WASHINGTON – Two doctoral students pursing degrees within the Howard University School of Education have been selected as members of the Jackson Scholars Network, a two-year program supported by the University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA) which provides formal networking, mentoring and professional development for graduate students of color who intend to become professors of educational leadership. 

Sofia Vega-Ormeño and Shamera Wilkins are both studying to receive a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. They were selected for the network through Howard’s connection to UCEA, the governing organization of universities across the nation featuring educational leadership and policy programs. UCEA is doubling down on its commitment to diversity, equity, and social justice, through mentoring, knowledge sharing, and educational opportunities associated with the Jackson Scholars Network. Most importantly, UCEA says the initiative embodies the fundamental belief upon which it was built – the collaborative effort of educational organizations will improve educational leadership and leadership preparation, which will facilitate educational advancement and human progress.

“As Howard University prepares to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Doctor of Education program in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, we remain committed to our mission to prepare scholars and leaders of color through high-quality doctoral studies,” says Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Department Lisa Grillo, Ed.D. “Sofia and Shamera both represent the best of who we are as a program, and we are excited to support them as Jackson Scholars.” 

Vega-Ormeño is a third-year doctoral student and currently teaches Spanish in Montgomery County Public Schools, where she also serves as an elected faculty representative on Northwest High School's Instructional Leadership Team. Aside from Montgomery County Public Schools, Vega-Ormeño has teaching experience in Baltimore City Public Schools. She received her master's in secondary education from Johns Hopkins University, and dual degrees in marketing and family science from the University of Maryland at College Park. Vega-Ormeño’s dissertation interests are in mentorship amongst Latina leaders in education and the annulment of Alternative Certification Programs as pathways to careers in education.

Wilkins is a second-year doctoral student from Baltimore, Maryland who describes herself as a passionate, internationally-minded educator. She has been an educator for 13 years, beginning her career as a teacher in the Baltimore City Public School system. Wilkins also spent five years teaching at the American International School in Bucharest, Romania. Her varied experience in the public and private educational systems led her to pursue a doctoral degree with the hopes that her leadership and research will help to ensure all students have access to a quality education.  Wilkins earned a master’s in reading education from Bowie State University and a bachelor’s in elementary education, with an emphasis on language and literature, from the University of Maryland at College Park. She is interested in the school-experience of black girls, school discipline policies, student agency and belonging. 

For more information on the University Council for Educational Administration and the Jackson Scholars Network, visit http://www.ucea.org. 

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ABOUT HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, two Marshall Scholars, one Schwarzman Scholar, over 70 Fulbright Scholars and 22 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu.

Media contact: Ramzey Smith, Office of University Communications, ramzey.smith@howard.edu