Jessica Forrester, a PhD student focusing on STEM Education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction received a Leadership in Equity, Inclusion and Diversity (LEID) Fellowship for the 2021-2022 academic year. The fellowship recognizes PhD candidates committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and/or social justice through scholarly activity and/or climate-enhancing initiatives. Throughout the year-long fellowship, PhD candidates have the opportunity to work full-time on their dissertations.

Receiving the LEID Fellowship has reinforced Forrester’s passion for justice and activism, especially in math education. She actively engages in equity work through her mentoring and engagement within scholarly and community organizations including Prepare2Nspire, a peer mathematics tutoring and mentoring program for urban learners in North Minneapolis; Race, Culture, & Coffee, a space for teacher candidates, in-service teachers, and other educators to grapple with cultural conversations and create a network of social-justice-oriented educators; and YoUthROC, a community and University-affiliated youth participatory action research (YPAR) team dedicated to equity initiatives. 

Forrester says the fellowship will help her continue to advance her work in community engagement. “The LEID fellowship introduces me to a network of scholars across the university who are also dedicated to incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout their research. The complexities and emotional labor that comes along with equity-centered research can be tiresome, however, there is power in numbers, so I am excited to see how others are fighting for justice.”

As a scholar, Jessica’s research interests lie at the intersection of mathematics education, equity, and community engagement. Her dissertation research will consider how culturally relevant mathematics learning and community engagement transforms the educational experiences of local youth. This area of research was motivated by her positionality as a Black woman in STEM and as a community-engaged scholar.

“Being a LEID Fellow…allows me to slow down and focus on my dissertation research,” says Forrester. “It’s easy for me to overload myself with exciting opportunities in the community and university, but I appreciate the extra time to focus on my dreams of making a difference in higher education.”

Learn more about doctoral programs in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.