Chestin Auzenne-Curl is a member of the first CUIN Ph.D. cohort, and she makes us Cougar Proud.

Auzenne-Curl wants to initiate wide-scale public education systems reform after graduation, and to do that, she knew she needed a program that would equip her with the various methodologies she will use in her research and activism. The only natural choice was the UH College of Education.

“I would like to produce a body of work that honors the complex and ever-evolving role of the classroom teacher,” says Auzenne-Curl. “I would also like to continue to support and encourage educators to view and cultivate our role as an indispensable part of the future of our global community.”

Recently, Auzenne-Curl received a scholarship to participate at the recent AERA meeting in Chicago. Cheryl Craig, professor in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction, and Auzenne-Curl’s advisor says, “Chestin’s selection demonstrated that CUIN's Ph.D. in Urban Education is competitive.  More than that, Chestin's award introduced her research to the international research community. Many eyes will be on her as her work progresses.”

In addition to furthering her education and publishing articles, Auzenne-Curl works hard to keep her fellow cohort students supported. “Our community cares about teachers' lives,” says fellow student Jing Li. “Our community cares about racial issues in education and brings active engagement in urban education. Chestin helps establish a learning community among doctorate colleagues. It is really nice to have a peer like her.”

We can’t wait to see what Auzenne-Curl will do next. In the mean time, we asked her to give some advice to future students. “My advice to future students is to come in ready for your individual renaissance!  My peers and I are consistently sharing our “firsts”: First publications, grants, scholarships, publications, conferences, international travel.  There is a door to the future here, come open it.”