Vajra Watson, Ph.D.

On Monday, August 12, from 12-1 p.m., the Division of Academic Affairs will host Vajra Watson, Ph.D. — director of research and policy for equity, UC Davis — for a special lunchtime event in Lobby 1, “Community-Based Scholarship: Reimagining Higher Education in the Lives of Young People.”

Light refreshments will be served. Attendees will have a chance to win copies of Dr. Watson’s recent books, “Transformative Schooling: Towards Racial Equity in Education” and “Learning to Liberate: Community-Based Solutions to the Crisis in Urban Education.”

Register now.

About community-based scholarship

College recruitment and retention efforts often focus exclusively on the “codes of power” that help students access and navigate the college process. While understanding the rules of the game is part of the solution, educators and parents must also prepare students to be culturally empowered.

At this event, Watson will explain how the cycle of social reproduction and underachievement can be broken by creating programs and policies that rely upon a social-justice process. When students are supported to be the authors of their own lives, they can achieve college readiness, a sense of civic responsibility and critical consciousness.

About Dr. Watson

As a campus administrator and scholar, Watson’s work focuses on racial justice, equity and belonging. She supports transformative practices inside classrooms as well as at the institutional level. Watson aims to disrupt and dismantle narratives of underachievement and inequality by uncovering ways to create school systems (P–20) that are socially just, democratic sanctuaries of revitalization and community empowerment.

Year of Service series

This event is the second in the Academic Affairs division’s Year of Service series. These events highlight UC’s mission and commitment to public service and are open to all. Be sure to also catch their July 31 event on financial aid reform.

Questions? Contact Elaina Williams.

About

View all post by