Assistant professor of Educational Leadership elected to AERA board
March 04, 2022 | by Natalie Frels-Busby
Lamar University is proud to announce that Dr. Kathryn Washington, Ed.D., assistant professor of Educational Leadership in the College of Education and Human Development, was elected to serve on the AERA — American Educational Research Association — Research on Women in Education SIG board.
Washington said although she is fairly new to the association, she's had her sights set on joining the top organization, specifically the Special Interest Group, or SIG, which aligned with her research agenda.
Having served on several boards locally and currently serving on two state boards as president for the Texas Council of Women School Executives and as regional president for the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors association, she felt the timing was right and in her wheelhouse. She was nominated for membership after a call for nominations to open positions in August. Voting opened in January and concluded on Feb. 11.
“During this time, I was in the middle of assuming the role of president and conference chair of TCWSE, which kept me very busy, but I was cognizant that the news of the AERA election would come at the end of February,” Washington said. “I really did not think I would win because competition is well known in higher education and research. Imagine my surprise when I read the email … I was very excited, but informed it was confidential until the official announcement was made by the AERA communication department. Imagine my anticipation!”
The term will begin at the conclusion of the 2022 AERA annual meeting at the end of April. Special Interest Groups, Washington said, play an important role in supporting the organization’s mission and enhancing the vitality of the education research community.
“My role as a SIG officer will help further AERA’s commitment to improving and advancing education research,” she said. “It is my understanding that I will spend this year as membership-elect to learn more about the position before I move into full membership chair to recruit more to our group.”
Dr. Robert Spina, dean of the College of Education and Human Development, noted that Washington’s appointment is fitting.
“We are very excited to learn of Dr. Washington’s election to the American Educational Research Association’s Research on Women in Education SIG board,” he said. “This is a well-deserved, prestigious honor for her, as AERA is a prominent, professional organization within education.”
Washington added that she is honored by this opportunity and is proud to represent Lamar University at the prestigious organization.
“I am humbled to serve in this respected organization and believe this will give me more opportunities to collaborate, network and grow as a researcher,” Washington said. “I am very excited to serve in this new phase of my career and proud to represent Lamar University and the Educational Leadership Department of the College of Education and Human Development in the research community of the American Educational Research Association.”
Washington said although she is fairly new to the association, she's had her sights set on joining the top organization, specifically the Special Interest Group, or SIG, which aligned with her research agenda.
Having served on several boards locally and currently serving on two state boards as president for the Texas Council of Women School Executives and as regional president for the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors association, she felt the timing was right and in her wheelhouse. She was nominated for membership after a call for nominations to open positions in August. Voting opened in January and concluded on Feb. 11.
“During this time, I was in the middle of assuming the role of president and conference chair of TCWSE, which kept me very busy, but I was cognizant that the news of the AERA election would come at the end of February,” Washington said. “I really did not think I would win because competition is well known in higher education and research. Imagine my surprise when I read the email … I was very excited, but informed it was confidential until the official announcement was made by the AERA communication department. Imagine my anticipation!”
The term will begin at the conclusion of the 2022 AERA annual meeting at the end of April. Special Interest Groups, Washington said, play an important role in supporting the organization’s mission and enhancing the vitality of the education research community.
“My role as a SIG officer will help further AERA’s commitment to improving and advancing education research,” she said. “It is my understanding that I will spend this year as membership-elect to learn more about the position before I move into full membership chair to recruit more to our group.”
Dr. Robert Spina, dean of the College of Education and Human Development, noted that Washington’s appointment is fitting.
“We are very excited to learn of Dr. Washington’s election to the American Educational Research Association’s Research on Women in Education SIG board,” he said. “This is a well-deserved, prestigious honor for her, as AERA is a prominent, professional organization within education.”
Washington added that she is honored by this opportunity and is proud to represent Lamar University at the prestigious organization.
“I am humbled to serve in this respected organization and believe this will give me more opportunities to collaborate, network and grow as a researcher,” Washington said. “I am very excited to serve in this new phase of my career and proud to represent Lamar University and the Educational Leadership Department of the College of Education and Human Development in the research community of the American Educational Research Association.”