Diversity Matters EDGE Newsletter
A NOTE FROM NOELLE
I have long admired Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Of course, I did not know him personally, but I suppose I have always been attracted to those who value others’ humanity and who do so at times when divisions are quite strong. As such, there are several nuggets of his wisdom that resonate with me, and that I find myself returning to.
At the time of his death in 2021, people from all over the world and all walks of life commented on Tutu’s impact on the world. But what strikes me is the breadth of relationships, partnership, collaboration, and reconciliation to accomplish all that he did. I believe that he understood the importance of these to solving problems and to leaving his sphere of influence better than he found it.
Relationships in all their forms have been essential to building and sustaining the work of EDGE. In fact, many of those we work with consistently cite relationships as the biggest benefit of working with the college. As you explore these pages, you will get a glimpse of some of these relationships and some of the work we have been engaging in across the college, campus, and community. As always, we hope you see work that affirms your own humanity and sparks ideas of how you might continue with us in bringing that same humanity to and for others.
As I sit at my desk writing this, the EDGE office has completed four consecutive weeks of hosting various institutes, student recruitment summits, professional development, and community engagement activities. Needless to say, we all felt a bit overwhelmed. But again, I found a quote from Tutu appropriate for the occasion—a reminder that the state of overwhelm has its purpose.
“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” – Desmond Tutu
In humanity,
– Noelle Arnold, PhD
Senior Associate Dean and Director of EDGE
Professor of Educational Administration
MEET THE STAFF…and the best show we watched or listened to this semester…
Noelle Arnold, PhD
Senior Associate Dean;
Professor of Educational Administration
“I am currently finishing up the TV show Silo.”
Christine Fagan, EdD
Special Projects Manager
“I haven’t had much time for TV, but we enjoy all of the Chicago shows (Med, Fire and PD). We spend a lot of time catching up on DVR. “
Carlotta Penn, PhD
Senior Director of Partnerships and Engagement
“I’ve been listening to the Criminal podcast. One of my favorite episodes to listen to with the kids is about sneaky, crime committing animals!”
Jenna Azotea
Global Education Specialist
“It’s been a lot of re-watching “comfort” shows for me. Schitt’s Creek is a personal favorite!”
Neal McKinney
Graduate Research Associate
“Yellowjackets on Showtime, it’s been living rent free in my head since I started it.”
Austin McClellan
Graphic Designer
“I’ve been watching the remake of the anime Trigun: Stampede on Crunchyroll with my brother. It’s definitely been a wild ride compared to the original!”
Tei Street
Education Director of Health Science Academies
“Currently enjoying all the summer cooking competitions on the Food Channel, especially East Coast/West Coast Beach Brawl.”
Ryann Randall
Assistant to the Director
“Game of Thrones.”
John Rensink
Senior Director, The Bright Initiative
“The Diplomat.”
Muhammad Khalifa, PhD
Professor of Educational Administration;
Executive Director of Urban and Rural Initiatives
“Snowfall.”
COLLEGE AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Featured Program – Equity and Diversity Read Around – Experience EHE Art Reception
EDGE collaborated with Experience EHE Week to host an art reception featuring mixed media murals and letters by 3rd grade Berwick Alternative Elementary students. The art is inspired by the book: The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read by Rita Lorraine Hubbard. EDGE Senior Director of Partnerships and Engagement Carlotta Penn and Program Specialist Ryann Randall led this initiative, working with Berwick Alternative Elementary teachers to determine art direction and coordinating all aspects of the exhibit and reception.
Throughout the month of January 3rd grade Berwick Alternative Elementary students participated in a literacy and arts-based project based on The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read, by Rita Lorraine Hubbard. On February 15, students showcased art and their letters written to Mary Walker at an intimate reception as part of Experience EHE Week.
The Equity and Justice Read Around initiative (Read Around) supports literacy and arts programming in collaboration with Columbus-area school districts, libraries, and other community groups. The purpose of the Read Around is to bring together educators and young people to read and discuss works related to justice and equity.
Anti-Bias Professional Development Course
Be the Change: Understanding Implicit and Institutional Bias is an online professional development course that centers on race, racial equity, and social justice for K-12 and higher education professionals. The higher education course is currently on CARMEN CANVAS and the K-12 course are now both available! Inquire for more information.
Project Leads:
Carlotta Penn, PhD
Christine Fagan, EdD
Urban and Rural Initiative
The Culturally Responsive School Leadership Institute concluded it’s sixth and final session in April. Educators and school and district leaders from across the State of Ohio participated in the free professional development.
Muhammad Khalifa, PhD
Professor of Educational Administration;
Executive Director of Urban and Rural Initiatives
Leading Anti-Racism Change In Education Summer Institute
LARC is a small group, cohort approach to building capacity to accelerate action and change toward racial equity and social justice in K-12 school districts. In its second year, five districts joined the program and participated in the professional development series from September –November. In January 2023 participants received tailored coaching and participated in site visits and additional workshops. Districts in Cohort #2 include: Columbus City Schools, Dublin City Schools, Hilliard City Schools, Olentangy Schools, and Westerville City School District.
