Institute for Recruitment of Teachers

Executive Director Letter, June 2026

Summer 2026

It’s here!

After admitting our newest class and graduating our most recent, the IRT is thrilled to launch our newest summer workshop. This workshop will continue to build on our previous virtual delivery with curriculum delivery, Chalk Talks, Recruiters Weekend, and opportunities for scholars to demonstrate their learning. I am excited to see how our Summer faculty will continue to develop ways to support scholars through these shifts in higher education and greater society.

2025 IRT Cohort News

Congratulations to the 2025 Cohort! These scholars join the more than 3,000 IRT Alumni who continue to affect education through their work. The next chapter in their academic journey is about to begin, and we are excited to see their impact in the years ahead.

2025 IRT Cohort Matriculation Highlights

The top graduate fields of study include African American Studies, Education, Educational Psychology, English, History, Literature, History and Sociology.

71% of students reported matriculating to graduate programs
15% of students reported acceptance to four or more programs
57% of students reported receiving partial-to-full funding
41% of students reported receiving full funding

Associate Director & Manager of Programs Update, June 2026

Meeting the Moment: Summer at IRT

At IRT, “meeting the moment” isn’t just a phrase; it’s a practice. It shows up in how we design programs, support scholars, and build community. This month, that spirit has been especially visible across our newest initiatives and shared experiences.

Welcoming a New Cohort: Energy, Connection, and Strong Beginnings

We recently launched our newest cohort and they came in with energy, curiosity, and a clear commitment to engaging fully from day one.

At our first All Cohort Meeting, scholars actively participated in RingCentral Events, contributing both on stage and in the chat. Their eagerness to connect with one another was immediately clear, setting a strong tone for the months ahead.

This successful launch is thanks in large part to the leadership of Leislie Godo-Solo, IRT ’91, Education Program Specialist, alongside Alba Lamar, IRT ’14, our new Arts and Sciences Program Specialist. Their thoughtful communication and detailed preparation ensured that scholars felt confident and ready to begin. From syllabus walkthroughs to onboarding touchpoints, the feedback has been consistent: scholars felt prepared.

Since launch, the team has kept the momentum going through weekly webinars, alumni panels, and cohort social hours, creating multiple pathways for connection, learning, and community-building.

IRT’s Newest Team Member Dr. Alba Lamar, IRT ’14

Imanalla!
We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Alba Lamar, IRT ’14, has joined the IRT as our new Arts and Sciences Program Specialist. A Lënapehòkin-born Andean African-descendant, Alba is a lifelong artivist, educator, independent scholar, and widely published author. Her work is deeply rooted in the study of rematriation, Land-based knowledges, liberation, and abolition. Through the lenses of #guerrilladiscourse, Hip Hop, and Tattoo epistemologies, she explores thriving ontologies and anticolonialism.

Alba brings two decades of experience teaching students from infancy through college, including pre-service teachers. Her career is distinguished by the development of social and environmental justice curricula and resources for parents and educators, with a steadfast focus on Black Liberation, Indigenous Sovereignty, and sustaining, revitalizing pedagogies. Her professional journey has spanned Florida, New York City, Michigan, California, and Shanghai, China. An alumna of the 2014 IRT Associate Program, Alba earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum, Instruction, and Teacher Education from Michigan State University. She also holds a Master of Science in Education from CUNY Hunter College and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Linguistics from the University of Central Florida.

Dr. Alba Lamar, IRT ’14

Alba’s connection to our mission is profound. Following her doctoral studies, she served as an IRT Statement of Purpose Advisor in 2021, 2023, and 2025. In this role, she drew upon her lived experience and academic expertise to help aspiring graduate students craft powerful narratives that define their purpose and intellectual curiosity.

As she steps into the role of Arts and Sciences Program Specialist, Alba’s dedication to nurturing underrepresented future educators aligns perfectly with the IRT’s commitment to advocacy and mentorship. We are honored to have her expertise as we continue to expand career paths and elevate the next generation of educational leaders.

The 2026 IRT Cohort – By the Numbers

On May 18^th, the IRT welcomed the 36^th consecutive IRT Cohort of 104 scholars.

Despite the current and daunting educational climate in the United States, now, IRT Scholars remain steadfast in their desire to expand scholarship in their respective fields and make lasting changes to our K-12 and collegiate landscapes as diverse individuals and scholars who will push against traditional narratives that are perpetuated in their respective fields. They are excited about their IRT journey, the reasons they do this work, and the trajectory of their careers. They share their personal and academic dreams below and ruminate on why they engage in the messy work of education.

29.5% identify as Black/African American
35.5% identify as Hispanic or Latino
22% identify as Asian
14% identify as Native American/Alaskan Native, two or more races, other, and White.
54% identify as first-generation
52% identify as low-income
38% are first-generation and low income
Scholars represent 21 states, DC, Puerto Rico, and 9 countries
54% live in four states including California, New York, Michigan, and Massachusetts
78% are pursuing fields in the humanities and social sciences while 22 % are pursuing fields in education
Scholars attend 28 public universities, 32 private colleges/universities, 4 HBCUs, and two international universities.