Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Laura Jiménez Honored for Literacy Advocacy

BU Wheelock’s Laura M. Jiménez, associate dean of equity, diversity & inclusion, was recently awarded the Divergent Award for Excellence in Literacy Advocacy. The award, given by the Initiative for Literacy in a Digital Age, honors individuals for their use of digital spaces to advocate for literacy, students, and equity in all facets of academia.

“Keeping students interested, engaged, and invested is paramount to learning,” says Jiménez. “Modeling the kinds of classroom experiences that are cognitively flexible, vibrant, challenging, and fun is critical in effective teacher education.”

Established in 2014, the Initiative for Literacy in a Digital Age recognizes the importance of literacy in a digital age, those who diverge from traditional pedagogies and research approaches, and the indelible contributions of educators and scholars who have dedicated their careers to the theoretical and practical study of 21st century literacies.

“The educators, librarians, community organizers, college and career leaders, and students honored by this recognition are paving the way for equity, diversity, inclusivity, and access to texts and tools for all learners,” said Shelbie Witte, founding director of the Initiative.

At BU Wheelock, Jiménez examines the elements of purpose, person, text, and context, especially in relation to children’s and young adult literature. She is a founding advisory board member of Research on Diversity in Youth Literature (RDYL) and a strong advocate for social justice-oriented approaches to literacy and literature.