Eric Endlich, Ph.D.’s Post

👩🔬 The American Council on Education reports: In an effort to address the underrepresentation of racially marginalized students in STEM graduate programs, ACE convened a new Innovation Lab to reimagine graduate education with an emphasis on equity, innovation, and workforce integration. The event opened with remarks from Hironao Okahana, ACE’s assistant vice president and executive director, Education Futures Lab. Lorelle L. Espinosa, program director at the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, which sponsored the lab, highlighted findings from ACE’s recent Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education: A Status Report. “Diversifying pathways is not enough to fill gaps,” said Darsella Vigil, senior analyst and program officer, Education Futures Lab. “Pathways and programs must be restructured to meet the needs of current and potential graduate students who look very different than the former traditional student.” Participants engaged in a series of discussion groups, where they were encouraged to think about dramatic changes and ideas that could help diverse groups move along STEM pathways. Among the standout proposals were: Industry Partnerships and Infrastructure at MSIs: Form an industry consortium to fund graduate education; create apprentice-like learning pathways with applied research; and build strong infrastructure at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) through strategic partnerships. Separate Research Funding from Student Supports: Ensure research funding is distinct from student support systems to promote student independence and fair distribution of financial resources. Reward Nontraditional Scholarship: Recognize and reward diverse forms of scholarship; reevaluate dominant knowledge frameworks; and use graduate student success as a measure of faculty and institutional performance. National STEM Talent Program: Launch a national initiative to develop STEM talent, similar to historical moonshot programs, to prioritize and advance STEM graduate education. Stackable Credentials: Create flexible educational pathways allowing students to earn incremental credentials, facilitating career advancement and enhancing the value of their learning experiences. “The ACE Innovation Lab’s efforts underscore the importance of collaboration between academia, industry, and funding bodies to create a more just and effective educational landscape,” said Okahana. “As the discussions continue, the hope is that these innovative ideas will lead to tangible changes, ensuring that minority students in STEM not only enter but thrive in their chosen fields.” #DiversityInclusion #RacialEquity #STEMeducation #STEMstudents #DiversityInEducation #DiversityInScience #HBCUs

🚀 We've been referring #neurodivergent high school students to this #NASA internship for years, and it's great to see what students are learning! You can find a link to more #internships, #scholarships and other opportunities in our blog post at https://lnkd.in/eC7dEirT. The NASA science editorial team writes: Two high school interns funded by NASA's #Neurodiversity Network (N3) presented their work from Summer 2023 at the recent National Space Society (NSS) International Space Development Conference, held in Los Angeles, CA. Both interns were mentored by Dr. Pascal Lee, Planetary Scientist at the SETI Institute and Chair of the Mars Institute, who accompanied them to the conference. Intern Finn Braun, who is now a high school junior, co-authored the paper "An ATV for the Moon" with Dr. Lee. He worked with a CAD program to develop the concept, which might be of interest to NASA's Artemis Program in the future. Intern Krista Heinemann, who has now graduated high school, co-authored the paper "New location for the 'Noctis Landing' candidate human landing site on Mars" in which she used NASA data about the Noctis Landing site provided by Dr. Lee to refine a possible landing location for future human missions to the surface of Mars. In addition to the oral presentations they gave, Braun and Heinemann lead-authored technical publications reporting their research. Braun and Heinemann were part of the 2023 N3 intern cohort, which included 19 other high school students, each paired with a NASA Subject Matter Expert as a mentor. The N3 internship program is now beginning its fourth summer with a new cohort of 21 additional interns. Dr. Lee noted, "Finn and Krista were outstanding interns, who now each have lead-authored scientific/technical publications while in high school. I am sure they will each do great things in the future." NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lynn Cominsky Ariana Riccio Arista Wendy Martin #STEMeducation #STEMstudents #PlanetaryScience

Randall Barnes reports: #HBCUs are witnessing a remarkable surge in applications and enrollments. This trend is highlighting the growing importance and appeal of these institutions, as Forbes highlights in their article, “Why Applications To Historically Black Colleges Are Surging”. Last school year, numerous HBCUs saw significant increases in admissions and acceptances for the class of 2027. Notable institutions with higher enrollment included Fort Valley State University, Albany State University, Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, Clark Atlanta University, and Morgan State University, among others. Forbes highlighted Howard University, Florida A&M, and Edward Waters University. Several factors have contributed to this unprecedented rise in interest and enrollment at HBCUs. One significant driver is increased media attention and endorsements from influential figures and celebrities. Dr. William E. Hudson, Vice President of Student Affairs at #FAMU, credits this heightened visibility for the surge in applications. “With influential figures showcasing the success of HBCUs, it's no surprise that students are drawn in,” said Dr. Hudson in an interview with Forbes. Meanwhile, Jennifer Price, Vice President of Enrollment Management at Edward Waters, told Forbes that increasing student admissions has enhanced the school's reputation and influence, creating a positive feedback loop that attracts even more high-quality applicants in the future. “There is a growing recognition of the unique cultural and educational experience that HBCUs offer,” Price told Forbes. “These institutions provide a supportive and nurturing environment where students can thrive academically and personally, surrounded by peers, staff, and faculty who understand their backgrounds and experiences.” The Forbes article also highlighted recent Florida A&M University graduate Janelle Cotton who is a twin who comes from a family of #HBCU alumni. Cotton was involved on campus, joining the Beta Alpha chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated alongside her sister. From a young age, my twin sister and I always knew we wanted to attend FAMU,” she said to Forbes, “FAMU has truly provided us with the family environment we craved and continues to be a place where we feel at home.” #RacialEquity #BlackStudents #CollegeAdmissions

