Urban Studies Professors Moderate Panels at Symposium Focusing on Latino Students

On Friday, October 17th, Urban Studies professors Dr. Thomas Conroy and Dr. Timothy Murphy moderated panels at the PEAS Symposium: Meeting the Moment, Protecting Education Pathways for Latino students in MA schools, which was held at Worcester State.

This symposium convened educators, policymakers, youth, and community leaders to reflect on key themes from the newly published book Critical Perspectives on Latino Education in Massachusetts, to which Drs. Conroy and Murphy contributed a chapter along with Worcester State co-authors Professor of Sociology, Alex Briesacher and Mary Jo Marion, Associate Vice President of University and Community Engagement.

The symposium was a day of learning, dialogue, and collective action, featuring voices from practitioners, superintendents, college presidents, and experts who each offer unique perspectives aimed at fostering meaningful dialogue and impactful collaboration. Dr. Conroy’s panel explored how current and emerging federal and state policies and priorities impact Latino children and their families and how policy decisions shape Latino students’ access to resources, educational opportunities, and long-term outcomes. Dr. Murphy’s panel highlighted the leadership, resilience, and vision of Latino youth and how they are reimagining and impacting education and advocacy.

The event was co-sponsored by the Latino Education Institute & Urban Studies Department at Worcester State University as well as the Mauricio Gastón Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Featured in the photo is Dr. Melissa Colón of the University of Massachusetts Boston who spoke about forces disrupting educational systems as part of the symposium's opening plenary.

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