Faculty of Color- College of Education: University of Massachusetts, Amherst

College of Education, UMass -Amherst

2018 FACULTY OF COLOR

Dr. Theresa Austin

Professor of Language, Literacy, & Culture ■

Ph.D, UCLA

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Research Areas: Second language and literacy development; heritage language learning and teaching; ethnography, narrative inquiry and discourse analysis as tools for building knowledge and identities; bilingualism at the social intersection of race, class, and gender; planning & policy in language instruction and assessment

Dr. Austin draws on critical race and sociocultural theories to examine language and literacy policies and planning for multilingual learners from a broader social perspective and discursive microanalytic level. Her transnational scholarship addresses ethnolinguistic and cross cultural issues in planning language and literacy curriculum, teacher inquiry, technology-assisted learning, assessment and evaluation for learning second and world languages (African American English, ESL/EFL, Spanish, Japanese, etc). She conducts sociohistorical research, ethnographies of communication, and critical discourse analysis for inquiry to responsibly address the instructional needs of diverse historically underserved communities.

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Fun Fact: I enjoy qualitative analyses, I love cooking, and I am positively a savvy consumer shopping for bargains

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Email: taustin@educ.umass.edu

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Office: W260 Furcolo

Dr. Benita J. Barnes

Associate Professor of Higher Education Social Justice Education Concentration Coordinator Director of Diversity Advancement, College of Education ■ Ph.D, Michigan State University M.A., Michigan State University B.A., Michigan State University ■ Research Areas: Graduate education, student development theory, research methods, historically Black colleges and universities, mentoring and academic advising ■ Fun Fact: I ran the Boston Marathon in 2015 ■ Email: barnesbj@educ.umass.edu ■ Office: N180 Furcolo

Dr. JoniQue R. Childs Assistant Professor of Student Development ■

Ph.D, University of Iowa (Counselor Education and Supervision) Graduate minor in Multicultural Education & Cultural Competency; Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC); Dual Masters degrees MS.Eds in school and clinical mental health counseling with an emphasis in career development

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Research Areas: Career decision-making, social justice advocacy practices, leadership characteristics, mental health awareness, multicultural education, and cultural competency

Dr. Childs has previous experiences as an at-risk school counselor, college career counselor and recruiter, and clinical mental health counselor on the national suicide hotline. She has served individuals from different ethnic backgrounds to include adolescent, high school students, undergraduates, graduate students, and older adults. Her research investigates the psychosocial needs of students that identify as First-Generation in K-12, postsecondary, and advanced degree attainment. Dr. Childs employs a broader ecological context in her research to systematically examine the personal, social, emotional, academic, and career attainment of postsecondary education of first-generation college students of color and the interconnectedness of mental well-being with an emphasis in help seeking behaviors and attitudes for personal counseling and career services.

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Fun Fact: An interesting fact about me is that I have met the first family (Barack & Michelle Obama) as a native born and raised in Chicago, IL.

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Email: jrchilds@umass.edu

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Office: S120 Furcolo

Always hold on to what drove you to apply for your program in the first place and the excitement you had in finding out that you were accepted into it. This can be easy to forget as you experience challenges and fatigue along your graduate school journey. So take a moment to remember the passion, wonder, and enthusiasm that you experienced on your first day of class and carry that with you as you move forward on this new path. Another important thing is to try and build community, not competition, with your classmates. They are some of the few people who will understand what you are experiencing and it is important that you support one another each step of the way. Lastly, I would say to remember that graduate studies are a marathon, not a sprint. You have to pace yourself and be patient with yourself throughout the process in order to have the endurance to make it to the finish line. This means prioritizing your health and well being, taking time to reflect on what you need to be successful, and having people in your life who have your best interest in mind so that they can provide guidance and support.

For doctoral students, while the dissertation is an independent process, don't let it isolate you from others. Instead, use it to connect to people – talk about your study to others, share what you are going through, remember to rely on your community. It is also important to demonstrate your commitment to the dissertation process by carving out time to work on it and finding ways to keep yourself accountable. Develop a plan and check in with others like your dissertation chair to make sure it is realistic and will meet your needs and expectations. Then take that plan and build it into your calendar so that you work on it regularly and check in with others to let them know how you are doing in accomplishing your plan. But, don't be too hard on yourself when things don't go exactly as you thought they would because they rarely do. Instead, just revise your plan and keep persevering. Lastly, in those times when you are unsure of yourself or have doubt, remember that all of the milestones you have achieved to get to this moment demonstrate that you belong here and that you are worthy of a graduate degree.

