Alumni – Page 6 – Institute for Recruitment of Teachers

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!

Your Job Now is to Tell Your Story

Anthony Garciano, IRT ’24

Hello! I’m Anthony, a current IRT scholar teaching third graders in Xiamen, China. It’s incredible to think that the brunt of graduate school applications is behind us, with many of us already receiving acceptances to stellar programs across the country. Congratulations! We’ve accomplished so much together, thanks in no small part to the IRT program and our advisors.

Navigating the Challenges of Applying to Graduate School: Finding Clarity Along the Journey

Michelle Lifson, IRT ’15, ’24

Throughout my journey of applying for a Ph.D., I have discovered a renewed sense of purpose. While my passion for teaching remains strong, I am eager to expand my impact by implementing my ideas for supporting students on a larger scale. As an elementary Special Education teacher in a self-contained classroom for students with emotional and behavioral needs, my aspiration is to integrate Culturally Responsive Teaching with Trauma-Informed Education. I aim to develop methodologies that educators can use to support students who are at risk for or currently experiencing emotional and behavioral disorders (EBDs). Creating a safe, supportive, and nurturing classroom environment is essential to prevent further trauma and escalation. My successful approach as an educator has reinforced my commitment to helping other teachers cultivate similar environments. Ultimately, I envision myself transitioning into academia after completing my Ph.D., where I can contribute to the field and support fellow educators.