Racial Equity Professional Institute: Advocacy, Access, and Accountability

New York

EdTrust–New York is a statewide education policy and advocacy organization focused first and foremost on doing right by New York’s children. Although many organizations speak up for the adults employed by schools and colleges, we advocate for students, especially those whose needs and potential are often overlooked.

West

EdTrust–West is committed to dismantling the racial and economic barriers embedded in the California education system. Through our research and advocacy, EdTrust-West engages diverse communities dedicated to education equity and justice and increases political and public will to build an education system where students of color and multilingual learners, especially those experiencing poverty, will thrive.

Massachusetts

The Education Trust team in Massachusetts convenes and supports the Massachusetts Education Equity Partnership (MEEP), a collective effort of more than 20 social justice, civil rights and education organizations from across the Commonwealth working together to promote educational equity for historically underserved students in our state’s schools.

The Education Trust, in partnership with the Alliance for Higher Education in Prison, hosted our second of three institutes that delve into racial equity issues faced by incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students.

Building on the first institute which centered on ensuring equity in Pell restoration implementation, the second institute focused on building the skills to address advocacy, access, and accountability. Participants in the September institute learned from expert staff, faculty, systems-impacted individuals, and state leaders, and engaged in a facilitated dialogue to create actionable strategies for their work.

Click through below to view all sessions from the event.

Introduction and Keynote by Dr. Kayla Elliott and Beth Richie

Flash Talks – Affordability/Access

Panelists defined college affordability and access for justice-impacted students inside and outside of incarceration.

Flash Talk #1

Panelist: Jarrod Wall, Justice Policy Fellow, The Education Trust

Flash Talk #2

Panelist: Dr. Terrence McTier, Director of the Prison Education Project, Washington University

Flash Talk #3

Panelist: Allan Wachendorfer, Senior Program Associate, Vera Institute of Justice

Commentator reflections on Affordability/Access Flash Talks

Description: Panelists summarized and expanded on flash talk discussions about college affordability and access for justice-impacted students inside and outside of incarceration. Moderated by Dr. Mary Gould, Director, Alliance for Higher Education in Prison.

Flash Talks – Advocacy

Panelists discussed advocacy efforts ensuring higher education access and success for justice-impacted students.

Flash Talk #1

Panelist: Orlando Mayorga, JEO Initiative/McCormick Reentry Policy Coordinator, Office of Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton

Flash Talk #2

Panelist: Rabia Qutab, Justice Policy Fellow, The Education Trust

Flash Talk #3

Panelist: Daniela Medina, Berkeley Underground Scholars

Commentator reflections on Advocacy Flash Talks

Panelists summarized and expanded on discussions about advocacy efforts ensuring higher education access and success for justice-impacted students. Moderated by Danny Murillo, Smart Justice Fellow, The Michelson 20MM Foundation.

Flash Talks – Accountability

Panelists defined accountability in the implementation of higher education programs for justice-impacted students.

Flash Talk #1

Panelist: Dr. Erica Meiners, Professor, PNAP/NEIU

Flash Talk #2

Panelist: Romarilyn Ralston, Program Director of Project Rebound, California State University, Fullerton

Flash Talk #3

Panelist: Dr. Kim Hunter Reed, Commissioner of Higher Education, Louisiana Board of Regents, State of Louisiana

Commentator reflections on Accountability Flash Talks

Panelists summarized and expanded on discussions about defining accountability in the implementation of higher education programs for justice-impacted students. Moderated by Dr. Wil Del Pilar, Vice President for Higher Education, The Education Trust.

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