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IRT 2025 Summer Workshop Framework

Grace Lee Boggs (1915–2015), the first Asian American woman
to earn a Ph.D. in philosophy from Bryn Mawr College, profoundly stated: “You don’t choose the times you live in, but you do choose who you want to be, and you do choose how you want to think.”

At the Institute for Recruitment of Teachers (IRT), the IRT staff with Co-Curriculum Coordinators, Heather Moore Roberson, IRT ’07, ’10, Ryan Sermon, IRT ’10, and Renée Wilmot, IRT ’12, ’17 – embark on planning the forthcoming Summer Workshop (SW), this sentiment guides our intent. We are committed to crafting a curriculum that meets scholars where they are, provides critical guidance to meet this moment, and demystifies the graduate application process. In shaping this year’s workshop, we have carefully considered feedback from our stakeholders, including current scholars, SW faculty, advisors, alumni, and our Consortium of Colleges and Universities.

Heather, Ryan, and Renée share their motivations and expectations for this year’s workshop.

Alumni Reunite for Summer Workshop Experience

The IRT is thrilled to have Heather Moore Roberson, IRT ’07, ’10 Ryan Sermon, IRT ’10, and Renée Wilmot, IRT ’12, ’17 return as Summer Workshop Co-Curriculum Coordinators. They took a few moments to share what brings them back and their expectations for this year’s workshop.

Heather Moore Roberson is the Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Allegheny College. Heather received her M.A. and Ph.D. from the American Studies program at Purdue University.

What motivates you to return as a Co-Curriculum Coordinator?

I have had the honor and privilege to serve as a member of the faculty since 2016. After I received my Ph.D., it was vital for me to get reconnected with the next generation of teacher scholars who will transform higher education. I would not be a faculty member/administrator if it wasn’t for the IRT Summer Workshop. IRT continues to be an integral part of my village. As a curriculum coordinator, I get to share my experiences and insights that will help scholars thrive in K-16 environments.

Alumni Accolades, April 2025

Délice Williams, IRT ‘96
Williams has a new article in the winter issue of the journal Modern Language Studies, which was published on Jan 31, 2025. Williams is an associate professor in the English Department at the University of Delaware.

Tiffany Joseph, IRT ’03
The release of Joseph’s newest book Not All In: Race, Immigration, and Health Care Exclusion in the Age of Obamacare is available via Hopkins Press, March 2025. Tiffany D. Joseph is an associate professor of sociology and international affairs at Northeastern University.

Read author commentary by Dr. Joseph.

IRT Mentorship Program

The IRT Mentorship Program aims to help alumni support each other at various points in their academic and professional careers. The program is designed to connect mentors and mentees and establish a one-to-one relationship that both find beneficial.

Leveraging the vast IRT Alumni Network through mentorship to share experiences and knowledge while making connections in your field is invaluable and a resource that can lead to a rewarding experience.

All IRT Alumni have access. Sign up online through the IRT Alumni Network!

PA Giving Day!

Mark your calendars! PA Giving Day begins on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

PA Giving Day represents a critical milestone in our fundraising efforts for IRT. This past year we raised over 30% of IRT’s annual support from 44 donors in just one day. This year our goal is to exceed last year’s success by engaging even more PA and IRT alumni and friends of IRT in this collective day of giving.

For those inspired to give early, please visit the PA Giving Day page here. Please be sure to select “Institute for Recruitment of Teachers” under the “designation” section. Any gift, of any size, made in advance of March 26 will count toward PA Giving Day totals.

Stay tuned for more details on our matches and challenges for IRT. Let’s rally to make this event a success!