Galloway, N.J. — Three Stockton students — Ivanna Taveras, Nana-Akosua Oduro, and Taina Altagracia-Paris — returned from the 2025 American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting in Denver as presenters, sharing how their experience at the 2024 annual meeting transformed their academic and professional paths. Last year’s Compass Fund project, “Future Educators Get Inspired,” enabled the group to attend the 2024 meeting.

The AERA Annual Meeting is the largest gathering of scholars in education research. Held each spring, it brings together researchers, policymakers and practitioners from around the world to present studies, discuss pressing issues in education, and explore innovative approaches to teaching and learning.

The students’ presentation, “Empowering First-Generation Future Educators of Color: Reflections on Their First AERA Annual Meeting Experience,” offered insights into how attending AERA strengthened their sense of purpose, expanded their educational networks, and deepened their commitment to equity and inclusion in education. 

Taveras, a Historical Studies major with a minor in Africana Studies, felt that sharing her story at AERA was both empowering and affirming. “As a first-generation Latina student, presenting this year rather than attending felt daunting, especially as someone who felt out of place among established scholars and seasoned researchers,” she remarked. “But  [presenting] helped me recognize the power of my voice and how my journey could resonate with and inspire others navigating similar paths.”

Literature major Altagracia-Paris said being a presenter felt like a full-circle moment. The May 2025 graduate continued, “As an undergraduate, it’s something unthinkable to be able to speak in front of scholars, graduate students, researchers and professionals. I remember asking myself what I would bring to the table the first time I went to the 2024 AERA last year: me, an undergraduate at Stockton University with no research experience or publications. But being a part of the intellectual and insightful information offered at these conferences, the 2025 AERA Meeting in Colorado was truly a blessing. It has furthered my interest in education and increased my self-confidence.”

Ian Bouie, director of Academic Achievement Programs at Stockton, accompanied the students, noting, “Their session was well-received and marked a proud moment for Stockton, highlighting the university’s ongoing commitment to supporting first-generation students and amplifying underrepresented voices in the field of education.” 

“An experience like this is invaluable for students because it gives them the rare opportunity to showcase and present their work on a national stage. The American Educational Research Association (AERA) is the oldest and one of the most prestigious educational research organizations in the world, so having the chance to present at this conference is monumental. For undergraduate, first-generation students of color, it is more than just an academic achievement — it can be a truly life-changing moment,” Bouie added.

Taveras, who also graduated this May, hoped to leave presentation attendees with the understanding that representation in education matters deeply, not just in K-12, but in higher education, as well. “I wanted to highlight the importance of educators from underrepresented backgrounds sharing their story, especially for first-generation students of color, and emphasize how important it is for students like me to gain exposure to these types of conferences. Attending AERA really impacted me and changed my perspective on research and my future career.”

Altagracia-Paris echoed similar sentiments, stating, “The work that is being done by those who present at thousands of sessions offered at this conference is meaningful and impactful. When I reflect on my first experience at the 2024 AERA, I was amazed and proud, as a Latina, to see individuals from my community doing research and becoming scholars. Thus, it’s impacted me in my desire to be that representation for my family and others. I wanted my listeners to understand my experience and how it shaped me into the person I am today, as well as the interest that I have in policy, education, and the higher education realm.” 

The Student Travel Fund, Academic Achievement Programs, and the School of Education sponsored this year’s trip. The paper was co-authored by Kimberly Dickerson, interim dean of the School of Education, and Camryn Wilson, another student participant in last year’s Compass Fund project. Unfortunately, Dickerson and Wilson were unable to attend this year’s conference.

“Last year, they attended as learners, absorbing knowledge about cutting-edge research and best practices. This year, they returned as researchers themselves, proudly stepping into the scholarly community and sharing their own work and insights. Experiences like this not only validate their academic potential but also expand their sense of possibility for the future,” Bouie concluded.

Reported by Mandee McCullough

Photos submitted