Loyola Education Dean to discuss identity, race and achievement in 21st century schools; presentation to offer model for school success for African-American students

Dr. Peter C. Murrell, Jr., founding dean of Loyola College in Maryland's School of Education, will present “Identities of Achievement in 21st Century Urban Schools,” an examination of the dynamics of identity, race, culture and ethnicity in the educational experiences of African-Americans and a model for creating conditions for school success and achievement on Wednesday, Feb. 18. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. in McGuire Hall East in the Andrew White Student Center on Loyola’s North Charles Street campus and will be followed by Q&A and light refreshments. Doors open at 6 p.m.

“Too often, people attribute the achievement gap between African-American and white students to African-American students’ pre-supposed disidentification with schooling and educational achievement, which is a deeply insufficient explanation,” said Dr. Murrell. “A more effective approach would be one that recognizes the cultural proficiencies in diverse communities; uses them to enrich learning, discourse and scholastic development; and creates a new, intellectually rich vibrant academic environment based upon the rich infusion of African-American literature, culture, language and history.”

Dr. Murrell’s address is one of a series of events designed to generate dialogue and discussion of the issues surrounding urban education, the focus of Loyola’s School of Education, set to launch officially in fall 2009. Loyola’s School of Education will be the only one in Maryland with a dedicated focus on the advancement of achievement and development of city children and youth that is based on an analytical framework of identity, race and culture.

Murrell, a nationally known expert in the field of urban education, joined Loyola in July 2008 from Northeastern University, where he was director of the Center for Innovation in Urban Education and associate professor of education at Northeastern University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Carleton College, a master’s degree in experimental cognitive psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a Ph.D. in urban education with a specialization in educational psychology, also from the University of Wisconsin. He is the author of four books dedicated to the issues of urban education, including his most recent, 2007’s Race, Culture, and Schooling: Identities of Achievement in Multicultural Urban Schools. He has also authored or co-authored dozens of articles and book chapters.

The event is free, but reservations are required. For more information, call 410-617-5550 or click here to reserve seats.