Brain Food: Dr. Christopher Emdin

I have had a chance over the past few years to participate in a weekly Twitter chat called #HipHopEd. The creator of this chat, Dr. Chris Emdin, recently wrote a book that spoke to me as it describes New Orleans, "For White Folks Who Teach in the Hood (and the rest of y'all too). With school board elections coming up, this was a perfect Brain Food topic.

Dr. Emdin did not disappoint! He started out with a thesis that school has become the site for the incarceration of the minds of young people. Weaving through examples told in stories, he pointed out how many practices mirror those used to convert Native Americans.

He challenged notions that all STEM education is good (if they are being trained to be at the bottom of the STEM hierarchy that's not good), and that education is predicated on the underperformance of certain populations.

My big take away is that we need to make sure young people are engaged, having fun, and in that climate they will learn. I think back at my best high school teachers and it was fun- I try to do the same with my class as well.

If you have not read this book and you are an educator, do it. Now!

The Prez

Softball challenge

For weeks there was build up to a Dillard vs Xavier softball game, but not the students- the faculty and staff. After being delayed a week due to a wet field, the game happened.

We spent a few weeks practicing to get ready for the game which was great fun. The game went back and forth until Xavier went up by 8 after 5 innings.

But over the last two innings we held them and tied the score. The ref then told us the game ended- as a tie, 15-15.

Great fun by everyone, and the rematch will take place.

In addition, we hope games like these inspire healthy lifestyles for our faculty and staff.

The Prez

Alumni Connect

Every year we make an effort to visit alums in various cities to give updates on the university. I made my first trips last week with a west coast swing to San Francisco and Los Angeles.

We hosted about 20 at each event, and we had a great number of fairly recent alums. It is always cool to see folks who graduated since I have been there.

Our alums are doing great things all across the nation, and these trips help to keep them connected to the university, but also to make sure we know what they're doing so we can tell that story as well.

The Prez