Kansas State University

Bio

Dr. Socorro Herrera is a professor in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction in the College of Education and is the Executive Director of the Center for Intercultural and Multilingual Advocacy (CIMA) at Kansas State University. Her K-12 teaching experience includes an emphasis on literacy development. Her research focuses on literacy opportunities with culturally and linguistically diverse students, reading strategies, and teacher preparation for diversity in the classroom.

Dr. Herrera is a nationally recognized expert on biography-driven instruction (BDI) for CLD and other EL students. She conducts multi-state and international professional development on issues related to teacher preparation for pre-service teachers, BDI, and classroom accommodations for CLD students. Her recent research emphasizes BDI and globalization in education. She is the author of nine textbooks and has been widely published in the TESOL Journal, Bilingual Research Journal, Reading and Writing Quarterly, as well as the journal of Teacher Education and Practice.

Education

• B.S. - Elementary Education, Certificate in Bilingual Education, Eastern New Mexico University
• M.S. - Multicultural Guidance and University Counseling, Eastern New Mexico University
• Ed.D. - Educational Psychology, Emphasis on Cross-Cultural Dynamics and Bilingual/ESL Education, Texas Tech University

Courses

• ESL/Dual Language Methods
• ESL/Dual Language Assessment
• ESL/Dual Language Practicum
• Top/Differentiated Literacy Strategies for ELLs
• Sem/Creating Culturally Responsive Curriculum
• Sem/Epistemology, Ignorance, & Identity in Educational Contexts
• Sem/Intersection of Culture, Cognition, and Learning
• Sem/Teaching & Learning in International Contexts
• Sem/Historical Roots of Social Justice
• Doctoral Research

Research Interests

Emergent literacy; reading strategies for ELL students; differential learning needs of second language learners; mutual accommodation for language learning students; socio-political dynamic influence on programming for diverse populations

Bio

Dr. Murry is Professor of Curriculum and Instruction in the College of Education at Kansas State University and is Director of Research and Development for the Center for Intercultural and Multilingual Advocacy (CIMA). His scholarship has emphasized the professional development of K-16 teachers for the assets/needs of culturally and linguistically diverse [CLD] students. His recent research has underscored teacher readiness for highly differentiated, culturally responsive pedagogy. Dr. Murry has collaborated on several books and authored or coauthored a wide range of articles for numerous nationally recognized and referred journals.

Education

• B.S. - Health Sciences/Counseling, University of Texas
• M.B.A. - Interdisciplinary Studies/Human Resource Development, Texas Tech University
• Ph.D. - Educational Leadership and Multicultural Studies, Texas Tech University

Courses

• Seminar: Ethnographic Research and Scholarship
• ESL/Dual Language Linguistics
• Bilingual/ESL Education
• Culture and Language in Classroom Practice
• Practicum/ESL/Secondary
• Doctoral Research
• Sem/Ethnographic Research and Diverse Populations
• Sem/ESL Linguistics
• Sem/Pedagogy of CLD Learners
• Sem/Curriculum Materials/ESL

Research Interests

ESL/Dual language programming in secondary public schools; advocacy frameworks for culturally and linguistically diverse students; linguistic and cross-cultural dynamics of ESL instruction; portfolio-based practicum experiences; school restructuring for culturally responsive and sustainable praxis

Bio

Previously a Director of Literacy for Diverse Populations in the Wichita Public Schools, Dr. Cabral has a background in bilingual speech-language pathology, special education, literacy, assessment, and intervention development for culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students. Her research and professional activities emphasize strengthening teacher, school, and district capacities to ensure CLD students’ full access to enriching curriculum with appropriately individualized supports throughout and across their pre-K-12 education.

Education

• B.A. - Education, Wichita State University
• M.A. - Communicative Sciences and Disorders, Wichita State University
• Ph.D. - Curriculum and Instruction, Kansas State University

Courses

• Bilingual/ESL Methods Education
• ESL/Dual Language Linguistics
• ESL/Dual Language Assessment
• Culture and Language in Classroom Practice
• Practicum/ESL/Elementary
• Practicum/ESL/Secondary

Research Interests

The intersection of literacy models and culturally responsive practices to advance purposeful reading and writing at all stages of the curriculum. Formative assessment of language as a component of primary language development and within contexts of subsequent language acquisition. Instructional practices that nurture dynamic integration of access and rigor.

Bio

Originally from Texas, Dr. Davila’s educational career spans over 33 years, which includes K-16 teaching experiences and administrative roles. Previously an international project director, his current responsibilities with CIMA entail facilitation, advising, and supporting in-service teachers with graduate-level coursework.

Education

• B.S. - Education, Texas Tech University
• M.S. - School Administration, Kansas State University
• Ph.D. - Curriculum and Instruction, Kansas State University

Courses

• Introduction to Leadership Studies
• Cultural and Context in Leadership
• Leadership in Practice
• Accelerating English Development for Teachers
• Dual Language Assessment
• Dual Language Methods

Bio

Melissa Holmes is an associate director and co-author of several publications. Her research and professional development efforts emphasize use of biography-driven instruction as a communicative/cognitive method for promoting language development, student interaction, and academic achievement in domestic and international K–12 settings. Serving in a directorial capacity, she supports teachers nationally and internationally in exploring ways of engaging students and fostering English acquisition. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction at Kansas State University.

