2022 Annual Report: Transforming Together

Sandra Bertram Grant is a Counseling Psychology doctoral student. As a first-generation Mexicana student, immigrant, and advocate, she has dedicated herself to breaking down barriers to mental healthcare for underserved and marginalized groups. In 2022, she was selected as a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Fellow by the American Psychological Association. Sandra serves on the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education Governance committee.

Counseling Psychologists “have a responsibility to provide quality, culturally competent mental health services that reach those who are disadvantaged and disenfranchised.”

Shakira D. Abney-Wisdom completed the Ritchie Program for School Leaders in 2017. Her experience in the program was not only foundational for her subsequent doctoral studies, but “leads and guides the work” that she does now. Today, she is the Founding Principal at the Robert F. Smith STEAM Academy. The school, modeled after Historically Black Colleges and Universities, welcomed its inaugural class in 2021 and garnered regional and national attention.

The Robert F. Smith STEAM Academy seeks to “create a community of excellence where scholars are equipped to shape their futures as transformative change agents, innovators, and thought leaders.” Creating this experience and opportunity for students, particularly those of color, is necessary.

“There is a persistent erasure of the Black experience, of Latinx and Indigenous experiences in this nation and world. Our focus is to really center the experience of those of us who have been marginalized and minoritized. We are not, by nature of our existence, ‘less than’…

Our school’s existence is just an act of resilience and resistance to oppressive structures in society. This is a sanctuary, really, a safe space for our scholars to be all that they are, and to grow, to challenge themselves, to challenge one another, to accomplish the goals that they have.” - Shakira Abney-Wisdom (Denverite 2022)

Following her time in the Ritchie Program, Shakira carried with her a simple question: how do we bridge the gap between our espoused values and reality? Those at the Robert F. Smith STEAM Academy are helping to bridge gaps long neglected by many school systems. Providing rigorous and culturally responsive educational opportunities has the potential to not only empower young learners but benefit families, communities, and generations to come.

Paulina Lerma earned her Elementary Teacher Licensure and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction, with an emphasis on Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education, in 2015. She returned to Morgridge in 2021 after teaching as an English Language Acquisition (Spanish) elementary school teacher for several years. In 2022, she completed the Ritchie Executive Leadership for Successful Schools Principal Licensure Program and was a finalist for Colorado’s 2023 Teacher of the Year award. Today, she is pursuing her EdD in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.

Paulina recently accepted a position as Assistant Principal at South High School in Denver. She is known for her commitments to culturally responsive teaching and equity. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to building strong relationships with students, their families, and community members.

We are proud of Paulina and cannot wait to see how her resounding resolve to advance equity impacts young learners for many years to come.

"My passion to serve became my engine to continue higher education and become a teacher."