Carlotta Penn, PhD
Project Lead
BRIGHT
BRIGHT launched its 3rd cohort in AU 23, and fellows have since been busy with monthly on-campus sessions and individual and team-based work outside the classroom. The fellows are currently wrapping up their 2nd term in the program and are preparing for an intensive summer ahead. During the summer, there will be several on-campus sessions, as fellows complete 5 more courses in EHE and FCOB, including topics on leadership in equity and special education, education law, strategy, and finance. Fellows have also received K-12 school district assignments for their year-long internship during the 2023-2024 academic year. They will soon be connecting with their hosting principals and building leadership teams to prepare for their internship experiences to begin in August. In addition to learning a wealth of knowledge from their courses, fellows are learning a lot about each other and themselves as they continue their journey in BRIGHT and navigate what it means to be a leader in education.
John Rensink
Senior Director, The Bright Initiative
Leadership for Equity Institute
The College of Education and Human Ecology, in partnership with Columbus City Schools and the Wallace Foundation, hosted The Leadership for Equity Institute, on June 20 and 21, 2023. The Institute is an annual opportunity for education leaders to engage with equity experts, practitioners, and colleagues on equity-based leadership practices. Participants sharpen skills by taking a deep dive into educational topics and innovative practices, participate in small group discussions and informal chats, and network with leaders and experts.
Equity centered leaders lead to equitable schools. The Equity Institute centers training for educational leaders with equity as a leadership process and an outcome. As a part of Wallace’s Equity Centered Pipeline Initiative (ECPI), the institute focuses on strong evidence and practice that produce educational leaders to advance their district’s vision of equity. The College of Education and Human Ecology works with the Wallace Foundation to accelerate leaders’ knowledge, skills, action and evidence-based practices towards equity in K-12 school districts through focused learning opportunities, professional development, and coaching.
Christine Fagan, EdD
Inclusive Futures
One of the goals of Ohio State’s Academic Plan is to create a university environment where all individuals can fully participate in the life of our campuses. In April 2023, faculty and staff from the College of Education and Human Ecology engaged in conversations that will continue to move us toward building a more inclusive Ohio State culture and create a community where all can feel they belong. We look forward to continuing this important work and advancing the goals of Ohio State’s Academic Plan through the framework of Inclusive Futures.
Monthly Awareness Initiatives
Hidden Figures: Women in Sciences
This spring, the EDGE Office celebrated the International Day of Women and Girls in Science by recognizing the valuable contributions of 11 Ohio women in the sciences. Through our Hidden Figures: Women in Science project, we celebrate the accomplishments of these Ohio women whose impactful work changes lives for the better daily. It is our hope that in highlighting their brilliance, compassion, and wisdom, future generations of young people will be inspired to pursue careers in the sciences, and all of us will better appreciate the role of women in the field.
- Feature included Laura Burke, Dira Delpech, Dr. Dorinda Gallant, Dr. Michelle Golla, Willa Handy, Dr. Sophia Jeong, Dr. Rebecca Kemper, Dr. Tiashe Letostak, Dr. Sultana Nahar, Dr. Keely Pratt, and Dr. Anita Somani
EDGE Sponsorships 2022-2023
Black Graduate and Professional Student Caucus (BGPSC)
38th Annual MLK Jr. Breakfast
Columbus Early Learning Center Gala
Hip Hop Literacies Conference
The American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE)
YWCA Women of Achievement
Vanderbilt’s Peabody College JumpStart Virtual Conference
19th Annual National Diversity & Leadership Conference, 45 complementary registrations for EHE community
EDGE Bookshelf Recap
The EDGE Bookshelf showcases the literary contributions of EHE faculty and staff whose work centers diversity, equity, anti-racism, and justice, and includes recommended readings from featured faculty members. It is our hope that the Bookshelf serves as one resource through which we can learn from one another as we continue to grow as an anti-racist, inclusive, and equity centered college community.
The EDGE office commemorated Black Girls in Education and Society (January 2023) Featured scholars included: Dr. Jacquelyn Meshelemiah, Dr.Tanya Middleton, and Dr. Elaine Richardson
The EDGE office commemorated Black History Month (February 2023). Featured scholars included: Dr. Cory Brown, Dr. Dorian Harrison, and Dr. Kamontá Heidelburg
The EDGE office commemorated Women’s History Month (March 2023). Featured scholars included: Dr. Aina Appova , Dr. Venus Evans-Winters, and Dr. Ashlyn Pierson
The EDGE office commemorated National Poetry Month (April 2023) Feature included: The Journal literary magazine, National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman, and the book, Respect the Mic
The EDGE office commemorated Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month (May 2023). Featured scholars included: Dr. Becky Huang, Dr. Ji-Young Choi, and Dr. Minjung Kim
Neal McKinney
Project Lead
EHE Legacies Recap
An EHE Legacy is a current or former EHE faculty, staff, or student whose contributions to the college and society are worthy of recognition. Since 1895, the College of Education and Human Ecology has played an important role in education at all levels and human development across the lifespan at The Ohio State University, the United States and around the world. The EHE Legacies project started in Fall 2019 and was created to explore the rich legacies of people, experiences, and accomplishments that have helped shape the College of Education and Human Ecology. We believe that a legacy starts with the knowledge and appreciation of the contributions of those who came before, which establishes a strong foundation upon which to build and progress.