Education

• B.S. - English Literature (Spanish Minor), Kansas State University
• M.S. - Adult and Continuing Education, Kansas State University

Research Interests

Culturally responsive/sustaining pedagogical practices; recruitment and retention of teachers of color; preparation of teachers for success with diverse classroom populations; critical reflection and sense-making processes; second language acquisition

Bio

Originally from India, Shabina Kavimandan is an associate director and co-author of several publications. Her teaching experience includes a focus on literacy development emphasizing use of students’ background knowledge for culturally sustaining ecologies. Shabina’s research and professional development efforts focus on the use of biography-driven instruction as a framework for considering the differential learning needs of second language learners, family engagement, and the systemic restructuring for diversity. In her directorial capacity, she oversees the operations of two Title III federally funded projects and is currently pursuing her Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction at Kansas State University.

Education

• B.A. - English Literature, Delhi University, New Delhi, India
• M.S. - Elementary Education, Kansas State University

Research Interests

Elementary education with emphasis on classroom implications of socio-cultural processes on linguistic development of students and various assessment strategies for appropriate placement of culturally and linguistically diverse students

Bio

A native of Iran and raised in Ecuador, Mona Menking has a bachelor's degree in Business Administration emphasis in Marketing and International Management from The University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, and a master's degree in Education from Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Ecuador. A multilingual speaker of English, Spanish, and Farsi, she has been the Associate Director for International Initiatives for CIMA since 2012. Serving in a directorial capacity, she oversees all international projects for the center, serving as a liaison for partnerships in Latin America and the Middle East. Mona has also secured over $35 million in university-wide external funding to support study abroad, exchange programs, and other programming to meet the College’s diversity-related goals.

Bio

Sheri Meredith is a life-long Kansan. She completed her BS degree at Kansas State University. After working at Lee Elementary School and USD 383 in Manhattan for 11 years, she moved to the COE at K-State. As CIMA’s academic advisor for graduate students, Sheri provides academic and informational support to students pursing degrees with ESL emphasis. For over 18 years, she has been heavily involved in providing technical and organizational support to CIMA’s international and federal projects.

Bio

Currently serving as a director of KANCO, Andrew Dalton has managed multiple federal projects during his tenure at CIMA. Holding a bachelor’s degree in English and an M.S. in Education from the University of Kansas, he oversees the execution of the overarching goals and objectives associated with KANCO, which includes providing academic support services to participating students. He also serves as an instructor and writing mentor for CIMA’s international programs. Andrew has held multiple coordinating and directorial roles across the state of Kansas prior to CIMA.

Bio

Susan Erichsen has worked in the College of Education since 1990 as the Grant Specialist, providing pre- and post- award support to project directors and staff to ensure funding and procedural guidelines are met per sponsor agreement. Her work with CIMA includes implementation of personnel policies, salary administration, and funding sources.

Bio

Victiana Henneberg is originally from the Dominican Republic and continues to work for CIMA with daily operational projects. A fluent speaker in English and Spanish, she provides reception and office support services as an interpreter for multilingual students. With a degree in Finance and Business, she assists CIMA in international and local educational projects.

Bio

Latania Marr y Ortega is originally from New Mexico where she obtained a BA in Elementary Education (minors: Bilingual/TESOL & Sociology) and a MA in Language, Literacy, and Sociocultural Studies (emphasis: Bilingual Education). As a Graduate Teaching Assistant at CIMA her primary responsibility includes supporting in-service teachers with ESL Endorsement coursework. Currently pursuing an Ed.D in Curriculum and Instruction, her research interests include utilizing the biographies and assets of marginalized families to improve family engagement programs in public schools. She has spent 18 years in both urban and rural education settings teaching in multiple bilingual contexts.

Bio

Chloe Wurst is originally from southern California where she attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, earning a BS in Kinesiology with a minor in Women Gender Studies, and the University of La Verne, obtaining a master’s degree in Leadership Management, Organizational Development. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D in Academic Advising through Kansas State University. Her professional responsibilities at CIMA include advising participants in international programs to facilitate engagement and program completion. Chloe also manages communications and public relations regarding CIMA social media, marketing, and advertisement.

Bio

Originally from Ecuador, Eder was a Go Teacher participant in the inaugural K-State master’s program exclusively for Ecuadorian educators. Currently a graduate student pursuing a doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction, his research interests include professional development for EFL teachers and improving learner's English proficiency through extensive reading. Outside of CIMA he also serves as a faculty member in the College of Education at University of Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí, Ecuador.

Bio

Astrid Quezada is originally from Honduras and came to the United States to pursue her undergraduate studies in Christian Leadership. A fluent speaker in English and Spanish, Astrid is currently working on her master’s degree in Counseling and Student Development at Kansas State University. In her capacities as a GRA, Astrid’s primary responsibilities include supporting the center with research and development.

Bio

Yifan Liao is originally from China and has been teaching courses in Linguistics and Culture & Language in Classroom Practice for CIMA at K-State. She has a BA in General Education and MA in TESOL. She is now working on her doctoral dissertation in Curriculum and Instruction, focusing on language, diversity, and multilingual education. She has more than five years of English and Chinese teaching experience with students of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds both in the US and abroad.

Bio

Adela Rahman is originally from Bosnia and came to the United States shortly after she was born. She is a graduate of Shawnee Mission West and is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in Computer Science at Kansas State University. She continues to work for CIMA, creating social media content and visual designs to promote and share projects at the center.

Bio

A native from Temascalicingo, Estado de Mexico, Mexico, Liz obtained a bachelor’s degree in Family Studies and Human Services and a master’s degree in Counseling and Student Development, emphasizing Higher Education Administration. Through her experiences in program development and academic advising, her capacity as a Program Assistant includes providing technical and organizational support to CIMA’s international and federal projects.