Kristina McKenzie-Hudson, the literacy coach at Capitol Middle School, has been chosen to become a 2010-2012 University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA) Barbara L. Jackson Scholar.  This program is a network that extends across the country and honors scholars pursuing PhDs at UCEA institutions like Louisiana State University (LSU).  She was nominated by her professors in the Educational Leadership program at LSU.

UCEA is a consortium of higher education institutions committed to advancing the preparation and practice of educational leaders for the benefit of schools and children.  UCEA promotes, sponsors and disseminates research on the essential problems of schooling and leadership practice and is committed to improving the preparation and professional development of educational leaders and professors.  By doing so, the organization positively influences local, state and national educational policy.  “This will help train me even better in the field of educational leadership by having mentors from all over the country work with me on my skills,” said McKenzie-Hudson.

The purpose of the Jackson Scholars is to:

1. Provide a system of support for students of color across UCEA member institutions that will continue as they enter the professorial role and begin to mentor others into the profession.

2. Ensure the presence of minority faculty in educational leadership programs in numbers sufficient to assure that UCEA programs will reflect the diversity of our society and schools.

3. Support the K-12 environment’s need for a larger pool of administrators from minority groups, through enhanced abilities to recruit them into university programs

4. Demonstrate UCEA’s commitment to diversity, equity and social justice.

For more information, contact McKenzie-Hudson at (985) 290-2037.