The Appian: The Student Publication of the Harvard Graduate School of Education

Published Monday, October 11, 2004
Election Secrets Revealed
Successful Candidates Share Plans, Dreams
By The Appian Staff

If they can leverage their eclectic resumes (Jennifer Cromwell worked both in a backwoods hut and a consulting firm), lofty ambitions (Sannisha Dale plans to become President of Jamaica), and substantial goals (Ann Nkiruka Ifekwunigwe hopes to address the "crisis in faculty diversity"), this year's Student Government Association will be a force to be reckoned with.

Read on to discover the backgrounds and plans of HGSE's newly elected student leaders. Those SGA members whose comments do not appear did not respond to The Appian's questions.

Describe your professional background and interests. I recently graduated from Brigham Young University (BYU) with a degree in American History and Communications. While an undergraduate I spent a semester studying abroad in Israel, some time learning Spanish in Mexico, a summer interning in the US Senate and 18 months serving a religious mission in inner-city Milwaukee. Most of my professional experience has come in the form of internships and teaching/research assistantships. I am relatively new to the field of education but am exploring education consulting and non-profit management

Why did you decide to run for SGA? I sincerely want to make a contribution to HGSE this year, to do what I can to enrich our collective experience here.

What are the biggest problems facing HGSE that SGA can impact? Specific challenges that SGA faces this year include: 1) effectively drawing on our resources (utilizing our funding, relationships with professors and with each other to meet our desired outcomes, etc.); 2) appreciating the rich diversity that HGSE enjoys while fostering unity; 3) leaving a legacy that future HGSE students will enjoy by looking for ways to improve processes, procedures, policies, etc.

What does success mean for you with respect to the SGA this year? Success to me would mean meeting the challenges outlined above. (The degree to which we are able to meet these challenges will largely depend on the level of input and participation we receive from the student body, which we very much encourage.)

What are two personal details that you'd like to share with HGSE? I'm not so sure I have an answer to this question. Let me think on it.

What is your future in politics? I certainly hope to be civically engaged in the coming years and particularly to influence education policy. I hope to end up in Washington DC following my time here at HGSE doing something in the political arena.

Describe your professional background and interests. I graduated from Boston College this past May. As an undergraduate, I led several organizations and volunteer service groups, such as Jamaica Association - President, African Student Organization - Vice President, Ghana Volunteer service Group - Leader, Antigua Volunteer Service Group - Leader, JA Dance Troupe - Founder/ Coordinator In addition, I am interested in issues concerning the Caribbean, Africa and the 3rd world. Currently I am working as Program Assistant for the Islam in the West Project.

Why did you decide to run for SGA? I believe that learning is an interactive process in which an individual takes and gives. Therefore, I want to give my time and skills to HGSE while taking knowledge from its faculty and student body. By doing so, I will have the ultimate learning experience.

Why do you think you were elected? Well, I was the only one who ran for secretary, but honestly I think it might be attributed to my personality and what I could bring to the table.

What are the biggest problems facing HGSE that SGA can impact? Diversity, Faculty Retention, etc.

What does success mean for you with respect to the SGA this year? Success means setting an agenda and executing it to the best of our ability.

What are two personal details that you'd like to share with HGSE? I'm a fun-loving individual who openly admits that I am knowledgeable of some things yet ignorant of many. So feel free to inform of what you know.

What is your future in politics? Working to improve Educational Policies in Jamaica and becoming the President of Jamaica one day.

Describe your professional background and interests. 5+years teaching public middle school math/science/algebra in Oakland, CA at Westlake Middle School. Primary areas of interest include equity of access to "academically challenging" subjects by reducing tracking/readiness testing; teaching algebra as a foreign language.

Why did you decide to run for SGA? I love to see people having a good time - this year should be filled with a strong spirit of the students. We are here for greater purposes than just graduate degrees - we are molding our foundations to go past HGSE. We should support each other while here, and have fun doing this! I also love to cook and entertain, so I'd like to share this passion with others...

Why do you think you were elected? My strong L&T cohort and my relentless enthusiasm for all things social.

What are the biggest problems facing HGSE that SGA can impact? The fact that we are all (okay, except for ~40 doctoral students - Go D!) here for only 1 year makes it difficult to see past our own experiences and come together for a greater purpose. SGA could help people to foster lasting connections that will help guide us after the next 9 months! Issues of diversity, access and excellence are all going to follow us when we leave Appian Way; it is important to build a network of educators who have similar ideals and who can support each other in the very difficult work of education!

What does success mean for you with respect to the SGA this year? I will feel successful if it is February and freezing cold and people still seem as bright and sunny as they did during orientation week! This will come if we have fun and enjoy our time by getting out of the library (though Gutman rocks!) and spreading warmth among ourselves

What are two personal details that you'd like to share with HGSE? I make a mean batch of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. I'm part Lithuanian and Slovak, and also concoct a tasty borscht.

