The Impact of IRT
Program History & Highlights
- Founded in 1990
- 2,820 alumni to date
- 418 PhD degrees completed
- Top PhD degree-granting fields: Education (17%), English (16%), History (13%)
- 60 tenured faculty and 63 tenure-track faculty at institutions including Boston University, Brown University, Cornell University, MIT, Northwestern University, NYU, Sarah Lawrence College, UCLA, University of Virginia
- Over 1,000 alumni with terminal master's degrees in the humanities, social sciences, and education.
- In addition to higher education faculty members, IRT alumni are working as elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers, principals, superintendents, school psychologists, counselors, and higher education administrators.
2022-23 IRT Cohort
755
applications processed to graduate programs at Consortium institutions
77%
of students reporting admittance to graduate school
42%
of students reporting that they received full funding for their graduate program
95%
of students identifying as Black, Latinx, Asian or Pacific Islander, Native American or Multiracial
Institute for Recruitment of Teachers:
Offering intensive summer programming and year-round support
Through an array of 2022-2023 summer and academic year programming and counsel, IRT scholars received dedicated 1:1 mentoring and advising support in addition to a comprehensive summer curriculum, all offered virtually with a goal of preparing students for graduate experiences in education and the humanities. With a deep emphasis on building community, centering wellness, deepening curriculum connections, and expanding outreach, the IRT's 33rd year provided an impactful experience for over 100 scholars spread around the world.
- Building Community: Develop community and a sense of belonging among the IRT cohort through field choice and regions.
- Centering Wellness: Cultivate healing center engagement (Ginwright, 2018) to address the past years’ pandemic and racial injustice impacts.
- Deepening Curriculum Connections: Revise the IRT curriculum to ensure alignment to current higher education trends.
- Expanding Instructional Outreach: Broaden IRT scholars' experiences of teaching "in community" (i.e., community centers, prison complexes, local libraries) instead of just in traditional school and classroom spaces.
In 2022-2023, over 40 consortium partners supported the IRT Scholars with fee waivers, informational presentations, and guidance throughout the graduate application process. IRT staff and alumni produced instructional webinars, provided resources, and aided scholars throughout the admissions and matriculation process.
IRT 2022 Cohort
104
Admitted Students in the Associates Program
62%
Female
21%
Male
16%
Non-Binary, Gender Fluid, Gender Queer
114
Total Applications Representing
20+
public, private and minority serving institutions
80%
Enrolled in a PHd/EdD Graduate Program
19%
Enrolled in MA/MS/MFA/MAT Graduate Program
Students React to the Impact of IRT
"As a first-generation immigrant, first-generation student, and a person of color, doctoral education has always seemed a far-fetched dream. Unfortunately, the world of academia is not tailor-made for students like me, so having a support system or a mentor who has been through that journey was imperative. I am grateful for IRT's support while working through my Ph.D. applications. The constant reassurance from my IRT advisor and unwavering support from my SOP Advisor have enabled me to understand that doctoral education is not beyond my reach. In addition, I have found a supportive and collaborative network of young scholars at IRT who, with all their might, hope to make this world a better place."
”"IRT provided holistic support during my Ph.D. application cycle, from opportunities to advising. Over the summer, IRT's intimate recruitment sessions allowed me the opportunity to meet with admissions directors, DEI directors, and professors in a small group setting to not only learn about the program but also form connections. IRT also provided incredible support in helping me to manage the application process, in particular when it came to my writing. My advisor worked with me week after week to create writing that was meaningful and effective. The support I received allowed me to submit my applications weeks before the official deadline, all while I was working a full time job. IRT opened doors, and helped me to articulate the best version of myself. I can't recommend IRT enough for any aspiring scholar looking to make an impact in the world, especially those without the generational knowledge of academia."
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