💲 From JHU: The $1 billion gift announced today from Bloomberg Philanthropies to support medical and graduate education at The Johns Hopkins University is eliciting great joy and deep appreciation from faculty, students, and alumni. The transformative gift will make the The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine #tuition-free for medical students from families that earn up to $300,000 and will cover living expenses and fees for medical students from families that earn up to $175,000. Below are reactions from around Johns Hopkins. Katherine C. Chretien, associate dean for medical student affairs: As we have worked steadfastly as a school to improve equity and resources to support socioeconomic #diversity over the past years, this gift will propel us toward reaching that goal. I am overjoyed to know that we can alleviate financial burdens that weigh on so many. Jennifer Lee (Lee-Summers), MD, ACC, senior associate dean for Women in Science and Medicine: This gift will move us toward equity in medicine and support students from all socioeconomic backgrounds in reaching their full potential. Christopher Morphew, dean of the School of Education: This gift will enable more of our students to benefit from our unique curriculum, to graduate with less debt, and to move more quickly into impactful roles in learning environments across the country and around the world. Alexander Triantis, dean of the Carey Business School: The generosity of Bloomberg Philanthropies will help us make business education even more accessible to a new generation of bold leaders. Risha Irvin, director of the Health Equity Program at Johns Hopkins Health System: Enriching our class further with a full spectrum of socioeconomic backgrounds provides a space where diverse perspectives can be shared and appreciated. This translates into empathy for the lived experiences of both colleagues and patients. David Dowdy, executive vice dean for Academic Affairs, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: This forward-thinking scholarship program will enable us to recruit a #diverse, talented group of scholars. Lisa Cooper, Bloomberg Distinguished Professor and founder of the Center for Health Equity: When there is a more diverse medical workforce, patients overall, but especially those from socially marginalized groups, have better access to care and are more likely to participate in decisions about their care. Sabine Stanley, vice provost for graduate and professional education: This gift will significantly boost PhD education at Hopkins, allowing us to recruit, support, and train interdisciplinary research leaders who can make major impacts. Omar Stefano Montalvo, starting at the School of Medicine on a full scholarship: Most of the patients we will see one day are not wealthy. This gift will help create an environment where more physicians will mirror the type of patient they'll see one day. #scholarships #MedSchool #MedStudents

📖 Marlena Jackson-Retondo writes: When it comes to #disability representation in children’s literature, award-winning author Corinne Duyvis. Duyvis recommended that #educators, #librarians and #parents seek out books by #disabled people. Often, when disability has been shown in the pages of children’s books, it has been through the experiences of white or male characters, according to Elizabeth Perez, a librarian at San Francisco Public Library’s Children’s Center. But Perez said that there is always room for more books from other perspectives. For example, she would love to see more disability representation in non-English language and bilingual kids’ literature. Disability representation in kids’ literature can also educate readers about what living with a disability might look like or mean. These books help to counter misinformation, said Julia Torres, a librarian, educator and activist. Duyvis pointed to her own novel, The Art of Saving the World, about a girl with an anxiety disorder who explores who she is through alternate universes, as an example of disability representation in fantasy. Another of Duyvis’ books, On the Edge of Gone is about an #autistic girl who must prove herself worthy of securing a seat on the last generation ship to leave an apocalyptic earth. Disability representation in children’s literature is for everybody. “Whether you’re disabled or not, you can appreciate a book with a character who is or is not disabled,” said Duyvis. A reader who is disabled might read a book with disability representation and recognize themselves, while a non-disabled reader might recognize disability as “a little more normal,” she added.  #Teachers can foster affirming and enriching conversations surrounding disability representation in children’s literature by asking: “What do you think of how other people in the book are reacting to the character?” If students are reading a book that includes an autistic character, the educator might ask them to think about what a singular character represents and explain that it “doesn’t necessarily mean that this is what any or all autistic people are actually like,” said Duyvis.  When students have discussions about differences or disability representation in children’s literature, Perez likes to use the “mirrors and windows” approach. Students should see themselves, the mirror, but should also see others represented in what they read, the window. Having these discussions in the classroom is not about garnering sympathy, said Torres. Being open minded is the crux of disability inclusion and representation in kids’ literature. #DisabilityInclusion #DisabilityPride #ChildrensBooks #ChildrensLiterature #AuthenticRepresentation #disabilities #neurodiversity

