SAN DIEGO, Calif. (Oct. 5, 2023) – Drs. Inez Olive, Kyle Winslow and Osuré Brown, researchers behind the recently published report “Increasing Historically Underserved and Underrepresented Student Completion in STEM Pathways at a Hispanic-serving Institution” (HSI) will join the Equity Avengers as their featured guest on #EquityChat, a weekly conversation held on the X platform (formerly known as Twitter), on Wednesday, October 11, 2023.
The report, published in May 2023, studied a Mathematics, Engineering, Science and Achievement (MESA) program at a rural HSI in Washington state and aimed to determine the influence of completion planning for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) students who represent historically underserved and underrepresented populations (HUUP). The researchers sought to understand to what extent the MESA program’s support services impact student participation at a rural institution. The Equity Avengers will ask the researchers about the recommendations in their report, as well as the implications for policy-making decisions for higher education leaders seeking to increase HUUP student completion into STEM pathways.
“Ensuring students from underserved and underrepresented communities have a supportive and culturally relevant environment is core to racial equity strategies in higher education,” said Dr. Keith Curry, President and CEO of Compton College and Equity Avenger. “This report offers important insights for higher education leaders, policymakers and practitioners, and we’re excited to share them with our #EquityAvengersCommunity.”
Olive has earned a Doctorate in Educational Organizational Learning and Leadership from Seattle University, whose mission is to be “dedicated to educating the whole person, to professional formation, and to empowering leaders for a just and humane world.” She previously earned a Master of Science in Management and Leadership and a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management. Olive currently serves Washingtonians as the Associate Director for Workforce Programs with the Washington Student Achievement Council. Before her current role, she co-led change initiatives with inclusive practices to support marginalized neighbors in the community and technical college system. Olive also serves as a Pasifika Village Council member for the Pacific Islander Community Association of Washington, which commits to advocating for the unique and diverse health and other wellness policy priority needs of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NH/PI) communities across Washington state. Born and raised on the island of Oahu, Olive grew up in a family where her father had immigrated from Tonga, and she was a first-generation college student.
Winslow has years of experience in teaching, industry and college administration. She earned a Doctorate in Educational Organizational Learning and Leadership from Seattle University and a Master of Business Administration with a Marketing specialization. Born and raised in Massachusetts, she is a second-generation Scotland immigrant and is the first female in her extended family to receive a bachelor’s degree. Currently, Winslow serves as the Dean for the Schools of Business and Computer Science at Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Wash.
Brown has a Doctorate from Seattle University in Educational Organizational Learning and Leadership. In addition to the doctorate, he holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Washington, a Bachelor of Science in Biology, a Bachelor of Arts in Women’s & Ethnic Studies and a minor in Psychology from Washington State University. He has more than ten years of experience in Student Affairs in advising, student clubs, student support and freshmen orientation with general and STEM students focused on the university and community college levels. Brown is an academic advisor lead at the University of Washington fostering community, belonging and inclusiveness. He was born and raised in Washington with the optimism to help others achieve their dreams, and protect their passion so they can make the world a better place.
#EquityChat is held weekly on Wednesday evenings from 5 – 6 p.m. on the X platform from September through June. Follow the Equity Avengers on Twitter @EquityAvengers or LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/equity-
To learn more about the Equity Avengers, visit equityavengers.com.
Media Contact:
Lauren McDermott
(415) 933-9975
About the Equity Avengers
The Equity Avengers are community college presidents, Dr. Keith Curry of Compton College, Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson of Evergreen Valley College, and President Emerita Dr. Pamela Luster of San Diego Mesa College. The Equity Avengers have made it their mission to lead the charge for a more equitable higher education landscape, increasing access for those historically marginalized by academia.
The Equity Avengers host the popular #EquityChat on Wednesday evenings on Twitter and are regularly invited to speak at state and national conferences to share their vision. The College Futures Foundation has generously supported the Equity Avengers’ mission through a grant, allowing them to support and develop leaders who act and drive large-scale change toward achieving racial equity in higher education nationwide.