University of Virginia | Curry School of Education

In 1953, Lindley Styles, the Dean of the Curry School of Education, conferred upon Walter N. Ridley the doctor of education degree. This was an occasion of historical magnitude because Ridley was the first African American student to earn a degree from the University of Virginia and the nation's first African American to receive a doctorate degree from a traditionally white Southern university.

Since that time, Curry has become a diverse community of faculty, students, and staff. This diversity extends across many different dimensions including racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, religious, and sexual orientation. Moreover, we are pleased that diversity in thought is becoming more prominent in our community and believe that exposure to multiple perspectives will more aptly prepare our students to meet the educational challenges of an increasingly complex and diverse society.

Though many strides have been made in this area, there is much more work to be done. Our quest is to create and sustain a learning community that purposefully and strategically acknowledges and values diversity and is committed to preparing educators and other professionals who will, through teaching, research, and service, contribute to a body of knowledge that will result in improved outcomes for all learners.

To accomplish this goal the office for diversity and equity in collaboration with the leadership team, faculty (including the faculty diversity committee), students, and staff will work to:

• Create a safe space where faculty, students, and staff can engage in courageous conversations about cultural issues that are often not addressed openly in organizations and institutions
• Increase diversity among faculty and students
• Work with faculty to transform the curriculum so that every student will be exposed to critical aspects of diversity and equity at the national and international levels in their courses, programs, and research apprenticeships
• Encourage and support collaborative research that addresses the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students/clients
• Develop pipeline programs designed to attract students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds into education and related fields at the undergraduate and graduate levels
• Recognize and honor faculty, students, and staff who demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity in their teaching, research, and/or serviceMaintain a calendar of special events and activities related to diversity and equity in education

Please allow me to welcome you as a valuable member of our diverse community. We look forward to working together as we inspire innovative teachers, develop dedicated researchers and strong leaders at the Curry School of Education.

Sincerely,

Stan

Diversity News

10th Annual Serpentine Society Fall Weekend: October 31-November 2, 2008
The Fall Weekend provides an opportunity for the Serpentine Society, LGBT community, friends and allies at U.Va to review the accomplishments of the prior year, recognize achievements by alumni, students, faculty and administrators and build momentum as we seek to attain equity and acceptance for all people at our University.

On Monday, September 15, 2008, the Curry School hosted Nathan Ballard, a lifetime activist for those with disabilities or "exceptionalities" as he calls it. Joined by his wife and son, Nathan spoke to an auditoruim filled with faculty, students and staff. He shared the compelling story of his life and of his ultimate decision to not only keep his cerebral palsy from standing in the way of living his life fully, but also becoming a full-time advocate for others with exceptionalities.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2009 Ford Foundation Diversity Fellowships Program for Achieving Excellence in College and University Teaching
Deadlines:
Predoctoral: November 14
Dissertation: November 28
Postdoctoral: November 28

Diversity Links of Interest

• Community Engagement at Curry
• Globalization in Education at Curry
• Diversity at the University of Virginia
• African American Teaching Fellows of Charlottesville/Albemarle
• The Day In The Life Program at U.Va.
• Asian / Asian Pacific American Students at U.Va.
• Programs and Services for Latino / Hispanic & Latin American Students at U.Va.
• LGBT Resource Center at U.Va.
• U.Va. Office of African American Affairs
• U.Va. Vice President and Chief Officer for Diversity and Equity

Articles and Other Resources

• 2009 Spencer Foundation Dissertation Fellowship
• Diverse Issues in Higher Education
• Latina Women & Higher Education
• Latina/o Pathway to the Ph.D.
• American Rhetoric Top 100 Speeches: Malcolm X
• NPR: StoryCorps Recording America
• PBS: Information on California Newsreel's 3-part Documentary about Race in Societey, Science and History
• PBS: An Exercise in Sorting People by Race
• Project Implicit
• Japanese American Internment Through Film and the Internet
• National Association for Gifted Children