Congratulations to Child and Family Studies graduate student, Ericka Hill, on receiving The Emerging Leaders Award from the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI). ACEI is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to promoting educational excellence worldwide. Their mission is to “promote innovative solutions to education challenges and inspire action that creates positive, sustainable futures for children and youth worldwide.”
The Emerging Leaders Award is given to educators or education advocates who demonstrate a strong desire to further themselves as an education leader. As an awardee, Hill will attend the Institute of the Center for Education Diplomacy, held in Washington, D.C. from April 20th to the 22nd. At the conference, she will have the opportunity to learn how “acts of diplomacy—using skills such as partnering, collaborating, building coalitions, developing networks, shaping agreements, negotiating, mediating, engaging in critical dialogue, and using the techniques of conflict resolution—are helping to eliminate barriers to education and shaping a new agenda for the education of children around the world.”
Hill will graduate with her Master’s of Science in May. She has a number of career goals that include, but are not limited to, becoming an Executive Director of Educational Programs and Services, US Secretary of Education, US Secretary of Health and Human Services, and a United Nations Peacekeeping Officer. In her own words, “anything is possible with consistent effort and passion.” Ericka Hill has a bright future ahead of her and we cannot wait to see where she ends up!
Hill at ACEI Conference with Dr. Samara Akpovo (UT CFS Faculty member starting Fall 2017)