Issac's Bio

Hello, I am Issac Akande (in casual settings I prefer to go by the name Rob, but whatever).

I was born and raised in Wichita, KS where I attended both Southeast High School and North High School. Upon my graduation from North High I entered the University of Kansas where I studied Political Science and History, while working with second graders at the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence, KS. Soon afterwards I began graduate school at the University of Oregon where, in 2010, I received a master degree in education and teaching accreditation. Prior to coming to Illinois I spent the past 3 years teaching high school studies, and have come here to conduct PhD research under the guidance of the Department of Education Policy, Organization and Leadership (EPOL).

            My primary area of interest centers around history of American Indian education, specifically their efforts to resist and undermined the U.S. government’s mandate of American Indian assimilation through a Eurocentric style of compulsory education at boarding schools. My interest in American Indian educational issues has its origin in my experiences working within those communities as both a student, I attended a tribal college that originally served as a government run American Indian boarding school, and as a educator, I served as a social studies teacher on an American Indian reservation. Understanding the histories of American Indians within the educational sphere has become essential for understanding the educational difficulties and struggles of their populace, and is necessary for effectively teaching and mentoring American Indian students, increasing their educational attainment, empowering their communities, and protecting their treaty rights.

What topic I’ll be studying this summer, however, has yet to be determined/solidified.

Thank you for reading.

            Peacefully, Issac Akande