Dr. Sandra Morris-Aarons Alumni Scholarship

Cupola atop a building on the Molloy University campus

Dr. Sandra Morris-Aarons

Sandra Morris-Aarons

 Dr. Sandra Morris-Aarons

 

The Morris-Aarons Alumni Award is named in honor of Dr. Sandra Morris-Aarons, a Molloy Ed.D. alumni who demonstrated outstanding commitment to research and scholarship for improving education for diverse learners. As an early childhood educator and researcher of early childhood education, Dr. Morris-Aarons’s passion was to provide affirming education for populations of students who have historically been marginalized and discriminated against in schools. She used her voice as a social justice researcher and leader to advocate for healthy and empowering schools for diverse learners, especially Black boys starting from early childhood. This award recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of Ed.D. students who walk the legacy of Dr. Morris-Aarons by using their scholarly voices to advocate for the improvement of education for diverse learners.

Morris-Aarons Award Recipients

  • 2024 Morris-Aarons Award Recipient

    Dr. Mary E. Pettit
    Dr. Mary E. Pettit, '24

     

    Beyond Selection and Practice: A Phenomenological Inquiry into the Lived Experiences of K-5 Literacy Curriculum Leaders on Long Island, NY
    My research will focus on gaining a deeper understanding of  the lived experiences of curriculum leaders as they navigate   the systematic structures of accountability such as politics,   policy, and mandates when selecting and evaluating literacy  curriculum. While my proposed study specifically explores the   experiences of district elementary literacy curriculum leaders   in Long Island in how they perceive their role and navigate   the challenges presented by systematic education policy, it   will pave the way for future researchers to explore the   experiences of other stakeholders who navigate these   structures as well. Ultimately, to ensure that all students   regardless of race, ethnicity, or economic status have access   to quality books and equitable resources, our research must   connect the dots between who creates, enforces, and evaluates education policy and most importantly who benefits and who does not.

  • 2025 Morris-Aarons Award Recipients

    Dr. Ndũcũ wa Ngũgĩ
    Dr. Ndũcũ wa Ngũgĩ,'25

     

    Food Security and Education: A bridge towards equity and social justice
    We can all agree that education is an inherent human right, but many students face insurmountable hardships that impede their ability to learn or even attend school.  My research on food insecurity spotlights a fundamental but understated factor that impacts student academic achievement: access to adequate and nutritious food. By understanding the lived experiences of food-insecure families, my research offers invaluable insights that center equity and empower diverse student populations across this country.

     

    Dr. Ndũcũ wa Ngũgĩ
    Dr. Joe Weinstein,'25

     

    Rewriting the map: How first-generation students navigate capital and construct place identity in higher education
    We can all agree that education is an inherent human right, but many students face insurmountable hardships that impede their ability to learn or even attend school.  My research on food insecurity spotlights a fundamental but understated factor that impacts student academic achievement: access to adequate and nutritious food. By understanding the lived experiences of food-insecure families, my research offers invaluable insights that center equity and empower diverse student populations across this country.