WORDS OF WISDOM – DR. CHRYSTAL GEORGE MWANGI

Dr. John M. Francisco

Associate Professor, Math, Science, & Learning Technologies

■ Ph.D., Rutgers University M.Ed., Rutgers University B.A., Pedagogical University, Maputo, Mozambique ■ Email: jmfranci@educ.umass.edu ■ Office: W242 Furcolo

Dr. Chrystal A. George Mwangi Assistant Professor of Higher Education Concentration Coordinator, Higher Education ■

PhD, University of Maryland, College Park (Higher Education) –

M.S., Florida State University (Higher Education & Student Affairs )

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B.A., Rollins College (International Business)

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Research Area: Dr. George Mwangi’s scholarship broadly centers on 1) structures of opportunity and educational attainment for minoritized populations along the P-20 education pipeline; 2) impacts of globalization and migration on U.S. higher education at the student, institution, and policy levels; and 3) African and African Diaspora populations in higher education. Some of her recent research projects emphasize the educational experiences of Black immigrant collegians; the role of family and community in college access and success; and internationalization efforts within higher education.

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Fun Fact: I am learning Swahili and I love to watch bad reality television

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Email: chrystal@umass.edu

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Office: N174 Furcolo

Dr. Kevin Goodman

Visiting Assistant Professor of Social Justice Education ■ Fun Fact: Kevin Goodman was avidly involved in advocacy and theater in high school and on the Speech and Debate team in college, where he became nationally ranked in acting interpretation and public speaking events. His later empirical research has extended themes, scholarly concepts, and politicized issues that he initially explored in this community and artistic work.

■ Email: kgoodman@umass.edu

"Be prepared to deal with poverty during these years and, in addition, because you will need to do so much sitting/standing while you read/write make sure to develop some counterbalancing practice of yoga/meditation/swimming/weight training/athletics to support your mental and physical health."

WORDS OF WISDOM – DR. K.C. NAT TURNER

Dr. Keisha Green

Assistant Professor of Teacher Education & Curriculum Studies

■ Ph.D., Emory University – M.A., New York University – B.A., Columbia College ■ Research Area: Dr. Green's scholarly interests are in English Education, youth literacy practices across school, home, and community contexts, critical literacy and critical pedagogy.

■ Fun Fact: I was a competitive gymnast through high school ■ Email: klgreen@educ.umass.edu ■ Office: W210 Furcolo

Dr. Korina Jocson Associate Professor of Social Justice Education Editor-in-Chief, Equity and Excellence in Education ■ Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley (Education) ■ B.A., University of California, Berkeley (Ethnic Studies) ■ Research Areas: I am interested in youth literacies, cultural studies in education, ethnic studies, culturally responsive pedagogies, digital media, urban education, issues of equity, and critical qualitative inquiry. While poetry, media production, and the arts remain central to my work, recent studies have focused on youth's participation in educational settings with an emphasis on information and communication technologies to illuminate teaching and learning experiences and processes of becoming that support youth's academic, career, and life trajectories.

■ Fun Fact: I served as head coach of girls and boys volleyball teams; also loved to play.

■ Email: kjocson@educ.umass.edu ■ Office: S140 Furcolo

Dr. Sangeeta Kamat

Professor of International Education ■ Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh (Education) ■ M.A. Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai ■ Research Area: 1) Transformations in higher education in India, 2) cultural politics of education in postcolonial and diasporic contexts, and 3) politics of aid and development in the 'Third World’

■ Fun fact: I would love to write a novel some day.

■ Email: skamat@educ.umass.edu ■ Office: N162 Furcolo

Dr. Jamila Lyiscott Assistant Professor of Social Justice Education ■ Ph.D., Columbia University Teachers College M.A., Hunter College (Black Literature) ■ Research Area: social justice, race, literacy, Black Studies, Youth Participatory Action Research, Hip Hop, critical media studies ■ Fun Fact: I am a Harry Potter enthusiast.

■ Email: jlyiscott@umass.edu ■ Office: S130 Furcolo

My words of advice for college students of color is to pursue their life dreams and remain humble and courageous in the process. Have Faith, Humility, and Courage to challenge yourself and step out from the boundaries and walk into the unknown. Remain open and genuine to any challenges and develop a belief that you CAN & WILL succeed! Keep the faith to learn from so many endless possibilities and experiences.

Be courageous in the struggles on the quest of conquering obstacles. Remember that accomplishing any dream without struggle, there is no progress.

My Favorite Quotes: ~"If there is no struggle, there is no progress" - Frederick Douglass !"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

WORDS OF WISDOM – DR. JONIQUE CHILDS

Dr. Jennifer Randall

Associate professor of Research, Educational Measurement, and Psychometrics Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Director of Evaluation for the Center of Educational Assessment

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Ph.D, Emory University –

M.A.T., Duke University

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B.A., Duke University

Research Areas: Applications of the Rasch Model, Classroom Assessment, Grading Practices, Social Studies Education, Test Accommodations

Prior to her graduate studies, Dr. Randall taught pre-school and high school social studies for several years. Her research interests primarily reflect the measurement issues and concerns she encountered as a classroom teacher which include the the grading practices/philosophies of teachers, the validity and practicality of test accommodations for students with disabilities and English language learners, and rater accuracy. Dr. Randall is also interested in applications of the Rasch Model. Currently, she teaches courses in research design, scale development, introductory statistics, and classroom assessment.

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Fun Fact: I was detained by the police in the DRC -for taking pictures of a military tent- until a colleague showed up with the bribe money for my release.