What is your future in politics? I am not sure because I try to live in the present. This is the first office I have held since high school (12 years ago!) so I will see how it goes. I am sure it will be a valuable experience.

Program at HGSE: APSP, also known as Educational Policy and Management (continuing part-time, in my second year)

Describe your professional background and interests. I have a B.S. in Geography from the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada and from there have worked in administration for a variety of high tech and non-profit organizations. Currently I work full time at HGSE as the office manager for the Harvard Family Research Project (www.hfrp.org), and upon completion of my degree hope to enter the classroom as a teacher (either elementary, or middle school science). I hope to someday found and run an independent school.

Why did you decide to run for SGA? I have been actively involved in improving the sense of community at HGSE for the past 2 years through my work with the Staff Advisory Committee to the Administrative Dean (SACAD). I decided that I'd like to extend this passion and interest to work with and for student body as well. I love creating environments for fun and look forward to this opportunity to do so!

Why do you think you were elected? I believe my enthusiasm and excitement contributed to my election. I think that my institutional knowledge of HGSE is also an asset. Perhaps, too, others are also interested in a Spring Boat Cruise, as I suggested in my election blurb!

What are the biggest problems facing HGSE that SGA can impact? This is a tough question, as problems don't immediately come to mind when I think of HGSE. I hope that those with concerns can make SGA aware of them, so that we can work together to have a positive impact.

What does success mean for you with respect to the SGA this year? Success to me would mean a strong sense of community for all members of HGSE. Masters students are generally only here for one year, and we need to make the most of it! With respect to my position as Officer of Student Life & Social Activities, success will be seen in the events we sponsor, the turnout for these events- when everyone is having a blast and getting to know their peers!

What are two personal details that you'd like to share with HGSE? I have three cats: Rusty, Hunter, & Ophelia,and I aspire to own a 4x4 pickup truck in the near future!

Hometown: I grew up in Newton, MA, live in Cambridge, MA, and am a citizen of Geneva, CH.

Describe your professional background and interests. I've worked both as an actor and as a programmer for the video game industry. It was while I was on tour with a children's show that I realized I wanted to write plays about math. I feel that math is a very interesting subject, which is often taught in a very boring manner, and I'd like to be able to bring math to life and demonstrate its ideas and principles.

Why did you decide to run for SGA? Every community is determined by the individuals that make it up, and thus, as one of those individuals, I want to make sure that the community is the best place that it possibly can be. By getting involved, I can help shape and improve the reality of the campus.

Why do you think you were elected? It was either my sparkling, glittery posters... my powerful, radiant charisma... or the fact that no one ran against me.

What are the biggest problems facing HGSE that SGA can impact? I'm hoping we can address the problem of class sizes. I realize that there have been many cutbacks, in every department, and I'd like to work on minimizing their effects.

What does success mean for you with respect to the SGA this year? Now, my personal job is Vice President of Communications and Technology, which puts me in charge of Monday Morning Mailings and the website. Many people have told me that they don't read the website or the intranet, which I think is a problem. The information is right there for them! So, my biggest challenge will be luring people onto these sites.

What are two personal details that you'd like to share with HGSE? I am very proud of myself, because I overcame one of my fears in June, and went SCUBA diving with sharks. Granted, they were Caribbean Reef Sharks, which are pretty non-aggressive, but they were still BIG, and swimming around us, and we weren't in cages. Also, my favorite color is red.

What is your future in politics? Well, I have some politicking happening in the near future, when I head up to New Hampshire to campaign for Kerry this Saturday [October 9]! If anyone wants to join me, I have room in my car for 3 passengers...

Describe your professional background and interests. I am a recent undergraduate, and I plan on becoming a teacher in an urban district.

Why do you think you were elected? Because individual students knew the kind of person I was and wanted me to represent them.

What are the biggest problems facing HGSE that SGA can impact? The biggest problem facing HGSE, and maybe all of Harvard, is the lack of diversity among senior faculty.

What does success mean for you with respect to the SGA this year? Creating an environment that allows all students, especially students of color, to be successful at Harvard, and developing a framework for addressing our lack of the diversity that will produce both immediate and long-term results.

What are two personal details that you'd like to share with HGSE? I am single, and I have a car.

What is your future in politics? I've always wanted to be either Secretary of Education or President.

