Five CEHD graduates named 2022 Bush Fellows

Five CEHD graduates have been selected as Bush Fellows for 2022. The Bush Fellowship is a grant of up to $100,000 over 12 to 24 months to help them strengthen and develop their leadership skills. The Fellowship is in recognition of these graduates’ extraordinary accomplishments and support for their potential. The recipients are as follows:

Devon Gilchrist (Master of Social Work ’11) is working to advance a more inclusive and equitable child welfare framework. In his quest to reimagine this system in Minnesota, he seeks to develop knowledge of and leadership skills in public policy, organizational psychology, and government relations.

Erin Griffin (Master of Education and Teacher Licensure ’20, Teaching English Language as a Second Language Graduate Certificate ’19) envisions Makoce ataya Dakota Oyate kin Dakota iapi kte, a future where the Dakota Oyate will speak the Dakota language everywhere. To be a leader of this movement, she will finish her doctoral degree in Indigenous language and culture revitalization, increase her proficiency in the Dakota language, and create intentional moments for rest and rejuvenation.

Rania Johnson (Master of Education, Special Education—Educational Psychology ’14) seeks to advocate for policies that train more people in the justice, social services and education systems in culturally rich and nuanced American Sign Language. To advance this vision, she will pursue a doctoral program dedicated to training Deaf researchers in linguistic, community and leadership work. She will also expand her national network of BIPOC Deaf leaders.

Ifrah Mansour (Bachelor of Science—Foundations of Education ’09) creates original performance pieces that build understanding, empathy and connection within Muslim and greater American communities. To build her influence and leadership, she will design, seek and complete filmmaking courses and a hands-on apprenticeship. She will also travel to film festivals and build a network of filmmakers.

Pahoua Yang (Graduate School, Doctor of Philosophy—Educational Psychology ’08) wants to integrate traditional healing practices within the formal mental health system to improve outcomes for her Hmong community. To lead this visionary expansion in mental health services, she wants to gain more expertise in traditional healing and health care policy, study inclusive leadership practices, connect with tribal nations and governmental entities that have piloted successful traditional healing as part of health care, and engage the local Hmong community to build collective will for change.

This year’s 24 Fellows were selected through a multi-stage process involving Bush Fellowship alumni, Bush Foundation staff, and established regional leaders. Applicants described their leadership vision and passion and how a Bush Fellowship would help them think bigger and become more effective leaders.