Cameron K. Ramirez Notable Op-ed
A doctoral student in the College of Education is using the power of the pen to help create a space where students of diverse backgrounds can be seen and valued. 
Ph.D. student Cameron K. Ramirez wrote the op-ed, “When It Comes to DEI, Principals Must Be More Than Performative: How to turn our words into action”, for the independent newspaper the Education Week.
Ramirez used her writing to argue that the K-12 education system should not become a political playground when it comes to topics around diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI.
“At the heart of DEI is the end goal of leveling the playing field and creating equitable opportunity,” she says. “I think like a school leader, so I am always thinking about how to improve my systems to make sure that all students are being pushed to exceed and to help fill in the gaps for students.”
For Ramirez, who has been serving as an educator for 17 years and is currently a principal, DEI initiatives can help students make the connection to learning. In her op-ed, Ramirez stresses the value in DEI training.
“I think what is valuable is being able to have an open mind more than anything,” she says. “It is not just about listening to what people tell you and empathizing, it is about listening and then learning and taking actions big and small. That does not mean that we will always agree, but I will commit to always doing my best to learn, understand, and act when necessary.”
The op-ed was written as a doctoral assignment for Dr. Frederick Engram Jr.’s course, EDAD 5380 Diversity and Equity in Education. The course examines and evaluates the practices, issues, and trends in diversity, equity and inclusion pertaining to higher education.
“I loved his class because it was engaging and required me to challenge myself,” states Ramirez, who is enrolled in the Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. “He provided great discussion and readings that you could not walk away from without asking yourself, ‘how am I part of the solution?’”
Through Dr. Engram’s teaching and other training sessions of DEI, Ramirez has been flourishing in different positions throughout the years. She has been able to positively impact students, faculty, and staff.
“While I have been a principal for 8 years, his class brought renewed focus for me on what I am working on and if my perspective and lenses were adjusted,” she stated. “I think his class prepares you to be a human more than anything.”