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Email: jrandall@educ.umass.edu

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Office: W114C Furcolo

Dr. Tammie Samuels

Lecturer of Special Education Undergraduate Special Education Program Coordinator

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Research Area: Dr. Tammie Demetri Jenkins Samuels, is a Special Educator and fervent implementer of culturally relevant pedagogy who recently worked in inner-city and urban school districts with scholars who were fearless, supportive, aware, and unique. Her goal is to assist 21 st Century teachers in reaching minority students through a relevant, practical, and culturally infused curriculum. Dr. Samuels believes an educator’s pedagogy is the most important knowledge to be gifted to a student.

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Fun Fact: I 100% enjoy foraging around at Tag Sales to find old sterling silver flatware that reminds me of my childhood.

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Email: tsamuels@umass.edu

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Office: S166 Furcolo

Dr. K-C Nat Turner

Associate Professor, of Teacher Education and Curriculum Studies Doctoral Concentration Coordinator of Language, Literacy, and Culture

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Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, Ed.M, Harvard University (Education Administration), B.A., Brown University (Africana Studies and Political Science)

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Research Area: Dr. Turner's research and courses span the areas of language and literacy practices of culturally and linguistically diverse urban adolescents (particularly African Americans) in school and non-school settings; racial justice/reparations in education; hip hop culture; emergent technologies and mindfulness.

Dr. Turner is a socially engaged researcher and ceaseless seeker of knowledge who embodies the qualities of a global ambassador of love. Dr. Turner is prolific at conceptualizing ways of engaging historically marginalized youth, K-12 teachers, universities and community organizations in social justice projects that support the development of youth multimodal literacies. He has published in peer review journals such as the Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy (JAAL), The Educational Forum, International Journal of Critical Pedagogy and in The Handbook of African American Language. New York: Oxford University Press (2015). Dr. Turner has an established reputation as an educator and social justice organizer over the last 20 years working in schools in the U.S., Ghana and Japan and has received research funding from the Spencer Foundation, Mellon Foundation, and the National Science Foundation.

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Fun Fact: A teacher's teacher, I am a learner/practitioner of the Raja Yoga Tradition across multiple global contexts.

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Email: nturner@educ.umass.edu Office: W254 Furcolo

Favorite Quotes • “Come celebrate with me that everyday something has tried to kill me and has failed." - Lucille Clifton • "Get back to work, young people"

WORDS OF WISDOM– DR. JENNIFER RANDALL

Dr. Laura Valdiviezo

Associate Professor of Language, Literacy, & Cultures Director UMass Center for Latin American, Caribbean and Latino Studies (CLACLS) ■

Ed.D., Teachers College, Columbia University M.A., Clark University B.A., Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru

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Research Area - Dr. Valdiviezo’s interest is in re-conceptualizing and reforming schools as loci of change for social justice. Her work examines the role teachers play as political actors able to inform both policy and teacher education. She is also interested in the education of teachers as researchers using inquiry-based practice for the advancement of teaching theory and pedagogy.

As an ethnographer she has analyzed teachers’ interpretations of educational and language policy and their contributions to multicultural education and diversity in schools that host culturally and linguistically diverse students. Her research has taken place in international rural/urban contexts including Indigenous and Afro-Latin American communities and urban schools serving recent immigrant and refugee families in the United States.

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Fun Fact: By virtue of loving to dance, I never turn down learning a dance from any place in the world.

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Email: lav@educ.umass.edu

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Office: W255 Furcolo

Dr. Ximena Zúñiga Professor of Social Justice Education ■Research Areas - Social Justice Education Pedagogies; Student Learning and Development in Social Justice and Diversity Education; Critical Inter-Group Dialogue Practices in College Campuses; and Action Research Dr. Zúñiga's background is in critical philosophy and critical pedagogy, participatory education, and action research. Her initial work was in literacy work and popular education in non-formal adult education programs in her native Chile. Before joining the faculty at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Dr. Zúñiga directed the Program on Intergroup Relations at the University of Michigan where she participated in developing the intergroup dialogue educational model in higher education. She has served as PI and Co-PI on several international, national and local grants including the Inclusive University Initiative at Pune University in India (Obama Singh Grant, 2013-2016), Multi-University Intergroup Dialogue Research Project (W.T.Grant & Ford Foundation, 2005-2008) and Pluralism and Unity Initiative at UMASS Amherst (W. & F. Hewlett Foundation 1998-2002). She is co-editor of Multicultural Teaching in the University (1993), Readings for Diversity and Social Justice (2001; 2010; 2013; (Routledge); Intergroup Dialogue: Engaging Difference, Social Identities, and Social Justice(Routledge, 2014). She is co-author of Intergroup dialogue in higher education: Meaningful learning about social justice(2007;Jossey-Bass) and Dialogues across difference: Practice, theory and research on intergroup dialogues (2013; Russell Sage Foundation). Recent articles and book chapters address racism, immigration & globalization issues in anti-racist education, diversity and social justice education in higher education, and theory, practice, and research on dialogues across differences in higher education and communities.

■Email: xzuniga@educ.umass.edu