Dr. Imandeep Grewal

Director

Assistant Professor of Teacher Education; Director of Office of Place-Based Education and NEXT Scholars Program

Dr. Iman Grewal is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Teacher Education at Eastern Michigan University where she teaches undergraduate, graduate, and PhD courses in human development, human well-being, qualitative research, and children and families in poverty. In 2015 she completed the AS-L Faculty Fellowship and has since then taught her undergraduate courses as AS-L courses. In 2022 she completed the Advanced AS-L Fellowship. Dr. Grewal is an experienced community-engaged educator and scholar having designed and led several projects with local organizations such as Neutral Zone, 826michigan, SEMIS, and United Way of Washtenaw.

Johnnetta S. C. Ricks

Student Teaching Supervisor

Johnnetta Ricks, also known as Ms. J, works as a full-time high school math interventionist, EMU student teaching supervisor, and as an advisor & program administrator in the EMU NEXT Scholars program. Ms. J earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Michigan State University, a Master of Arts in K-12 Curriculum, and a Specialist Degree in Educational Studies with a concentration in urban education.

Hannah Bollin

Doctoral Fellow of Educational Studies

Hannah Bollin is a doctoral fellow in the Educational Studies department at Eastern Michigan University and a Site Coordinator for the after school mentoring program Project BIG. Her research interests include intersectional mentorship, queer pedagogy, and the experiences of LGBTQIA+ students in educational spaces. Being a first generation high school graduate from rural Appalachia, Hannah’s work in education is very personal to her and her passion stems from the many great mentors who supported her along the way.

Diala Dagher

Doctoral Fellow of Educational Studies

Diala Dagher is a doctoral candidate in the teacher education program. She earned her masters in Sociology from the Lebanese University and chose to continue her doctorate at Eastern Michigan University’s College of education. Her research interests are concentrated on how Middle East cultures are taught in American universities as well how school texts portray the Middle East region. Diala has joined Next Scholar in Winter of 2024 and believe that this program is a place were teacher students can meet colleagues to share ideas, talk, laugh, eat and discover their potentials. Next Scholar is a place that includes diverse students with varied interests. Despite their differences, they always seek for common ground to share and discuss topics of interest.