Associate Director & Manager of Programs Letter – Institute for Recruitment of Teachers

Associate Director & Manager of Programs Update, Fall 2026

Cultivating Possibility: Reflections on Community, Connection, and the Graduate School Journey

From the Summer Workshop to Recruiters’ Weekend, advising, and SOPA onboarding, IRT scholars, staff, faculty, alumni, and Consortium recruiters continue to build pathways grounded in belonging, purpose, and collective care.

As we move further into the IRT year, I find myself reflecting on the wisdom, generosity, and commitment that make this community so special. Over the past few months, we have been reminded that preparing for graduate school is about far more than applications and admissions decisions. It is about discovering possibilities, building meaningful connections, and recognizing the strengths scholars already possess.

At every stage of the process, we have witnessed people showing up for one another in meaningful ways. Scholars have encouraged their peers, faculty have shared their knowledge generously, alumni have offered guidance and perspective, and recruiters have helped scholars imagine new pathways forward. Together, these moments remind us that access is strengthened when we invest in one another’s growth and success.

Associate Director & Manager of Programs Update, June 2026

Meeting the Moment: Summer at IRT

At IRT, “meeting the moment” isn’t just a phrase; it’s a practice. It shows up in how we design programs, support scholars, and build community. This month, that spirit has been especially visible across our newest initiatives and shared experiences.

Welcoming a New Cohort: Energy, Connection, and Strong Beginnings

We recently launched our newest cohort and they came in with energy, curiosity, and a clear commitment to engaging fully from day one.

At our first All Cohort Meeting, scholars actively participated in RingCentral Events, contributing both on stage and in the chat. Their eagerness to connect with one another was immediately clear, setting a strong tone for the months ahead.

This successful launch is thanks in large part to the leadership of Leislie Godo-Solo, IRT ’91, Education Program Specialist, alongside Alba Lamar, IRT ’14, our new Arts and Sciences Program Specialist. Their thoughtful communication and detailed preparation ensured that scholars felt confident and ready to begin. From syllabus walkthroughs to onboarding touchpoints, the feedback has been consistent: scholars felt prepared.

Since launch, the team has kept the momentum going through weekly webinars, alumni panels, and cohort social hours, creating multiple pathways for connection, learning, and community-building.

Associate Director & Manager of Programs Update, March 2026

Spring Advising: Wherever You Are, We Are With You

Spring has always been a season of transition, and this season is no exception. Some of you are sitting with exciting news. Others are experiencing uncertainty, disappointment, or exhaustion. IRT holds space for all of this. However this application season landed for you, know that you are still seen, still supported, and still very much a part of this community.

Congratulations to Our Admitted Scholars

We know that several of you have been admitted into your graduate programs of choice. Congratulations! We are so incredibly proud of you. This is the result of your own hard work, your courage to keep going, and the knowledge and vision you have been carrying all along. We cannot wait to see where this next chapter takes you.

Associate Director & Manager of Programs Update, January 2026

Reflections on Growth and Transformation

As our IRT Cohort wrapped up their graduate school applications, we came together for our third IRTA meeting to celebrate how far each scholar has come. I designed a four-quadrant reflection activity that asked them to explore the wisdom they’d reclaimed, the resistance they’d pushed through, the relationships they’d built, and the uncertainties they’d learned to navigate. What unfolded was a powerful portrait of collective growth, individual transformation, and mentorship as a practice of reciprocity.

Discovering Worth: From Doubt to Recognition

One of the most striking revelations across the cohort was the journey from self-doubt to self-recognition. Many scholars entered the process underestimating the value of their own experiences, whether due to imposter syndrome, unfamiliar academic contexts, or comparison with traditional paths.

“I thought it would be seen as a ‘burden’ or reason that schools may not see me as a good candidate,” shared one parent scholar in our cohort, speaking about balancing family responsibilities with academic aspirations. Through the statement of purpose advisor (SOPA) process, they learned to reframe this not as a liability but as evidence of resilience and commitment.

Another scholar, who had spent years in community-based work rather than traditional research settings, initially worried about their unconventional background: “I thought that me working at the Y wasn’t as valuable as being published, having a research background, or interning at a fancy firm.” Their SOPA helped them recognize that direct community engagement offered irreplaceable insights for their research.

Associate Director & Manager of Programs Update, October 2025

Celebrating Our Summer Workshop

As autumn leaves begin to fall and a new season unfolds, we pause to celebrate the incredible community that came together to create our Summer Workshop (SW). This year’s curriculum asked a bold question: What does it mean to be a professional intellectual? And together, our IRT community rose to answer it.

A Standing Ovation for Our Co-Curriculum Coordinators

Our deepest gratitude goes to our Summer Workshop Co-Curriculum Coordinators—Heather Moore Roberson, Ryan Sermon, and Renée Wilmot, whose visionary leadership shaped a Summer Workshop experience unlike any other. Drawing inspiration from IRT’s legacy while remaining responsive to this moment, they crafted a prescriptive curriculum that challenged scholars to grow in transformative ways—bringing back beloved traditions like the IRT ‘binders’ readings and scholar-led facilitation.