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Welcome All! Find contacts, resources, and support specifically for students who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color. 

Check back for events and networking opportunities to connect you with mentors and community.

Mission

  • build connections and community among students of color

  • recruit, support, and retain pre-service teacher candidates of color

  • provide mentorship and networking opportunities for students of color

Welcome Event for Students of Color

Meet new people, build community, and have cookies! Whether you are new to the College of Education or returning, undergraduates are welcome to join us for this event on Thursday, August 25 from 4-5pm and connect with future educators. Please register here

Aspiring Educators

This organization is a registered student organization and an affiliate of the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA) and the National Education Association (NEA). Joining Aspiring Educators will provide teacher education students opportunities to attend ISEA-sponsored conferences and to work with local high school students interested in exploring education as a future career. Fill out this form to join.

Study Sessions

Join us for an ongoing series of monthly study sessions in the Baker Teacher Leader Center from 4-7pm on the following Tuesdays: Sept. 20, Oct. 18, Nov. 15, and Dec. 13. Feel free to bring friends or study groups, or just come to be in community. This event is open to undergraduate and graduate students.

Professional woman smiles into camera.

Amira Nash (she, her, hers)

Associate Director, Partnerships and Programs

Baker Teacher Leader Center

Meet Amira

During my undergraduate years at UI, I majored in Psychology and Secondary Education with a minor in Spanish. I earned my BA in Psychology along with teaching licensure in Social Studies, ELL (English Language Learning), and Spanish. During my undergraduate years, I spent a lot of time studying abroad after being captivated by a history class I took in Spain during a J-term. I later studied in India twice with the College of Education, I volunteered in Cuba, and I completed half of my student teaching in Ecuador. Also from UI, I went on to complete my MA in Teaching, Leadership, and Cultural Competency. I am currently pursuing my PhD in Educational Policy and Leadership Studies: Schools, Culture, and Society. 

For the past four years, I taught ELL and Social Studies at West High here in Iowa City. For the majority of my students, I was their first teacher of color. Growing up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, I did not have a teacher that looked like me until my sophomore year of college. In my role here in the College of Education, I am partnering with local school districts to create a student to teacher pathways program to help diversify Iowa's teacher workforce in addition to supporting antiracism efforts and global education in the college. 

Please don't hesitate to reach out.