Ricardo Valencia, IRT ’06
The Santa Maria-Bonita School District‘s school board and superintendent have been awarded the 2025 LEAD Award at the California Latino School Board’s Association Unity Conference in San Diego. Valencia is one of the school board members who was recognized for our leadership work.
Ricardo Valencia, IRT ’06 (second in from left)
Gabriel Peoples, IRT ’07
Gabriel’s new book, Goin’ Viral: Uncontrollable Black Performance, was published in the University of Illinois Press’ prestigious New Black Studies series in July. In it, Gabriel grapples with how Black people (as well as Black representations) have been going viral since before the Internet and after it. In each chapter, Gabriel focuses on a performance, considering its past, present, and future, and offers insight into how it went viral and continues to do so.
Diana Martha Louis, IRT ’07
Diana’s new book, Colored Insane: Slavery, Asylums, and Mental Illness in the Nineteenth Century, was published this month by Columbia University Press. Diana Martha Louis explores Black experiences and views of mental disability in the nineteenth century, shedding light on the lives and struggles of the “colored insane.”
Aria Halliday, IRT ’11
Aria’s book, Black Girls and How We Fail Them, was published with the University of North Carolina Press in February 2025. Aria was also appointed the Marie Rich Endowed Professor in Arts and Sciences at the University of Kentucky earlier this year – a designation that highlights her work on women’s issues. Congratulations!
Endia Hayes, IRT ’16
Congratulations to Endia, who was appointed as Assistant Professor, Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at UT, San Antonio this August. Endia is currently working on two book projects. Learn more about these projects and Endia’s research.
Stephen Lampkin, IRT ’19
Stephen recently received a doctorate in Curriculum & Instruction and Teacher Education from Michigan State University. Congratulations!
If you are an IRT Alum and interested in sharing your news with the community, please visit the online IRT Alumni Network!
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Institute for Recruitment of Teachers 