 Left: Facia Strong (undergraduate); Former student in Dr. Iloh's "Controversies in College" course Center: Dr. Constance Iloh Right: Joshua Isiaiah Cinque- Scruggs (undergraduate); Mentored by Dr. Iloh Dr. Constance Iloh was awarded the Social Justice Activist Award at the 2019 Dynamic Womxn Awards. The Social Justice Activist Award recognizes an incredible womxn and role model actively making a difference in our community and inspiring action. While reading about Dr. Iloh and her extensive contributions before giving her the award, Jade Turner shared: This recipient is a substantial mentor, leader, professor, and educator at the School of Education. Her presence in the classroom and beyond is felt by her students who look to her for advice and comfort on their journey here at UCI. She has been described as a cool, dynamic, amazing, strong, Black womxn who not only challenges her students, but provides a vulnerable and informative space. One nominator for Dr. Iloh said, “The reason why I appreciate this dynamic womxn is because she is my rock that keeps me going within my educational career… I felt comfortable enough with her in one office hour, to be vulnerable, tell my truth, and to process my feelings and emotions”. This individual uplifts, motivates, and encourages students of color to push forward. In the words of this winner, “Dream big, because we don’t settle.” The UCI Dynamic Womxn awards ceremony took place on May 28, 2019. Below are just two of the nominations for Dr. Constance Iloh: When searching for classes like any other students I look to see what professors teach each class, but I also look for their ethnicity. In my dream class I would be taught by a strong Black female, who would challenge me intellectually, and be able to understand me on a deep level, with a deeper connection. That’s what I found in Dr. Iloh. Before I took a class with her, I would hear about how amazing and cool Dr.Iloh was, wishing that I would meet her and to be in her presence. When the chance came I made sure to make room in my schedule to develop an amazing mentor that I didn’t know I needed. Fall quarter of my third year I sign up for a class titled “Controversy in College”, going into this class excited by the name, and just as excited at who was teaching the class, Dr. Iloh. I could go on and on about how amazing the class was, and how it shaped my views, as well as taught me to stand by my views. However, the reason why I appreciate this dynamic womxn is because she is my rock that keeps me going within my educational career. It initially started off as an office hour meeting to talk about me going into graduate school, and ended with me crying about the real reasons of me not wanting to go into a master's program. I felt comfortable enough with Dr. Iloh in this one office hour, to be vulnerable, tell my truth, and to process my feelings and emotions. From this moment, and the teaching in her class, I value and cherish faculty of color so much more. For being able to uplift, motivate, be vulnerable, encourage myself and other students of color. One thing that Dr. Iloh told me once that I live by is “dream big, because we don’t settle.” Dr. Iloh has personally challenged me to be a researcher and producer of qualitative research. Because of her, I have decided in pursuing my Ph.D. in education. After taking Dr. Iloh’s Controversies in College course last fall we cultivated strong conversations with relevant current media and literature that students can relate with. In her course we were able to analyze and critique higher institutions of higher education by having fruitful dialogue with fellow peers in the class. I was able to visibly interact with the students in the classroom and we learned each other's names, an opportunity I haven't had in my other courses. Dr. Iloh’s class was the most interesting course that I have taken at UCI and my classmates can agree. I have recommended her class to all my fellow peers. I hope to see more of Dr. Iloh’s in the future. This is my reason of my nomination.  Left to right: Sophaline Chuong (graduate student); Former student in Dr. Iloh's Qualitative Research Methods Course
Dr. Constance Iloh, Joshua Isiaiah Cinque- Scruggs, Facia Strong Comments are closed.
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