Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Maxine Greene, the noted philosopher of arts, aesthetics, and democracy in education, observed: "Justice, equality, freedom - these are as important to us as the arts, and we believe they can infuse each other, perhaps making some difference at a troubled time."

The April 2019 installment of GSEHD's Conversations that Matter speaker series took place at the GW Museum and Textile Museum, which hosted the "Enduring Ideals: Rockwell, Roosevelt & the Four Freedoms" travelling exhibit. Celebrated local educator, youth activist, and international hip hop artist Gabriel "Asheru" Benn, founder of the Hip Hop Educational Literacy Program (H.E.L.P.), discussed how arts in education can provide a means for uplifting children with GSEHD's Dr. Maia Sheppard, assistant professor of curriculum and pedagogy, using the exhibit as a springboard for the conversation.

Read the GW Today article

(Image courtesy of Harrison Jones/GW Today)

GSEHD alumnus Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee, (Master's, School Administration) the new Chancellor of D.C. Public Schools, was highlighted in AFRO.com's article, "New Chancellor Meets and Greets the Community."

GSEHD alumnus Dr. David Surratt (Ed.D., Higher Education Administration) has been confirmed by the Oklahoma University Board of Regents as the new dean of students and vice president of student affairs.

GSEHD alumna Sazara R. Johnson (master's, Educational Technology Leadership) published an article entitled, "Maneuvering Games of Business Politics with Design Thinking" in the journal Performance Improvement.

GSEHD alumna Dr. Maranda Ward (Ed.D., Curriculum and Instruction), has been appointed as a member of the D.C. Department of Health Commission on Health Equity.

GSEHD alumna Munazzah Ghazanfar (master's, Elementary Education) was named Outstanding New Teacher at Bailey's Elementary School, a GSEHD partner in Fairfax County, VA. Ms. Ghazanfar was also the 2016-2017 Beck Endowment recipient while she was in GSEHD's Elementary Education Program. Congratulations!

GSEHD student and U.S. Army Sergeant, Devin Thomas (master's, Educational Technology Leadership), performed as part of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) International Band, the official musical representative of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). He can be seen in this video at 2:01.

GSEHD student Kavita Meegama (master's, International Education) was selected to present two of her group papers at the Comparative International and Education Society conference in San Francisco. She will be presenting "Eastern Wisdom Traditions and Implications for Education" and "Sustaining Educators: Skills for Embodied and Empathetic Attunement."

GSEHD alumna Dr. Lisa Toppin (Ed.D., Human Resources Development) received a 2018 Walker's Legacy Power Award. According to the Walker's Legacy press release, "The Walker’s Legacy Power Awards program is part of a national effort by the Walker's Legacy organization to recognize the achievements of notable business and community leaders. In total, Walker’s Legacy honors 150 women through its local #WLPower15 awards which take place in the organization’s 10-city footprint. The recognition celebrates multicultural women who thrive in an array of industries including social entrepreneurship, business, technology, media, and real estate among others."

GSEHD doctoral student Chilanay Safarli (Human and Organizational Learning) from Azerbaijan collaborated with GW's International Services Office (ISO) to organize the Azerbaijani Cultural Celebration at the GW Museum and Textile Museum. GSEHD doctoral student and ISO Director Jennifer Donaghue (Higher Education Administration) offered the welcome remarks. Azerbaijani Ambassador to the United States, Elin Suleymanov and Chairman of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora, Fuad Muradov gave speeches as well. The event included a presentation about the Azerbaijani culture by Chilanay and GW student Yashar Aliyev, an opportunity to taste Azerbaijani food, a dance performance by children from Azerbaijani School at Georgetown, and a chance to see the Azerbaijani carpet exhibition at the Textile Museum.

The event was covered by Azerbaijani media.