👩 An #ADHD diagnosis can make a difference at any age! Sara Tilley writes: A woman who was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 45 has used her creative talents to help others who "think differently". Lydia Berman had felt she "didn’t fit in" at school, and then later when she started work as graphic designer. “We’re all wired differently… and I think it is only logical that we learn differently and process things differently," said Lydia. After starting her own brand and marketing agency, she launched Mapper Cards – visual planning tools for visual thinkers. At age 12, she was diagnosed with #dyslexia and believed that was the reason she was struggling. She found exams especially difficult and anxiety-inducing as sitting still for a set amount of time, not being able to fidget and having to constantly concentrate, was "the polar opposite" of what worked for her. "I suppose I’ve always known that something was different between how I work and how I process things," said Lydia. However, she always excelled in art, so went on to study at Camberwell College of Arts and became a graphic designer – but even then something still did not feel right. She said: "I was conscious that I didn’t fit in, but I just always thought it was my personality." On the side, she tutored art and design students, and found that teaching them lessons in confidence and creative learning approaches really helped them – she even helped one pupil go from failing to getting an A* in one year. In 2019, she started her business, Creative Stripes, and then launched her Mapper Cards, which provided "a different way of thinking for people that think differently". They were aimed at budding #entrepreneurs or people building their business, with each deck of cards containing "everything you need to visually lay out" a monthly social media plan, marketing plan or business idea. Lydia said: "I can see quite clearly… that my brain thinks differently to other people now. I think I just think in a creative way, so I’m very good at problem solving." She added: “I think my ADHD traits became more obvious when I worked for myself because I had to do everything across the business – it was so hard to be organised. The diagnosis meant that I could better understand what I can do well, and what I should not be doing – I allocate tasks to other people now.” "What the diagnosis has done, and what it could have done when I was younger, is encourage me to look at different ways of learning things." Lydia thinks the concern about ADHD being over-diagnosed is unwarranted, as if a diagnosis helps someone achieve their potential, "it can only be a good thing". #AdultADHD #ADHDwomen #neurodiversity #ADHDsupport #GraphicDesigners #VisualThinkers

🙏 I'm grateful to Dr. Aviva Legatt, PCC for this interview, Selecting a College for Your #Neurodivergent Student! Our topics included: 👨🎓 Finding the right college for students with learning differences (e.g., through our #neurodiversity-friendly college database at https://lnkd.in/eqGBAa9) 👨🎓Disclosing a #disability when applying to college 👨🎓Funding sources for students with #disabilities 👨🎓Disability accommodations and services available in college I hope you enjoy this video! #DisabilityServices #DisabilitySupport #SpecialEducation #autism #ADHD #dyslexia #LearningDisability #TeenMentalHealth #StudentMentalHealth #CollegeCounseling #CollegeAdmissions #CollegePrep

🤔 In this piece for Forbes, Three College Admissions Tips For Students With Learning Differences, Dr. Aviva Legatt discusses why it's so helpful to: ⭐ Assess your college readiness (and to build skills such as self-advocacy) ⭐Find #inclusive college environments (for example, by meeting with #disability services staff or consulting the Top College Consultants database of #neurodiversity-friendly #colleges at https://lnkd.in/eqGBAa9) ⭐Access special funding (e.g., through your state's office of vocational rehabilitation) I was honored to be interviewed for this story! #DisabilityServices #VocationalRehabilitation #SelfAdvocacy #AutismSupport #ADHDsupport #autism #ADHD #dyslexia #LearningDisabilities #SpecialNeeds

👩🎓 In this guide for college students with #ADHD, Edumed covers topics such as: 👉 How to self-advocate 👉 Where to get help 👉 When to pursue #disability accommodations 👉 What high school students can do to become college-ready 👉 Tips for academic success in college 👉 The challenges of online coursework 👉 How to learn about services for students with #disabilities 👉 The value of the #neurodiversity paradigm It was an honor being interviewed (along with Dave Bratcher) for this resource! #neurodivergent #DisabilityServices #DisabilitySupport #ADHDsupport #ADHDparents #CollegePrep #CollegeReadiness #SelfAdvocacy #ExecutiveFunctioning #AcademicCoaching #tutoring

🌄 A gap year can be a life-changing experience, and #neurodivergent students in particular can benefit by boosting their college readiness and confidence. Here are some resources for you from Top College Consultants: 🌄 Gap Year Experiences for Neurodivergent Young Adults - podcast episode for Tilt Parenting at https://lnkd.in/eySeB5S9. 🌄 A Longer Runway: Gap Year/Post-Graduate Programs for Students with Learning Differences - recorded panel discussion with Franklin Academy, Winston Transitions/Winston Preparatory School, Landmark College and Middlebridge School at https://lnkd.in/g99-r4-7. 🌄 6 Reasons to Consider a Gap Year - blog post at https://lnkd.in/gQ4WM67m. Enjoy! #GapYear #CollegePrep #neurodiversity #autism #ADHD #dyslexia #LearningDisabilities #SpecialNeedsParents #HighSchoolCounselors #EducationalConsultants #BoardingSchools #CollegeReadiness #ExecutiveFunctioning