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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, June 2, 2023
Erikson Institute is pleased to announce that Carol Lee, Professor Emeritus and the former Edwina S. Tarry Professor of Education in the School of Education and Social Policy and in African American Studies at Northwestern University, and Nicole Robinson, M.B.A, Chief Executive Officer for YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, have joined the Board of Trustees, effective June 1, 2023.
“Erikson Institute is honored to have two distinguished community leaders join our Board of Trustees,” said Dr. Mariana Souto-Manning, president of Erikson Institute. “Dr. Lee and Ms. Robinson offer a wealth of expertise and insights to the board of the Erikson Institute. Dr. Lee is a renowned scholar, researcher and educator with a focus on race, culture, and education. She brings a deep understanding of language and literacy, as well as a commitment to social justice and equity in education. She is former President of the American Educational Research Association (AERA) and current President of the National Academy of Education (NAE).”
“Nicole Robinson brings her extensive experience in leading nonprofit organizations and driving social change. Her expertise in community engagement, organizational leadership, and program development will be instrumental in guiding the Erikson Institute’s efforts to support early childhood development.”
Together, Dr. Lee and Ms. Robinson bring a unique perspective to the Erikson Institute board, one that is grounded in a deep understanding of children’s needs, as well as a commitment to equity and social justice. Their contributions will help to ensure that Erikson remains at the forefront of research, education and practice in early childhood, and that we achieve equity and justice for young children and families across diverse communities.
Carol D Lee, Ph.D.
Dr. Carol D. Lee is Professor Emeritus and the former Edwina S. Tarry Professor of Education in the School of Education and Social Policy and in African American Studies at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. She is a past president of the American Educational Research Association (AERA), AERA’s past representative to the World Educational Research Association, past vice-president of Division G of AERA, past president of the National Conference on Research in Language and Literacy, and past co-chair of the Research Assembly of the National Council of Teachers of English. She is a member of the National Academy of Education, a fellow of the American Educational Research Association and the National Conference on Research in Language and Literacy, a former fellow at the Center for Advanced Studies in the Behavioral Sciences and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Dr. Lee has received numerous awards including Distinguished Service Award from the National Council of Teachers of English, Scholars of Color Distinguished Scholar Award from the American Educational Research Association, the Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Illinois-Urbana, The President’s Pacesetters Award from the American Association of Blacks in Higher Education, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education and an honorary doctorate from the University of Pretoria, South Africa. She is the author of numerous journal articles, handbook chapters and three books. Dr. Lee’s research addresses cultural supports for learning that include a broad ecological focus, with attention to language and literacy and African American youth. Her career spans a 50-year history, including work as an English Language Arts teacher at the high school and community college levels, a primary grade teacher, and a university professor. She is a founder of four African centered schools that span a 47-year history, including two charter schools under the umbrella of the Betty Shabazz International Charter Schools where she serves as chair of the Board of Directors.
Nicole Robinson, M.B.A.
Born and raised on Chicago’s South Side, Nicole R. Robinson has spent her career building bridges between communities, individuals, government and business leaders. Today Nicole serves as the Chief Executive Officer for YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, a human centered organization dedicated to empowering women and eliminating racism. As a fierce advocate for women, girls and justice, Nicole is inspired by the resilience of the families who turn to YWCA for family supports, economic opportunities and collective healing.
Prior to joining YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, Nicole was the Chief Partnership and Program Officer at the Greater Chicago Food Depository where she designed strategies to expand food access while tackling the root causes of poverty, unemployment, and racial inequity. Her food justice advocacy resulted in a $10MM investment in the emergency food system and she inspired the reimagination of Chicago’s entire food system as one the of the co-creators of Chicago’s first ever Food Equity Council. Before joining the social sector, Nicole began her career in corporate finance supporting various business units and would go on to lead the corporate foundation for Kraft Foods and Mondelez International.
Nicole resides in Bronzeville on Chicago’s South Side and is the founding leader of Chicago’s first ever South Side Giving Circle focused on reducing inequities faced by Black women and girls.
Erikson Institute educates, inspires, and promotes leadership in the service of children and families. We are a premier graduate school dedicated to child development, and offering degrees in Child Development, Child Life, Early Childhood Education, Educational Leadership, and Social Work. We provide direct services to our community’s children and families. We are leaders in influencing early childhood policy. We work tirelessly every day so that all children can achieve optimal educational, social, emotional, and physical well-being. At Erikson Institute, we know that investing in the early years of children will last a lifetime. Learn more at www.erikson.edu
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