Describe your professional background and interests. I taught elementary school for fourteen years in Los Angeles, California. I have a Bachelors Degree in Human Development, a Masters Degree in Education, a Masters Degree in Administration, and I am Certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards as an Early Childhood Generalist. I am the Co-Director of the UCLA National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Project, and I am involved in a research project at UCLA, studying the disparity in certification rates between African American teachers and other groups pursuing National Board Certification. I was a Scholar at the Carnegie Academy for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning and an Adjunct Faculty member at Pepperdine University's Graduate School of Education and Psychology. I served on the Board of Directors of EdSource, an organization dedicated to clarifying California's complex education issues, and I was the Los Angeles Basin Membership Coordinator and an Executive Board member for the California Alliance of African American Educators. I worked in the United States Senate as an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow for a year, and in 2004 I became an ASCD Faculty Member, Presenter, and a Member of the Annual Conference Planning Committee. As a social justice educator, I am passionate about educational equity, and strive to ensure that all children—regardless of background—are afforded access to the highest quality education possible.

Why did you decide to run for SGA? I believe that everyone is enriched by a truly diverse learning community. I was concerned that there are only two incoming African American doctoral students at HGSE this year. In many of my classes, I am the only African American student.

Why do you think you were elected? I took several classes at HGSE this summer with a fantastic group of students. I sent them emails announcing my candidacy, and they were kind enough to support me. I’ve also been attending meetings of the Alumni of Color Conference Planning Committee and was able to garner the support of many of its members. In addition, I am taking a fair number of classes this semester and have had the opportunity to share my views about diversity with my classmates. Furthermore, I posted campaign materials around HGSE that listed my background and qualifications, and included a picture.

What are the biggest problems facing HGSE that SGA can impact? As a new member of the HGSE community, I am still learning what all of the problems are. From my perspective, issues of faculty and student diversity are among the most pressing. However, I hope to learn from fellow students and from other SGA Officers what their concerns are so that we can work together to address and correct the problems.

What does success mean for you with respect to the SGA this year? As an Officer for Diversity, I would feel successful if SGA were able to:

What are two personal details that you'd like to share with HGSE? My middle name, Nkiruka, means “Hope for the future/The future will be brighter,” and my last name, Ifekwunigwe, means “Strength in unity.” I taught myself Greek one summer while on vacation in Santorini. Although my skills are quite limited, I would love to practice the language with a native speaker.

What is your future in politics? The year I spent in the U.S. Senate highlighted the need for more educators—especially practitioners—to be more actively involved in educational policy making. My goal at the moment is to become the best urban superintendent I can possibly be. After that, who knows what the future will bring…

Describe your professional background and interests. After graduating from Emory University with degrees in music and creative writing (2003), I took some time to discover my passion before moving onto the next stage of life. Therefore, I stayed in Atlanta, Georgia, and worked for one year in the furniture trading business. In the meantime, I had been working with youth kids at my church as well as at the music center where I taught piano lessons. Through my interactions with these kids, I realized that one of my greatest desires is to see children grow and develop into well-rounded human beings. Upon leafing through Harvard's course catalog, I stumbled upon the work of Dr. Vanessa Fong, whose work on the One-Child Policy intrigued me. Therefore, I applied to HGSE, and here I am! My hope is to go to China in the immediate year after graduating from HGSE to work and to understand the educational, political, and social situation there. Seeing that China is in the midst of gargantuan changes, I hope to impart and receive knowledge on how to better the education system and educational experiences for students in China.

Why did you decide to run for SGA? My main goal for running for SGA was to meet and work with the amazing people who are a part of the HGSE community.

Why do you think you were elected? Honestly, I think that any one of the candidates would have had an equally likely chance to be elected since each candidate was incredibly capable. I cannot give a specific reason as to why I was elected, but I am just glad to have this opportunity to serve on SGA.

What are the biggest problems facing HGSE that SGA can impact? At this point, I am still learning more about HGSE and SGA. Yet from what I have observed, perhaps one of the biggest issues that HGSE faces is in the inherent nature of the program, in that it is only one-year and very transient. Therefore, people may feel less inclined to establish deep connections with others in the program, as each student would quickly go his/her separate ways upon graduation. The strength of HGSE, however, is also in the student body itself. I have seen an openness among people that is apparently lacking in other schools at Harvard. Therefore, my hope is that SGA will build upon this strength so that HGSE will become an evenstronger community of future educators.

What does success mean for you with respect to the SGA this year? As the Diversity Officer, my hope is to encourage others to become involved in the community, to promote awareness of the need for diversity on the campus and beyond. Success, at the end of the year, means that students at HGSE would have had many chances to meet one another, exchange ideas, and develop friendships across cultures.

What are two personal details that you'd like to share with HGSE? I love eating eggs, and my newest hobby is sword dancing (even though I don't practice it enough as I should!)

What is your future in politics? I don't anticipate becoming involved in politics in the future, but who knows?

Describe your professional background and interests. During the years between college and HGSE, I worked at a law firm, a startup, and, most recently, a consulting company. My interests lie in the areas of organizational behavior and teamwork, as well as how individuals determine their career paths. I'm also interested in researching how to encourage or facilitate good leadership, teamwork, and decision-making.

