare generations of qualified practitioners is affirmed by its 13 schools and colleges which cultivate students for achievement within a global context. Howard University accomplishes this mission by offering a wide breadth of courses in the arts and sciences, business, education, engineering, law, medicine, social work, and religion. The University traditionally has had the largest gathering of black scholars in the world.

School of Education For nearly a century and a half, Howard University School of Education (HUSOE) has pursued its vision to improve and expand educational opportunity and access. Advocacy is at the core of HUSOE’s preparation programs, which equip graduates to be leaders of change, reflective practitioners, and engaged researchers. The mission of the HUSOE is to (a) prepare teachers, administrators, researchers, evaluators, counselors, educational and school psychologists, and human development professionals for leadership in urban, underserved, and diverse education and human service settings locally, nationally, and globally; (b) significantly influence the human service agenda from a social justice paradigm for African American and other culturally diverse youth and adults; (c) conduct and disseminate research that supports the belief that all youth and adults can learn, achieve, and have fulfilling lives; and (d) provide a research-based agenda, which is asset-based, multi-disciplinary, and multi-contextual, for developing professionals capable of creating environments that evoke and cultivate the abilities and talents of all youth and adult students and clients.

The Howard University School of Education offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees and certification programs through its three departments: Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, and Human Development and Psychoeducational Studies. The School of Education is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation and boasts six nationally recognized programs. The School’s seminal research organ, The Journal of Negro Education, founded in 1932, celebrates more than 80 years in continuous publication as a scholarly journal dedicated to studying issues incident to the education of Blacks throughout the diaspora and is ranked among the nation’s top refereed social science journals. Additionally, the School houses a nationally-known Urban Superintendents Academy which was established in 2015.

School of Education alumni are members of the National Academy of Education, Fulbright Fellows, and recipients of nationally prestigious professional awards including the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development’s (ASCD) Young Educator of the Year Award, The Washington Post’s Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award, and the U.S. Department of Education’s Terrel Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership. In recent years, the School has also produced and hosted six Fulbright Scholars. The School of Education is one of the University’s largest producer of Ph.D. recipients.

Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. Honors and Awards Ceremony Keynote Speaker Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. is a graduate of T.C. Williams High School. He came up through the ranks of Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS), attending Patrick Henry and James K. Polk Elementary Schools, Mount Vernon Community School, and William Ramsay Elementary School followed by Francis C. Hammond Middle School.

As a student, he was a member of the high school track and field team, the Future Business Leaders of America club and was senior class first vice president at T.C. Williams High School before graduating in 1995.

Prior to becoming a superintendent, Dr. Hutchings was the director of pre-K-12 initiatives and director of middle school programs with ACPS, where he launched the candidacy phase of the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme, which has since been implemented at JeffersonHouston PreK-8 IB School. He also worked collaboratively with the curriculum department on the implementation of the new middle school curricula in ACPS. In 2013, he became superintendent of Shaker Heights Schools, located in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. Under his leadership, he collaborated with community stakeholders, administrators and teachers to close the achievement gap and ensure that students of all backgrounds had access to the resources, tools and opportunities needed to succeed. He became one of only eight superintendents in North America to lead a district offering the IB programme for all students at all grade levels, including pre-K. Dr. Hutchings also worked closely with school board members and administrators to develop and execute a strategic plan to realize the district’s goals. He served five years as a superintendent before returning to ACPS as superintendent in July 2018. In the same year, he was selected for the National Superintendent of the Year Award by the National Alliance of Black School Educators.

An experienced educator and administrator, Dr. Hutchings served as a teacher and in leadership roles at the middle and high school levels as well as in central office administrative positions. He began his teaching career in Manassas at Prince William County Public Schools and then served as an assistant middle school principal with Chesterfield County Public Schools, near Richmond. In Nashville, Tennessee, he was promoted from an assistant high school principal to middle school principal. He was named Tennessee Middle School Principal of the Year by the Tennessee Association of Middle Schools for his role in increasing student achievement and becoming the number one middle school in metropolitan Nashville based on value-added.

Dr. Hutchings holds a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from Old Dominion University and a master’s in educational leadership from George Mason University. He earned a doctorate in educational policy, planning and leadership in 2010 from the College of William and Mary. Dr. Hutchings and his wife Cheryl have two children.

