Centering Learners with Dr. Ally Garcia

On this episode of Mile Higher Ed, Sarah and Caitlyn talk to Dr. Ally Garcia, State Director for Adult Education Initiatives at the Colorado Department of Education and Adjunct Faculty in the Higher Education Department at the University of Denver. We talk about her experience in the EdD program, her teaching philosophy of Challenge-and-Support, and how she centers learners in her work both in the classroom and when implementing state policy. 

About our Guest: Dr. Ally Garcia (she,her,hers) received her Doctor of Education Degree from the University of Denver in 2019 and graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver with both graduate and bachelor degrees (2011 & 2014). She currently serves as the State Director of the Adult Education Initiatives office at the Colorado of Department of Education.  She is an adjunct faculty member at both the University of Colorado Denver and the University of Denver. Dr. Garcia’s research and presentations have focused on issues relating to equity and liberation for marginalized communities where she utilizes poststructuralism and critical race feminist theories.  She was recently named the Ruth Murray Underhill Teaching recipient at the University of Denver.  She is a co-founder of a women’s fastpitch league in Denver, The United Women’s Fastpitch Coalition, and is the Principal Consultant at Equity Endeavors Consulting LLC.  She enjoys exploring Colorado, working out, watching independent films, walking her beautiful and friendly Chow Chow Chewbacca, and spending time jamming at concerts with her partner, Roman!    

Links to things we discussed: 

The dissertation process as one of healing and unmasking for sexual assault survivors—Dr. Hurtado and Dr. Garcia’s article on the experience of writing their dissertations 

 

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Thanks for listening to this episode of Mile Higher Ed. Mile Higher Ed is produced within the Morgridge College of Education at the University of Denver by Dr. Sarah Hurtado and Caitlyn Potter Glaser.  Our theme music is “Summer” by Liborio Conti.  

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Keep up the good work everyone. See you next time!