The Impact of IRT

Mission

The Institute for Recruitment of Teachers (IRT) addresses the lack of diversity in the nation’s teaching faculties by recruiting outstanding college students of color and other scholars committed to diversity, counseling them through the graduate school application process, and advocating for the sufficient funding of advanced study.

Key Features

• Transformative Programming: Year-round advising and application support for aspiring educators pursuing graduate programs and careers in K–12, higher education, and related fields. 
• Personal and Professional Development: Support for 7–12 graduate program applications, including advising from two IRT mentors, fee waivers, discounted GRE prep, and access to the IRT Alumni Network. 
• Community Partnerships: Connection to 40+ consortium schools that admit and fund IRT students in Master’s and Ph.D. programs—key partners in advancing educational equity and diversity. 

Impact and Results

• 70% of the 2024 cohort are matriculating into graduate school
• 40% of the 2024 cohort received full funding to graduate school
• 854 grad school applications processed for the 2024 cohort
• 444 PhD degrees and 1,000+ terminal master’s degrees earned by alumni
  • Top PhD degree-granting fields: education 16%, English 14%, history 12%
  • Terminal master’s degrees in humanities, social sciences, and education—include alumni working as elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers, principals, superintendents, school psychologists, counselors, and higher ed administrators
• 219 PhD degrees in process
• 64 alumni of the program as tenured faculty:
  • A partial list of institutions where tenured faculty work include: Boston University, Brown University, Cornell, Howard University, MIT, NYU, Northwestern University, University of California–Berkeley, University of Michigan, Sarah Lawrence College, UCLA, and UVA
• 62 alumni of the program on the tenure track

Alumni Speak

“I want to take a moment to thank you all for the incredible support I've received throughout this program. IRT has helped me tremendously—from the close relationship I've formed with folks in my cohort, to the invaluable guidance from my IRT advisor, Ms. Leislie [Godo-Solo], and the thoughtful feedback from my SOP advisor, Marcella (whom I've texted to express my gratitude!). From the summer sessions to the application fee waivers and discounted GRE services, IRT has been nothing short of amazing. I'm truly thankful to be part of this community. As you continue this excellent, mission-driven work, please know that your efforts, care, and the sacrifices you make are having a positive impact and are deeply appreciated.” —Cassia, ’24 cohort 

“For me it all started with IRT. My career, which began 15 years ago, continues to thrive due to a team of life long supporters. This community that we build in our summer IRT program does not just create a strong impact in our careers, it also gives us the confidence to believe in ourselves and our potential as educators and learners. I am grateful to have met, conversed with, and learned from not only fellow summer faculty but from scholars as well. I appreciated every interaction had and hope that through the lens of culturally responsive education, scholars and faculty alike continue to celebrate, respect, reflect in, and honor our diversity.” —Astrid, ’08 cohort 

Alumni Unite for Summer Workshop Experience

Thank You 

The Institute for Recruitment of Teachers is primarily funded through the generosity of individual donors. As a result, the program is free of charge for all selected students, which includes individualized support and extensive counseling around graduate school and career goals, application and GRE fee waivers, and course materials. Thank you!