DEPARTMENT OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION Dr. Joy Banks Chair TEACHER EDUCATION CANDIDATES WITH A MINOR IN EDUCATION Kyndal Fletcher

English

Tommy Lawrence

Political Science

Taylor Lawson

Political Science

Ester Marie-N'Dre Okossi

English

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE ELEMENTARY EDUCATION Tiera Monae Barber Rochelle Blair* Destinee Luciana Freeman summa cum laude Nia Khaliq Doles-Gaskins magna cum laude JaKai Marie Grooms summa cum laude Jelanie Angel Williams summa cum laude

MASTER OF EDUCATION SPECIAL EDUCATION Jihad Alan Broussard * B.A., American University, 2016 Kim Q. Christian B.A., Virginia State University, 1996 * Indicates Summer or Fall Graduates

Thomas Patrick Squire, II B.A., Coastal Carolina University, 2011 ELEMENTARY EDUCATION Tina Acquaah* B.S., Bowie State University, 2016

* Indicates Summer or Fall Graduates

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND POLICY STUDIES Dr. Robert Palmer Chair

MASTER OF EDUCATION EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND POLICY STUDIES Alanoud Aldossary* BA.Ed., Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, 2012 Eman Ibraheim Alhussain* B.A. Imam Muhammad University, 2018 Hissah Nasser Alsubaie B.S., Qassim University, 2006 Evan Matthew Coleman B.A., Michigan State University, 2016 Gabrielle S. Hall B.A., Howard University, 2017 Radames Gonzalez B.A., University of Buffalo, 2003 Amber Rechelle Polk* B.A., North Central University, 2018 Michael De’Angelo Russell B.S., Howard University, 2011 John Haywood Smith III B.S., Howard University, 2016

DOCTOR OF EDUCATION EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND POLICY STUDIES Albandari Ayed Aldrees B.A., King Khaled University, 2005 B.A., King Saud University, 2016 Dissertation Title: An Organizational Learning Study on the Inclusive Practices in Elementary Schools from Educators’ Perceptions in Saudi Arabia Dissertation Advisor: Lisa M. Grillo, Ed.D. * Indicates Summer or Fall Graduates

Maurice E. Asuquo (Posthumous) B.A., The Catholic University of America, 1983 M.A., Howard University, 1985 Dissertation Title: Closing the Unemployment Gap: An Examination of Factors That Can Increase Employment Opportunities for Blind and Visually Impaired Persons in Washington, D.C. Dissertation Advisor: Cristóbal Rodríguez, Ph.D. Barbara K. Boakye* B.A., Southwestern Adventist University, 2005 M.Ed., University of Texas at Arlington, 2010 Dissertation Title: Retrospective Experiences of Black Early College Attendees and Thoughts and Self-Perceptions of Their Academic and Personal Transformations.

Dissertation Advisor: Lisa M. Grillo, Ed.D. Charles J. Gibbs* B.B.A., Howard University, 1991 M.Ed., Howard University, 2006 Dissertation Title: Effective Fundraising at Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Lessons from a Successful Capital Campaign.

Dissertation Advisor: Leslie T. Fenwick, Ph.D. Miriam S. Lynch B.B.A., Howard University, 2004 M.Ed., George Mason University, 2009 Dissertation Title: The Ripple Effect: The Political Discourse and The Role of Race Involving Policy and Practice in Water Safety Education and Drowning Prevention Programming in African American Communities.

Dissertation Advisor: Cristóbal Rodríguez, Ph.D. Karen N. Shaw* B.S., Long Island University - C.W. Post Campus, 1997 M.Ed., Towson University, 2002 Dissertation Title: A Phenomenological Study on Alternative Certification Teachers and Professional Development Dissertation Advisor: Lisa M. Grillo, Ed.D. Sofía Milagros Vega-Ormeño B.S., University of Maryland-College Park, 2015 M.S.Ed., Johns Hopkins University, 2017 Dissertation Title: The Path to Latina Principalship in Urban Mid-Atlantic School Districts: A Narrative Approach.

Dissertation Advisor: Cristóbal Rodríguez, Ph.D. * Indicates Summer or Fall Graduates

Amber Audria Williams* B.A., Tougaloo College, 2012 M.A.T., Emory University, 2013 Dissertation Title: How Informed Is Trauma-Informed? The Voices of Black Male Principals in Urban High Schools Concerning Trauma-Informed School Policy.

Dissertation Advisor: Cristóbal Rodríguez, Ph.D.

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY HIGHER EDUCATION LEADERSHIP & POLICY STUDIES Ashley Lynnette Gray* B.A., Saint Louis University, 2009 M.Ed., University of Missouri-St. Louis, 2012 Dissertation Title: I've Got a Testimony!: Black Women College Presidents’ Stories of Ascension Barriers Dissertation Advisor: Sosanya Jones, Ed.D.

