Frederick Douglass Institute

 

The Frederick Douglass Institute at PennWest Edinboro is an interdisciplinary, campus wide body that serves as a resource for information about, and advocacy on issues related to, equity and diversity at PennWest Edinboro.

2018 Frederick Douglass Scholar
Kevon K. Bruce, M.Ed.

A school counselor and counseling educator with an extensive background at the secondary education level, Kevon J. Bruce, M.Ed., joins PennWest Edinboro's School of Education in the Department of Counseling, School Psychology and Special Education for his tenure as 2018-2019 Frederick Douglass Scholar.

Bruce, who has a significant interest in closing the academic achievement gap for youth of color in impoverished communities, said that his experience as a product of an inner city school system and a school counselor gives him the insight into the conditions and curriculum of these individuals and families.

"I have witnessed the disparities in distribution of funds, teacher talents and expectations within the two settings," said Bruce, who is passionate about leading high-risk youth to successful education attainment. "I aspire to show them that they can do anything they set their minds to, no matter their race, gender or economic status."

Bruce is currently a doctoral candidate at Argosy University in Arlington, Va., pursuing his Doctor of Education in Counselor Education and Supervision. Prior to doctoral studies, he received his Master of Education in School Counseling from California University and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre & Performance from Purchase College, a State University of New York. Bruce also added a minor in Playwriting.

At Edinboro, Bruce will be working under the guidance of Dr. Adrienne Dixon, assistant professor in Edinboro's Department of Counseling, School Psychology and Special Education.

Bruce said he decided to apply to the Frederick Douglass Institute at Edinboro because of the success of the University's counseling program.

"I wanted to be a part of this culture and leave my mark," he said. "Additionally, my professors and colleagues alike have received their counseling degrees from Edinboro and I was armored by the program."

As an educator, Bruce has taught group counseling, school counseling and multicultural counseling at Lehman College and Mercy College in Bronx, NY and at New York University.

During his early career as a school counselor, Bruce managed cases and mentored secondary students throughout Pennsylvania, New York and Maryland. Most recently, he conducted individual counseling sessions, weekly group sessions and crisis management interventions at Invictus Preparatory Charter School in Brooklyn, NY He also conducted individual and group sessions for 323 students at Easton High School in Maryland, and monitored the social developments of students at Hosanna House, Inc. in Pittsburgh.

As a graduate student at California, Bruce served as a student-athlete advisor and a peer mentor through the Office of Health and Wellness.

Bruce is an active member of the New York, Maryland and Pennsylvania School Counseling Association, the American Counseling Association and the Association of Counselor Education and Supervision.

At Edinboro, Bruce said that his priority is to contribute to the university and the counseling program while fostering positive relationships with the students on campus and the surrounding community.

"I want to show the fellowship committee that they have made the right decision by choosing me to be this year's fellow," said Bruce, whose career highlights include being an adjunct professor at NYU and erecting B.E.S.T. - a mentorship program for young boys of color at Easton High School in Maryland. "I hope by the end of this year I will leave Edinboro as a much wiser, and refined gentleman."

The son of Joshua and Sharon Bruce, the incoming Edinboro educator has two brothers - Jermaine and Malcolm.

In keeping with Frederick Douglass' life of public service and commitment to equity and access, the Frederick Douglass Institutes of Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education offers teaching opportunities to graduate students who are pursuing careers as university faculty and who are entering the final year of terminal degree and/or doctoral programs.

Frederick Douglass Scholars Fellowships are designed to provide teaching and other professional experiences, mentoring and potential employment opportunities within universities that are strongly committed to cultural diversity.

History

The Frederick Douglass Institute at PennWest Edinboro is a member of the Frederick Douglass Collaborative Partnership. The collaborative exists across 14 campuses in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, supporting the education and development of more than 110,000 students across the Commonwealth.

Purpose

The Frederick Douglass Institute seeks to create and nurture "academic communities" that will support the growth, development, and success of all students, staff and faculty at PennWest Edinboro.

Mission

Promote academic excellence, civic engagement, and the understanding and appreciation of human diversity.

Projects

Frederick Douglass Fellowship

The Douglass Fellowships are designed to provide teaching and other professional experiences, mentoring, and potential employment opportunities within universities that are strongly committed to cultural diversity. Applicants from diverse cultural backgrounds, especially those from historically underrepresented groups, are encouraged to apply.

Fellows will be compensated as adjunct faculty, according to each university's collective bargaining agreement. Additionally, Fellows may be provided housing and travel. The appointment is for the fellow alone, not families, and fellows are responsible for their own local transportation. Faculty benefits (office space, computer and network access, and library privileges) are also provided.

Minimum requirements are: Applicant must be U.S. citizen or permanent resident; MA degree completed and enrollment in a terminal degree program (Ph.D., MFA, Ed. D, etc.); academic background in one of the disciplines taught at the university. Preferred: teaching experience; currently ABD or doctorate within last two years.

Douglass Collaborative Support for Undergraduate Research

For undergraduate researchers who are preparing to pursue the Ph.D. after graduation, the Collaborative provides an exceptional opportunity. Consider applying to the Yale Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) through your university's FDI.

Frederick Douglass Collaborative Conferences and Colloquia

Douglass Institutes across the System have a number of programs designed to support rich intellectual inquiry and exchange in their communities. The annual Frederick Douglass Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Conference takes place a Bloomsburg University each spring semester.

Making Connections: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Cultural Diversity

Making Connections is the interdisciplinary journal of the Frederick Douglass Institute Partnership. Produced twice a year, the journal publishes essays that explore cultural diversity from any discipline, as well as poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. It is an opportunity for faculty, staff and students to publish their work or research.

Collaborative Events

The Frederick Douglass Institute Partnership has special events taking place regularly.

FDI Strategic Plan 2014-2018

If you wish to apply, please send completed application and required documents to:

Brenda Marquis
Office of Human Resources
219 Meadville Street
3rd Floor Reeder Hall
Edinboro, PA 16444
Email:
bmarquis@pennwest.edu

Contact Us

The Center for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Frank G. Pogue Student Center
405 Scotland Road
Edinboro, PA 16444
Phone: 814-732-2912