Why did you decide to run for SGA? It's a great opportunity to be immediately involved in the challenges faced by the school, and the decisions that are made. I think that HGSE offers some fantastic and unique educational programs and I am so happy to be involved in the administration of these programs.

Why do you think you were elected? I'm hoping that it was my obvious enthusiasm to serve the HGSE community!

What are the biggest problems facing HGSE that SGA can impact? I'm sure that I'll find out more challenges that HGSE is facing in the next few weeks, but at the moment it looks as though the rapid turnover of master's students is an issue. It's seems as though it's hard for HGSE to maintain continuity from year to year with student government, student groups, and connections with other schools within Harvard. I anticipate that SGA can help construct ways to maintain continuity from year to year, and class to class.

What does success mean for you with respect to the SGA this year? Success will mean that every student at HGSE feels welcome to participate in the decisions that are being made to shape their educations.

What are two personal details that you'd like to share with HGSE? 1. I procrastinate by cooking. 2. My favorite job so far (during college summers) was working in the White Mountains of NH, in a small backcountry hut accessible only by trail. Basically, I carried food, did search-and-rescues, and ran a hotel for a living. I completely loved it and have been looking to replicate those experiences in a more traditional work setting ever since.

What is your future in politics? I can safely say that I'm a lifelong Democrat: beyond that, time will tell!

Describe your professional background and interests. I've had internship and work experiences at nonprofits and colleges, particularly in development, and I spent a year teaching in France. I'm very interested in the governance and economics of higher education institutions and how those will affect future generations of college students.

Why did you decide to run for SGA? To be involved with the HGSE beyond my program and meet some new people

Why do you think you were elected? My personal statement, although brief, was a personable one. What are the biggest problems facing HGSE that SGA can impact? Too much to do and experience in not enough, hopefully SGA can harness the ideas and provide opportunities for networking and collaboration.

What does success mean for you with respect to the SGA this year? Success for me would be convincing people that unlike their high school or perhaps undergraduate student government, yes, HGSE's SGA has an impacts useful, dynamic, positive change for our Appian Way community.

What are two personal details that you'd like to share with HGSE? I love walking through Harvard Yard each day on my way to the Ed School, and for the first time ever I am getting to take a singing class through Harvard.

What is your future in politics? If I have one, it will be related to education issues. And I'm an active voter.

Hometown: North Haven, CT

Program at HGSE: Teacher Education Program

Describe your professional background and interests. I graduated from the University of Chicago in 2002. Since then I have been working as a Staff Assistant at the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, a Washington, DC based think tank. There I coordinated public policy forums and assisted in research on a wide range of social policy topics, including welfare reform, vocational education, and program evaluation techniques. I've always had a passion for education and decided to finally follow it by entering the Teacher Education Program.

Why did you decide to run for SGA? I want to be able to share my own voice and the voices of the student body with the faculty and staff at HGSE so that we and future classes can get the best education possible. Also, coming out of Washington, DC, I've realized that I have a strong interest in politics. I think the best place to make a difference though is on the local level. Right now, as part of the HGSE community, SGA is our "local government."

Why do you think you were elected? I think my experience as a student advisor to the dean at my undergraduate alma mater helped. In addition, I received a tremendous amount of support from my cohort in the TEP program.

What are the biggest problems facing HGSE that SGA can impact? As the members of SGA take office, I think this is still to be seen. I think we can continue to have a voice in planning for the HGSE move to Allston. I also think SGA should work with the administration to increase the diversity of the student body and the faculty.

What does success mean for you with respect to the SGA this year? I would like to be able to identify to most prominent academic concerns of the student body. Once these are identified, I would like to begin a dialogue and action with the administration and faculty about how we can address these issues. Even though the majority of us are only here for one year, it is important that we continue to improve HGSE for future classes.

What are two personal details that you'd like to share with HGSE? I'm the daughter of two teachers and the middle child of three girls. Here at HGSE, I am training to teach social studies on the secondary level.

What is your future in politics? That is still to be seen. I know that I would at least like to get involved
in politics within my own community, but you never know where that will take you.

Describe your professional background and interests. I worked for Ernst & Young as a management consultant for five years and spent 1.5 years in Madrid teaching ESL. My interests include sports, traveling, cinema and music.

Why did you decide to run for SGA? To help provide opportunities for HGSE students to get involved in sports on campus, to meet people within our school and throughout Harvard.

What are the biggest problems facing HGSE that SGA can impact? Due to the high turnover of students each year at HGSE and the short academic year (9 months), I believe the biggest challenge is to create community on campus. Hopefully, I can create some athletic outlets for students to get to know each other.

What does success mean for you with respect to the SGA this year? Host events that attract all students; host diverse events; host a holiday party.

What are two personal details that you'd like to share with HGSE? I'm a tennis nut, and I love movies (foreign and indie preferred).