The Manhattanville University Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership is proud to announce Dr. Esther Yoon is the 2024 Recipient of the Ethel Kennedy Award for Human Rights Leadership
Ethel Kennedy, a Manhattanville graduate in 1949, was the wife of Robert F. Kennedy. She often was at the forefront of many pivotal events in the mid-20th century, including the McCarthy hearings, the Civil Rights movement, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the groundbreaking political elections of the 1960’s, and the battle for labor rights. Shortly after the June 5, 1968 assassination of her husband, Mrs. Kennedy founded the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, a nonprofit charity aimed toward RFK’s dream of a more just and peaceful world. A political force in her own right, Ethel has personally tackled human rights issues both at home and abroad. She has marched with Cesar Chavez, sat with Native Americans at Alcatraz, demonstrated outside the South African and Chinese embassies, joined the Global March for Children, among many other human rights issues, including and (at the age of 87) boycotting and protesting fast food businesses with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers. In recognition of her impressive life’s work, President Obama, in 2014, presented Ethel Kennedy with the Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor. In 2020, the Doctoral Program established the Ethel Kennedy Award for Human Rights Leadership, with support from Dr. Joanne Marien, to further honor Mrs. Kennedy by recognizing others’ shared passion for promoting human rights,
The 2024 recipient of the Ethel Kennedy Award for Human Rights Leadership is Dr. Esther Yoon for her human rights commitment and scholarship. Her dissertation investigated Asian cultural values’ influence on the decision to seek special education services. Esther Yoon currently works at the Digital Data Design Institute at Harvard, where she builds relationships with faculty and research staff in the field of generative artificial intelligence. She has worked in public and private sectors in both urban and suburban K-12 school districts as well as higher educational institutions. Esther earned her B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Northwestern University; an M.Ed. in Special Education from Vanderbilt University, and her doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Manhattanville University. Her research interests are in education, sociology, and ethnographic research, and she studies issues related to culture, identity, and equity in education. She loves sports, cooking, and reading. She lives in Boston, MA and enjoys serving in her community with her two children.
Dissertation Title:
DONT MAKE WAVES: UNDERSTANDING ASIAN CULTURAL VALUES’ INFLUENCE ON THE DECISION TO SEEK SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES
Abstract
This study examines how cultural values may influence East Asian parents seeking educational services for their child. Using the lens of acculturation theory to analyze qualitative and quantitative data, findings reveal a complicated relationship between racial identity and the special education space. The quantitative data substantiates a statistical disproportionality in special education classification among East Asian students while qualitative data illumines two key factors: the perceived assumption of “model” minority status, on the part of educators/schools; and a cultural orientation that privileges and values academic achievement to such an extent that the lack of achievement results in great shame, stigma, and feelings of hopelessness. The implications of these findings are widespread and could inform policy and practice around special education services as well as the extent to which schools can serve as inclusive spaces for all families, regardless of racial/ethnic background and ability.
Congratulations, Esther!
The Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership is designed for practicing and prospective leaders and experienced educators in P-12 and higher education, serving schools, districts, private and independent schools, charter schools, colleges, universities, community organizations, and entrepreneurial endeavors. The Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership consists of 3 pathways and adopts a cohort model enabling students to be part of a dynamic and cohesive community of learners during the EdD program.
Currently enrolled students and doctoral alumni are highly accomplished scholar-practitioners who appreciate and have benefited from the value of having a terminal degree in the field of education.
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About Manhattanville University:
Manhattanville University is a private liberal arts institution dedicated to academic excellence, purposeful education, and social responsibility. For three years in a row, “U.S. News and World Report” has ranked Manhattanville the number one private, non-profit institution in New York among Top Performers of Social Mobility in Regional Universities North. Located 30 miles from New York City on a 100-acre suburban campus in the heart of Westchester County, Manhattanville enables easy access to entertainment offerings, educational resources, and business opportunities for its primarily residential and diverse student body. The university serves more than 1,300 undergraduate students and nearly 1,000 graduate students from more than 44 countries and 33 states. Founded in 1841, the university offers more than 75 undergraduate and graduate areas of study in the arts and sciences, education, nursing and health sciences, business, and creative writing, as well as continuing and executive education programs. Graduate students can choose from more than 70 graduate and certificate programs. Extracurricular offerings include more than 45 clubs and activities and 24 NCAA Division III teams.