* Indicates Summer or Fall Graduates

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT & PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL STUDIES Dr. Kimberley Edelin Freeman Chair

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT Ashleigh Henry Kayla Jessye Kinsler magna cum laude Stephanie Patrice Patterson cum laude Mekhi Ania Stevens-Pruitt Jeniel Townsend* Maalika Ulmulk* Shealtiel Ettenraw Weekes summa cum laude Shantel Michelle Young magna cum laude

MASTER OF EDUCATION SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY Hissah Althiyabi B.A., King Abdulaziz University, 2011

Sierra Elizabeth Brewer B.A., McDaniel College, 2018

* Indicates Summer or Fall Graduates

April Clark* B.A., Spelman College, 2016 Olaoluwa Joshua Olamiju* B.Ed., Obafemi Awolowo University, 2014 Brittany Shanell Thompson B.S., University of Maryland College Park, 2011 Jasmine Lovette Wedge B.S., Bowie State University, 2014

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Frances Yaa Adomako* Counseling Psychology B.A. & M.A., St. John’s University, 2010 M.A. & M.Ed., Teachers College of Columbia University, 2015 Dissertation Title: Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired:” A Mixed Methods Study Exploring the Relationship Between Social Media Activism, Race-related Stress, Racial Identity Attitudes, and Quality of Life.

Dissertation Advisor: Shareefah Al’Uqdah, Ph.D. Mark Elliot Tucker* Counseling Psychology B.A. University of Delaware, 2011 M.S. University of Delaware, 2014 Dissertation Title: The Relationship Between Trauma, Exercise, Racial Identity, Physical and Mental Health Among African American Men. Dissertation Advisor: Shareefah Al’Uqdah, Ph.D. Rogí Janaé Banks* School Psychology B.F.A., Howard University, 2011 Dissertation Title: Witness Protection: Exploring the Role of Empathy Among Participants of Cyberbullying.

Dissertation Advisor: Gregory K. Reed, Ph.D.

* Indicates Summer or Fall Graduates

Sarah Louise Cooke* School Psychology B.A., Georgia State University, 2012 M.Ed., Howard University, 2015 Dissertation Title: A Survey of School Psychologists’ Training in Gifted and Cultural Assessment Practices.

Dissertation Advisor: Celeste M. Malone, Ph.D. Jasmyn Nichole Ledford School Psychology B.A., Hampton University, 2012 M.A., Seton Hall University, 2015 Dissertation Title: A Meta-analysis of Noncontingent Reinforcement Procedures: Reducing Self-Injury in Autism.

Dissertation Advisor: Celeste M. Malone, Ph.D. Monique Danielle Lewis* School Psychology B.A. Howard University, 2005 M.Ed., Howard University, 2012 Dissertation Title: ‘You can’t sit with us’: Examining Parental and Child Relational Aggression and Social- Psychological Adjustment in a Multi-Informant Study.

Dissertation Advisor: Celeste M. Malone, Ph.D. Nicole O’Brien School Psychology B.A., Rutgers University, 2010 Dissertation: New Trend or a Reimagining of The Familiar? The Use of Gamification Strategies in K-12 Education.

Dissertation Advisor: Gregory K. Reed, Ph.D. Fatimah Tunsi School Psychology B.A., Umm Al-Qura University, 2003 M.Ed., American International University, 2008 M.Ed., Howard University, 2014 Dissertation Title: Student Engagement, Burnout, And Self-Efficacy Among High School Students in Saudi Arabia.

Dissertation Advisor: Salman Elbedour, Ph.D.

* Indicates Summer or Fall Graduates

Lawrence Wilson School Psychology B.S., Howard University, 2010 M.Ed., Howard University, 2013 Dissertation Title: Perceived Discrimination and Mental Health of Arab Americans and the Moderating Role of Coping Styles.

Dissertation Advisor: Salman Elbedour, Ph.D.

*Indicates Summer or Fall Graduates The appearance of a name in this program is presumptive evidence of graduation, but it must not in any sense be regarded as conclusive. The diploma of the University, signed and sealed by its proper officers, remains the official testimony of the possession of the degree.

Honors Special Recognition cum laude Stephanie Patrice Patterson magna cum laude Nia Khaliq Doles-Gaskins Kayla Jessye Kinsler Shantel Michelle Young summa cum laude Destinee Luciana Freeman JaKai Marie Grooms Shealtiel Weeks Jelanie Angel Williams 4.0 Grade Point Averages Tina Acquaah Alanoud Aldossary Hissah Nasser Alsubaie Evan Matthew Coleman Gabrielle S. Hall Ashley Lynnette Gray Michael De’Angelo Russell Sofía Milagros Vega-Ormeño Amber Audria Williams

School of Education Honor Societies Kappa Delta Pi Kayla Jessye Kinsler Graduating Student Council Members Tiera Monae Barber Nia Khaliq Doles-Gaskins Jelanie Angel Williams

Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing First Verse: Children of the Early Learning Program Lift ev'ry voice and sing Till earth and heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of Liberty; Let our rejoicing rise High as the list'ning skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us; Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us; Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, Let us march on 'till victory is won.

