This summer was invigorating not just for IRT Scholars, but also for those of us in the broader IRT community. During these difficult times in education, this community continues to inspire me. I saw these opportunities throughout our Summer Workshop as we built an intentional learning community.
It’s easy to look at our challenging circumstances and assume hope is lost. The Summer Workshop challenges those beliefs through the wonderful research of our scholars and the dedication of our Consortium Deans. I felt inspired by our deans as they discussed the issues at their universities and the research opportunities they find. Our Recruiters Weekend allowed scholars to connect with alumni, see evidence of their work, and acknowledge the realities of their experiences.
Breakthrough Greater Boston Careers in Education Fair, UNCF/Mellon Programs Conference, International Conference on Education & Justice and more…
The IRT team has been busy these past few months connecting at events. Highlights on the team’s travels below. Any IRT Alumni who plan to attend annual conferences or local events, let us know!
LaShawnda Brooks Executive Director, IRT
Breakthrough Greater Boston held their annual Careers in Education Fair this August at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. LaShawnda connected with talented teaching fellows exploring their paths to a career in education.
LaShawnda also attended Boston University’s Fall 2026 Education Policy Seminar Series in September. Dominique Baker, an associate professor from the University of Delaware presented on “Examining the Higher Education Policy Discourse Through 75 Years of Congressional Hearing Testimony.”
On October 1, Leislie presented at the UNCF/Mellon Programs Conference in Atlanta. The theme was Scholars Transforming the Academy: Centering and Stabilizing Scholar Activism in Times Like These. Additional IRT Alumni participating in panel discussions included Dominick Rolle, IRT ’09 is the Director of Undergraduate Research Programs, The Pathways Center, at Emory University, Julius Flemming, IRT ’08 Associate Professor of English at Washington University, Saint Louis, and Bria Paige, IRT ’18 a postdoctoral fellow at Dartmouth College.
Leislie will also be representing IRT and its program on October 22 at a Virtual Internship and Postbaccalaureate Research Programs Expo, hosted by Morgan State University and The Leadership Alliance.
by Catherine Wong, IRT Associate Director & Manager of Programs
This summer, IRT welcomed 100 scholars to a fully virtual Summer Workshop hosted by RingCentral Events focused on academic, personal, and professional growth. Through Critical Conversations, Writing for Graduate School seminars, Recruiters’ Weekend preparation, scholar presentations, alumni engagement, and community-building activities, scholars explored both the practical and personal dimensions of preparing for graduate education.
What stood out most in scholars’ reflections was a greater sense of confidence and clarity about how their experiences, identities, and aspirations could shape their futures and contribute to broader efforts toward equity and social change.
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.
Imanalla! We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Alba Lamar, IRT ’14, has joined the IRT as our new Arts and Sciences Program Specialist. A Lënapehòkin-born Andean African-descendant, Alba is a lifelong artivist, educator, independent scholar, and widely published author. Her work is deeply rooted in the study of rematriation, Land-based knowledges, liberation, and abolition. Through the lenses of #guerrilladiscourse, Hip Hop, and Tattoo epistemologies, she explores thriving ontologies and anticolonialism.
Alba brings two decades of experience teaching students from infancy through college, including pre-service teachers. Her career is distinguished by the development of social and environmental justice curricula and resources for parents and educators, with a steadfast focus on Black Liberation, Indigenous Sovereignty, and sustaining, revitalizing pedagogies. Her professional journey has spanned Florida, New York City, Michigan, California, and Shanghai, China. An alumna of the 2014 IRT Associate Program, Alba earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum, Instruction, and Teacher Education from Michigan State University. She also holds a Master of Science in Education from CUNY Hunter College and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Linguistics from the University of Central Florida.
Dr. Alba Lamar, IRT ’14
Alba’s connection to our mission is profound. Following her doctoral studies, she served as an IRT Statement of Purpose Advisor in 2021, 2023, and 2025. In this role, she drew upon her lived experience and academic expertise to help aspiring graduate students craft powerful narratives that define their purpose and intellectual curiosity.
As she steps into the role of Arts and Sciences Program Specialist, Alba’s dedication to nurturing underrepresented future educators aligns perfectly with the IRT’s commitment to advocacy and mentorship. We are honored to have her expertise as we continue to expand career paths and elevate the next generation of educational leaders.
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