Graduate Student Council
Sheryl Patterson-Coulibaly
Executive Chair & President
Sheryl Patterson-Coulibaly is an educator, mentor, and emerging scholar whose work lives at the intersection of research, advocacy, and empowerment. Currently, a doctoral student at the University of North Florida (UNF), she centers her scholarship on cultivating spaces of belonging for marginalized populations, with a particular emphasis on Black women navigating professional educational spaces. Rooted in Black Feminist and Marxist theory, her research interrogates systems of power while amplifying the lived experiences of those who have historically been unheard.
Through the lens of Black Girl Magic, Sheryl’s work examines identity, labor, resilience, and representation, challenging dominant narratives and carving out space for authenticity and agency. Her commitment to mentorship, critical inquiry, and liberation is both a calling and a charge. With a heart for justice and a voice that speaks truth with grace and grit, Sheryl Patterson-Coulibaly isn’t just contributing to the conversation—she’s redefining it.
Edith P. Middleton
Executive Secretary
Edith is a 2nd year Ph.D. fellow in English Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. She is devoted to exploring teacher education and mentorship, specifically for mid-to-late-career teachers. Edith embodies 15 years of college and public high school teaching in Connecticut and Hawai’i as an English teacher, and teacher leader. She is National Board Certified and a recipient of prestigious Fulbright and Pulitzer Center fellowships. In addition to her academic pursuits, she is an adjunct professor, a student teacher supervisor, and new teacher mentor.
Edith is deeply involved in graduate student leadership, serving as Chair-Elect of AERA’s Graduate Student Council, Co-Chair of ELATE’s Graduate Student Board, and Co-Founder and Executive Secretary of AATC’s GSC. Edith fosters supportive living environments as a residential Community Assistant and co-founded the Feminist Circle, a Teachers College student organization advocating for gender equality. She leads professional development workshops on mentorship as well as AI literacy and writing instruction to engage educators with emerging technologies.
Outside of academia, when her nose is not in a book, Edith is a sports enthusiast who enjoys Pilates, skiing, kitesurfing, surfing with her pup, Hemingway, and exploring NYC with her two daughters.
Michelle Russell
Executive Communications
Michelle Russell is a passionate and committed educator, currently pursuing her doctorate at the University of North Florida (UNF). With a strong background in K-12 literacy, Michelle is dedicated to advancing hands-on student learning and fostering growth in all of her learners. She believes in creating educational spaces where students can thrive by learning in meaningful, real-world contexts.
Her academic focus emphasizes social justice, as she works tirelessly to challenge traditional educational frameworks. Michelle advocates for diversity and culture, integrating these essential elements into every aspect of her teaching. She is especially inspired by the concept of "fugitive pedagogy," exploring ways to teach forgotten knowledge and offer opportunities to those who have been historically shunned or marginalized.
Michelle’s approach to education seeks to amplify voices and provide equitable opportunities for all students, ensuring that every learner has access to the resources they need to succeed.
Lauren Cowden
Executive Out-Reach
Lauren is a first-generation immigrant daughter and person of faith from Southern California (Go Dodgers & Lakers!). She is a co-founder and member of the Graduate Student Council for AATC and is pursuing her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Denver. Lauren is an aspiring educational leader and advocate for youth empowerment and equity across all educational settings.
She currently serves as the Youth Director at University Park United Methodist Church, located near the DU and ILIFF campuses. She also works as a literacy tutor at Samuels Elementary, supporting 2nd and 3rd graders and English Language Learners in reaching their reading goals.
Lauren holds a bachelor's degree in Sociology with a minor in Psychology and a Master’s in Education from Minot State University, where she earned both degrees on a softball scholarship. She also brings experience as a collegiate coach, graduate assistant, camp counselor, and nanny.
Lauren is dedicated to supporting youth development and believes in the power of collaboration and representation to create meaningful change. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her boyfriend and family, walking her dog, Zeus (aka JuJu), reading autobiographies, listening to music, hiking, and watching movies.
Adetutu Segun
Executive In-Reach