Ryann Randall
Project Lead
Dean’s Diversity Post Docs
Tuba Gezar
Department of Educational Studies
Noemi Linares-Ramirez
Department of Educational Studies
Leslie K. Morrow
Department of Educational Studies
John Paul Anders
Department of Human Sciences
Cydni M. Robertson
Department of Human Sciences
Ye Shen
Department of Teaching and Learning
Human Trafficking Webinar
(January 2023)
In recognition of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, EDGE hosted a webinar entitled Keeping Black Girls Out of Traffick: A Discussion on Sex Trafficking and Carceral Public Systems, on Tuesday, January 17th, 2023.
According to the U.S. Department of State, “more than 27.6 million people — adults and children — [are] subjected to human trafficking around the world.” However, racial and ethnic minorities are at greater risk overall, and the majority of children who are sex trafficked are Black and Latinx. Internationally recognized for her research on and advocacy for the abolition of sex trafficking, Dr. Jacquelyn C. A. Meshelemiah shared her insights on the complex realities of sex trafficking and its disparate impact on Black girls during the virtual event.
GLOBAL HUB
I am currently in the era of toddler motherhood, and with that has come a new appreciation for animal facts. My children are constantly requesting something like, “can you search on your phone where to find salamanders in Ohio?” One of my long-time favorite animals is the bird. I appreciate birds for their ability to go far distances, alone or in a group, and return home when the time is right. Birds seem to understand the vast beauty in the world, the potential for exploration, and the value therein.
Many of the faculty, staff, and students of EHE must share this understanding. International partnership activities and Global Education programs are in a consistent state of full swing. As a college, we welcome dozens of international visitors each semester, send hundreds of students across the globe, and conduct and share research with colleagues from an array of national backgrounds and locations. Birds may have us beat on the gift of flight, but we know that there is more to going far than seeing cool things. Interacting with and learning from our globally diverse neighbors is intellectually stimulating, culturally enriching, and professionally gratifying.
Despite the high level of global engagement in EHE, there is room for immense growth. We hope that you will continue to partner in our efforts to expand cross-cultural competence of our students, faculty, and staff.
Carlotta Penn, PhD
Featured International Program
March 8 International Virtual Mini-Conference
For the second year in a row, EHE co-hosted a virtual conference with University of Tsukuba. This year, the focus was on Inclusive Education and Literacy and d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students. Fourteen faculty and staff from eight institutions in Japan and the United States offered presentations, and more than 100 attendees participated.
EHE Student Experience
Read about the recent travels of global EHE student, Igdalia Covarrubias Reyna
A doctoral student in Higher Education and Student Affairs, Igdalia Covarrubias studied abroad on the Sustainability and Social Justice in Ecuador program during Winter Break 2022.
Bon Voyage, Summer 2023 Programs!
Wishing our travelers on Indonesia FEEP and The European Model of Sport safe travels this summer!
Indonesia FEEP, led by Adrian Rodgers and Julie Hillery, takes place over four weeks in May in Jakarta and Bali. The program provides students with professional field observation placements related to their major (Education, Fashion & Retail Studies, or Hospitality & Tourism) and cultural excursions.
The European Model of Sport, led by Brian Turner and Nicole Kraft, was an 11-day study abroad program that focused on sport management, marketing, and sports law. Participants attended lectures by European sport executives, engaged in student workshops, and toured sport facilities. The program took place in May and traveled to Italy, France, Monaco and Spain.
The Multicultural Histories and Legacies of the United Kingdom group exploring London while learning about social change in a global context.
Students on the Hospitality, Tourism and Gastronomy in Paris program gaining insight into various segments of hospitality through hands-on and behind-the-scenes access to some of Paris’ most popular sites.
Jenna Azotea
Education Abroad Specialist
EHE Hosts International Delegations
Dr. Peter Paul hosted visiting scholar Dr. Tsuneo from the University of Tsukuba from February to March. During his visit, EHE and University of Tsukuba co-hosted the International Virtual Mini-Conference.
In March, Dr. Hisae Miyauchi and a graduate student visited to build on ongoing research and teaching collaborations with EHE faculty and staff.
During her visit to Ohio State, Dr. Keiko Ikeda of Kansai University (Japan) invited several colleges, including EHE, to participate in a multi-institution, grant funded partnership opportunity. Several EHE faculty and staff have joined the application to offer hybrid-mobility COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) courses to EHE and international students.
Dr. Caroline Benton of University of Tsukuba (Japan) presented an opportunity for collaboration with EHE scholars. Several EHE faculty and staff expressed interest and are working on a grant application for joint online courses and mobility programs.
