About Us

Stephanie Oudghiri

Director

Dr. Stephanie Oudghiri is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Curriculum Studies at Purdue University. The overarching concentration of her work is on social justice and practices that contribute to enacting ethics of care for minoritized students in rural communities. Her research focuses on increasing pre-service teachers’ level of cultural confidence and deepening their level of understanding. Her book, “Struggling to find our way:” Rural Educators’ Experiences Working With and Caring for Latinx Students examines the beliefs, attitudes, and practices of educators in rural Indiana and serves to shed light on the entwined lives experiences of herself, her participants, and the community in which they reside. ​Additionally, Dr. Oudghiri engages in research that examines pre-service teachers’ partnerships with community organizations that serve our local populations and how working in these sites helps to develop competence in culturally responsive teaching and learning practices.
 
 
Contact: stoudghi@purdue.edu

Jennifer Barce

Executive Director

Jennifer Barce currently serves as the Assistant Dean for Teacher Education and the Director of Clinical Practice at Purdue University, West Lafayette.  Prior to this position, she worked at the former Saint Joseph’s College in Rensselaer as Department Head and Professor, specializing in Developmental Literacy.  She worked in K-12 schools as a Kindergarten teacher and Reading Specialist prior to entering the world of higher education.  She received her doctorate degree from Indiana University in Curriculum and Instruction and is a parent to four rural school graduates. Dr. Barce is from a family of Hoosier educators and is happy to carry on their commitment to public education.
 
Contact: jbarce@purdue.edu

Jay T. Akridge

Trustee Chair in Teaching and Learning Excellence Professor of Agricultural Economics Purdue University

Jay Akridge is the Trustee Chair in Teaching and Learning Excellence at Purdue University. He served from 2017-2022 as Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Diversity at Purdue. Jay previously served for 9+ years as the Glenn W. Sample Dean/Interim Dean of Agriculture, was Director of the Purdue Center for Food and Agricultural Business and Interim Vice Provost for Engagement. Jay is the recipient of the Charles Murphy Award for Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching (1996) and was named a University Faculty Scholar in 2000. He held the James and Lois Ackerman Professorship in Agricultural Economics before moving into administration. Jay received his master’s and doctorate in agricultural economics from Purdue and his bachelor’s degree from Murray State University.

Rebekah Hammack

Assistant Professor, Science Education Department of Curriculum & Instruction Purdue University

Rebekah Hammack is an assistant professor of science education in the College of Education at Purdue University and a former Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow at the National Science Foundation. Prior to her fellowship at NSF, Dr. Hammack spent 12 years as a middle school science and engineering teacher in Oklahoma. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in animal sciences and a Ph.D. in professional education studies with a concentration in science education. Her research focuses on the connection of local knowledge and context to STEM interest and identity development in youth, particularly rural and Indigenous youth in elementary and middle grades, as well as how elementary teachers develop teaching efficacy and identity as STEM educators.

Sarah E. LaRose

Associate Professor, Agricultural Education Purdue University

Dr. Sarah E. LaRose is an Associate Professor of Agricultural Education at Purdue University. As a member of a military family, Dr. LaRose grew up moving to various domestic and international locations before her family settled in Connecticut, where she first enrolled in agricultural education CTE courses at her high school. She began her career in agricultural education as a high school agricultural education teacher and FFA Advisor in Woodbury, Connecticut from 2008 – 2015. Since joining Purdue as a faculty member in 2018, Dr. LaRose teaches undergraduate coursework in Teaching Methods, Curriculum Development, and Laboratory Practices in Agricultural Education. Her research seeks to cultivate the development of agricultural educators who actively create student-centered, inclusive programs so that all students can experience the transformative benefits of agricultural education

Kier Crites Muller

President/CEO Food Finders Food Bank

Kier Crites Muller is the President and CEO of Food Finders Food Bank. Food Finders provides food and connections to life stabilizing resources when our neighbors need us most. The food bank serves 16 counties across west central Indiana. Kier joined Food Finders in 2010 as its first program coordinator and now draws on her experience working across numerous roles at the food bank. Kier is actively engaged in our communities, serving on several boards and committees throughout Food Finders’ service area.

Janay Rentas

Coordinator LGBTQ Center Purdue University

Janay is the Program Coordinator at the Purdue LGBTQ Center and a Purdue University Alumna. Janay is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Education for School Counseling. She is passionate about creating an accessible and inclusive academic setting for each student. When she isn’t working or in class, Janay enjoys hiking, crocheting, and eating her favorite foods with her favorite people.