Category: Alumni

Support the IRT!

Hello IRT alums,

I’m Rachel Sacks from Phillips Academy, and I lead fundraising for the IRT. As alumni, you know the incredible impact this program has on scholars and the broader educational community. Importantly, the IRT depends on the generosity of friends and alumni like you – your gifts directly sustain the program and ensure it can continue shaping the next generation of educational leaders.

This year, our goal is 26% alumni participation – and every gift matters! Whether big or small, your support sustains the IRT’s mission, strengthens our alumni community, and fuels new opportunities for growth and impact.

Make your gift online today via this link or reach out to me directly at rsacks@andover.edu – I’d love to hear from you.

Thank you for helping the IRT continue to thrive!

With gratitude,

Rachel Sacks
Associate Director for Advancement Initiatives

Alumni Accolades, October 2025


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.


Continue reading “Alumni Accolades, October 2025”

Alumni Panels 2025 – 2026

Every year, IRT Scholars continuously express their desire to connect with alumni and whenever we have brought alums into the room with current students, everyone has an overwhelmingly positive experience. Thus, the IRT has curated an ever-growing series of Alumni Panels for which we annually seek new faces and voices.

For more info on these panels and to sign up to present, please visit the IRT Alumni Network.

Thank you to all IRT Alumni who have participated in our panels- it makes all the difference!

Panel Topics Remaining
December 2025 – February 2026

  • K-12 Educators & Administrators – Wednesday, December 3rd @ 6:00 pm ET
  • University Faculty/Administrators & Higher Education Staff & Student Affairs Professionals – Wednesday, December 10th @ 1:00 pm ET
  • Non-Traditional Career Pathways (non-profits, consulting, private business, government, public service) – Wednesday, January 7th @ 3:00 pm ET
  • Current Graduate Students – Wednesday, January 14th @ 1:00 pm ET
  • Applying to Graduate School Multiple Times – Wednesday, February 4th @ 1:00 pm ET
  • Fellowship Funding for Grad School  – TBD

IRT Mentorship Program

Did you know the IRT has an Alumni Mentorship Program 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.

To learn more or to get started, visit the online IRT Alumni Network.

Executive Director Letter, June 2025

Brooks photo

Congratulations to our IRT Scholars who have recently completed the IRT program and are preparing for their next steps! We know that this was not an easy year for graduate admissions, and we are proud of you regardless of your final decision. This year, I learned more from our scholars than I anticipated. I learned about their commitment, discipline, and unwavering hope and optimism, as well as their resolute belief in improving our education system, regardless of their location. I’m proud of what you accomplished, even if this year did not turn out as you anticipated.

Over the last few weeks, we have begun welcoming our newest cohort. This year, we experienced our highest virtual turnover ever for our Orientation, and we hope to continue building on our momentum of expanding our Summer Curriculum to all scholars via both asynchronous and synchronous virtual delivery. Our incoming cohort of over 130 scholars demonstrated a keen ability to articulate why they are invested in their research and goals at this critical time, as well as how this community can support one another. I am grateful to the IRT staff and Summer Workshop Faculty for developing and delivering our content.

Continue reading “Executive Director Letter, June 2025”