IRT Virtual Summer Workshop 2023

The IRT Summer Workshop in July focuses on advancing scholars preparedness for graduate school and a career thereafter through an equity-centered curriculum. The IRT has planned a series of virtual events with the consortium, alumni, and summer faculty and has adapted the curriculum for online engagement.

Alongside professional and academic skill development, alumni panels, and advising webinars, scholars also will have first-hand access to IRT Consortium graduate school deans, staff, and faculty via the virtual IRT Recruiter’s Fair held during the middle of the month.

IRT Summer Workshop Co-Chairs

Heather Moore Roberson (IRT ’07 & ’10), Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Allegheny College; M.A./Ph.D. American Studies, Purdue University

Heather Moore Roberson is a champion of inclusive excellence who partners with various stakeholders to advance initiatives related to race, equity, and justice in higher education.  After over a decade of experience as a college and university professor, Heather knows that meaningful educational experiences happen when faculty and students are willing to be vulnerable and critically engaged in the active pursuit of lifelong learning. She is an expert in critical race pedagogy, childhood studies, and justice learning.  In the last five years, she has supported students, faculty, and staff at different institutions as she folds diversity, equity, and inclusion into every facet of her academic identity.  Heather has served as summer faculty since 2016.

Ryan Sermon (IRT ’10), Regional Director of University Partnerships, Global Campus, Southern New Hampshire University; Ph.D. Candidate, Higher Education, University of Arizona; M.A. Higher Education, University of Arizona 

Ryan Sermon is pursuing a doctorate in higher education from the University of Arizona. His graduate coursework explores college access, equity and sociology; his dissertation topic focuses on the everyday experiences of single mothers in college. In his current role he directs and manages community college and corporate accounts across ten states by collaborating with Community College System colleges and system staff to seek synergies and partnerships between workforce and degree seeking programs in the state. He brings a breadth and depth of knowledge and experiences in admissions, recruitment, career services, learning support services, academic advising, teaching, and many other areas critical to IRT.

~IRT Summer Faculty~

• Joe Baez, IRT ’18 – PhD candidate, American Studies, George Washington University
• Guadalupe Barrientos, IRT ’20 – PhD candidate, Educational Linguistics, Culture & Language, University of Pennsylvania
• Aaron Benavidez, IRT ‘ 11 – PhD Candidate, Sociology, Harvard University
• Yanil De La Rosa-Walcott, IRT ‘19 – EdD Candidate, Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education, University of Pennsylvania
• Khrysta Evans, IRT ’18 – PhD candidate, Educational Policy Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Armando Martinez, IRT ’19 – MS, Higher Education & Student Affairs, The Ohio State University
• Astrid Moises, IRT ’08 – MS, Early Childhood General & Students with Disabilities, Touro University
• Margaret Perez-Brower, IRT ‘ 11, ’15 – PhD, Political Science, University of Chicago
• Toby Wu, IRT ‘ 09, ’21 – PhD candidate, Educational Leadership & Policy Studies, New York University