معرفی
Maria McKenna, Ph.D., is a Professor of the Practice at the University of Notre Dame, holding a joint appointment in the Department of Africana Studies and the Education, Schooling, & Society program. She directs the Transformational Leaders and AnBryce Scholars Programs, focusing on supporting first-generation and historically underserved students. Her research emphasizes educational equity, youth empowerment, and peace education, with a focus on urban and community-based contexts. McKenna earned her B.A. from Notre Dame, an M.S.Ed. from Northwestern University, and a Ph.D. from Saint Louis University.
Her work integrates community-based methodologies, such as photovoice and participatory action research, to amplify youth voices in civic engagement. McKenna has received prestigious awards, including the Reinhold Niebuhr Award for social justice and the Rev. Edmund P. Joyce Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. She actively contributes to initiatives like Good Shepherd Montessori School and the Robinson Community Learning Center.
- Education: B.A., University of Notre Dame; M.S.Ed., Northwestern University; Ph.D., Saint Louis University
- Affiliations: Institute for Educational Initiatives Fellow
Mckenna teaches courses on educational philosophy, urban education, and diversity, emphasizing community-based learning. Her research spans Montessori education, youth voice, and the intersection of education with ethnic studies, reflecting her commitment to social justice and transformative pedagogy.
