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The Hidden Power in "The Embrace" Statue

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Over the #Juneteenth holiday weekend I took time to visit the new  #TheEmbrace  statue  in Boston Common. In seeing two things, I left thinking of one. What I saw first, as I approached from afar, were four arms and two figures creating a single shared moment. A permanent moment of intimacy for all time, for all to share. Upon closer examination the statue took on a different meaning.  I found two arms, covered in a suit jacket, laying atop others. In so doing they not only hug, but seem to rest in a comfort long sought as the lower, less dominant figure holds the embrace up not only structurally, but figuratively. The embrace it seems is not equal. Reflecting the type of hug one gives, or receives, at the end of battle. It is in this second reckoning, my mind wonders. To the countless, who sit in the shadows, buttressing beacons who point the way. Offering warm smiles, sharing warm words, sending warm thoughts. It is with that spirit that I share this with the count...
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The Failure of, and Oppression Perpetuated by, Academic Fiefdoms

  Let's end academic fiefdoms. They exist, and we see them constantly in written formats.   As I completed a  #blind -review of an  #academic  paper and was bothered; deeply. The literature review, where the work of others is recognized, was sparse.  Here are five reasons why it should not be: First, the methodology suffers.  Without understanding how others in the field examined the problem one's  #methodology  suffers. The implementation of many researched  #practices  also occur in other  #states  where  #scholars  have deployed a range of  #analytical   #methods  to understand on-the-ground perspectives. Ideally, literature reviews empower scholars to leverage the analytical thoughtfulness published by others.  Second, the discussion is shallow. A literature review pulling findings from existing scholars situates findings and discussions within a richer context allowing one to de...
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Looking Back at 100 In-person Talks

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It is an honor to be invited to give a talk, as agendas are often tightly packed. Recently, I hit 100 invited presentations, which led me to wonder: where have I been?  The answer is illustrated in the map above - which includes 76 cites(1). From Boston, MA to Conway, AR to Godfrey, IL and Plano, TX to major cities along the western coast and places in-between.  With each visit I get to better understand, and hopefully empower, the wonderful people and communities they create. To all that have invited me to been community with you I again share a sincere, thank you.  While a minor surgery has me sidelined for the next month, I look forward to being back on the road and in your town soon. In the meantime, I'm enjoying the chance to learn new tools like  Datawrapper  as I heal. Note:  (1)The map also includes places where I gave a "refereed" presentation; meaning I submitted a proposal that was peer-reviewed and accepted.
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Collecting Data that Matters for Today's Students

When I began in my role at the Lumina Foundation I often I'd get a pitch to build a data tool for "students." Yet when I asked for them to define what was meant by "students," the response was underwhelming.     This ocurred at a time when enrollment drops and  #attainment  data showed what we needed was an effort to reach  #todaysstudents  ,particularly  #adults  who identify as  #black ,  #hispanic ,  #nativeamerican  to empower them with the information they sought when deciding to enroll.   It is with that spirit, and understanding, that we engaged the thoughtful  Sova team of  Alison Kadlec   Verónica (Vero) Guajardo, PhD (she/her/ella) Stephanie Gardner, Ed.D.   Quintina Barnett Gallion  to conduct this research.  The goal of which was to hear directly from adult students of color to help ensure that current and future data tools feel relevant and useful to them ...
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