Music by J. Rosamond Johnson, 1905 Lyrics by James Weldon Johnson, 1900

The Howard University School of Education Alumni Creed As an Alumnus/Alumna of the Howard University School of Education, I will at all times and in all places, promote the good name and reputation of the Howard University School of Education. With dignity, I will demonstrate character and consciousness, exercise leadership, and strive to open new doors of opportunity for the generations behind me.

I will assist the School of Education by recruiting worthy students, donating financial resources and by speaking about Black and marginalized communities in an uplifting and empowering manner. Beginning today, as a Son or Daughter of this world-renowned institution, I wholeheartedly support the Howard University School of Education’s future with my time and treasure.

This I do pledge!

Written by Dr. Leslie T. Fenwick, Dean Emerita Howard University School of Education January 2, 2007-June 5, 2016

The Howard University Alma Mater

Reared against the eastern sky Proudly there on hilltop high, Far above the lake so blue Stands old Howard firm and true.

There she stands for truth and right, Sending forth her rays of light, Clad in robes of majesty; O Howard, we sing of thee.

Be thou still our guide and stay, Leading us from day to day; Make us true and leal and strong, Ever bold to battle wrong.

When from thee we’ve gone away, May we strive for thee each day As we sail life’s rugged sea, O Howard, we sing of thee.

Words by J.H. Brooks, 1916 Music by F.D. Malone, 1916

Graduation and Honors and Awards Ceremony Committee Dr. Dawn Williams Dean Office of the Dean Dr. Scott Jackson Dantley Associate Dean for Academic Programs Office of the Dean Ms. Mariam Barry Administrative Officer Office of the Dean Dr. Mercedes E. Ebanks Associate Professor Department of Human Development and Psychoeducational Studies Dr. Lisa Grillo Assistant Professor Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Ms. Brandy Jackson Assistant Dean of Enrollment & Student Affairs Office of the Dean Dr. Velma LaPoint Professor Department of Human Development and Psychoeducational Studies Ms. Tashira Merritt Social Media Engineer Office of the Dean Ms. Stacy Simon Executive Assistant to the Associate Dean for Academic Programs Office of the Dean

School of Education Faculty Members 2020-2021 Curriculum & Instruction Dr. Joy Banks, Chair Dr. Kenneth Alonzo Anderson Dr. Helen Bond Dr. Scott Jackson Dantley Dr. James T. Jackson Dr. Denisha Jones Dr. Jennifer Lee Dr. Catherine Quinlan Dr. Gail Upchurch

Dr. James Jackson Dr. Catherine Quinlan Dr. Gail Epps Dr. Katina January-Vance Dr. Ocheze Joseph Dr. Dowan McNair-Lee Dr. Sandra Rose

Human Development & Psychoeducational Studies Dr. Kimberley E. Freeman, Chair Dr. Shareefah Al’Uqdah Dr. Gizelle Carr Dr. Salman Elbedour Dr. Angela Ferguson Dr. Danyelle Ireland Dr. Celeste Malone Dr. Katherine Picho Dr. Gregory K. Reed Dr. Jennifer Rious Dr. Ivory Toldson

Dr. Ura Jean Oyemade Bailey Dr. Mercedes Ebanks Dr. Constance Ellison Dr. Lyneia Hawkins Dr. Velma LaPoint Dr. Kyndra Middleton Dr. Hakim Rashid Dr. Elizabeth Ricks Dr. Veronica Thomas Dr. Kamilah M. Woodson

Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Dr. Robert Palmer, Chair Dr. Alpheus Arrington Dr. Michael Brooks Dr. Jean Paul Cadet Dr. Melanie Carter Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick, (President) Dr. Leslie Fenwick Dr. Renee Garraway Dr. Lisa Grillo Dr. Rodney Henderson

Dr. Sosanya Jones Dr. Shawn Joseph Dr. Glenn Phillips Dr. James Riley Dr. Cristobal Rodriguez Dr. Duane Ross Dr. Kmt Shockley Professor Donna Whitman Dr. Dawn Williams (Dean)

Special Thanks To: Ms. Mariam Barry Mr. Patrick Daley Mrs. Menbere Endale Ms. June Harris Ms. Brandy Jackson Ms. Tashira Merritt Ms. LaShaun Morgan Ms. Stacy Simon Mr. Benjamin Wilson Mr. & Miss School of Education - Rachel Nwosu & Dashawn Simon Musical selection - Ms. Jamila E. Ford & Mr. Alexander J. Parchment SunChase Media - Mr. John Ledbetter & Mr. Jabari Jefferson Howard University Early Learning Program Howard University Department of Public Safety Howard University Graphics & Printing Services Howard University Libraries & Moorland Spingarn Research Center Howard University Office of University Communications Howard University Office of the Registrar Howard University Office of Events & Protocol