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Message from Dr. Brita A. Theadford, Executive Director of iSTREAM
iSTREAM DREAM TEAM:
Dr. Brita A. Theadford
Executive Director, Board Member
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Dr. Ken Ruff
Board Member
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Ms. Katrina Wright
Secretary, Board Member
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Mrs. Afua Adkejum
Trustee, Board Member
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Dr. Dina Rosen
Chairperson, Board Member
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Hugh W. Barnes Jr
Board Member
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The Advisory Board
Dr. Norma Bowe
Advisory Board Member
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Dr. Norma Bowe has undergraduate degrees in Nursing and Community Health, a Masters in Health Administration and a Ph.D. in Community Health Policy. She began her career bringing medical care to rural areas in Fluvanna County, Virginia. She has also worked in the ICU, ER, and Hospice assisting with those patients transitioning from life to death and families experiencing loss and bereavement. Later she worked as psychiatric nurse advocate for the mentally ill.
Dr. Bowe is tenured faculty in the College of Education at Kean University in Union N.J. She developed the course curriculum for Death in Perspective which has a three year waiting list and is the subject of the book The Death Class: A True Story About Life, by Erika Hayasaki a former LA Times journalist. In addition to teaching courses in death education, community mental health and public health, she is the author of Perspectives in Community Mental Health published by Kendall Hunt. She has authored and co-authored articles as well as text book chapters in health education. Her dissertation The Relationship between Sense of Coherence, Burden and Depression in Male Caregivers for Women with Breast Cancer won an award. Dr. Bowe has presented at conferences both nationally and internationally. She was a key- note speaker at the Rutgers End of Life Conference. Dr. Bowe presented at Chicago Ideas Week in a TED Talk. She is featured in the Huffington Post article “ The 12 Most Unique College Courses in America”. She was a featured speaker at the International Women’s Health Conference in Delhi, India. She has volunteered as a teacher in the NJ prison system, bringing college courses to incarcerated men and women.
Twelve years ago she started a community service and activist group called “Be the Change” fashioned after Gandhi’s famous quote “Be the change you wish to see in the world”. She has organized community services projects across the country; addressing issues of social justice, food justice and human rights. Be the Change NJ is now a 501c3 non profit.
Dr. Ruff currently serves as an Assistant Professor within the College of Science and Technology at Temple University, PA.
In his current role, Dr. Ruff instructs Math and Science courses to matriculating STEM students. He also serves as Faculty Advisor of the TUteach Program. In this role, he is prescribed to teach, mentor, and advise students who aspire to become secondary Math and Science Teachers in Public Education.
Since 1993 Education reflects Dr. Ruff’s “Life’s Work.” His work at Temple University is preceded by principal, assistant principal, and teaching assignments in public education. He has also held leadership assignments at two community colleges in Pennsylvania, where he directed programs for at-risk and underserved students. He continues to oversee Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives (DEI) at Temple University, serving as Director of the Alliance for Minority Participation Program.
Dr. Ruff has earned higher education degrees from suburban, urban and Catholic-Jesuit institutions. This has prepared him to access and successfully navigate environments that promote DEI and student outreach programming throughout the K-16 Education diaspora.
Dr. Theadford’s professional experience began at Lockheed Martin, in the Naval Systems Division. She left Lockheed to pursue a career in education, which allowed her to bridge a gap from theory to practice for students from primary to higher education in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Dr. Theadford recently celebrated 25 years in Pre-K-12th education in the State of New Jersey. The bulk of her work has been in educational administration, with a specialty in the area in STEM education. She is an adjunct professor that teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in teaching and learning and curriculum and instruction.
She is a founder, leader, and initiator who has worked with various nonprofits. She has served as a project manager and fundraiser, which among other responsibilities, entailed creating free summer programs for children within her community.
Professor Hugh W. Barnes, Jr, Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Hugh Westley Barnes, Jr,
has always had the motivation and determination to succeed. As the second oldest of four, Hugh has always kept family first. Raised with the mindset of the 40/60 rule, 40 percent book smarts, 60 percent street smarts, education has always been his key focus life, after
home life. Hugh is the first and only member of his family to receive a college degree.
Hugh Westley Barnes, Jr. earned a bachelor’s degree in education and a Bachelor of Music degree
from Morgan State University, and a master’s from McDaniel College. He is presently pursuing his
Doctor of Music Arts (DMA) in instrumental conducting.
Professor Barnes has received numerous awards and accolades in his career, however he considers
his students success and accomplishments as his greatest reward as an educator. Many of his students have gone
on to successful careers as musicians, directors, teachers, performers, educators, recording artists,
and managers. He believes that there is no greater gift than to see the fruits of one’s labor blossom
and grow into something great and beautiful.
Bio – Dina Rosen
Dina Rosen, Ph.D., School of Curriculum and Teaching, Kean University
Dr. Rosen earned a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Technology from New York University and a Master’s degree in Special Education from Wagner College. She has ten plus years teaching experience and has served as director of technology in a PreK-8 school where she developed curriculum and materials. Dr. Rosen’s research interests include learning in technology-rich, digital age environments and STEM/STEAM education.
Afua Adkejum
Afua Adjekum MBA, is currently Assistant Controller at Hermann Transportation with over 16 years of accounting experience in different industries. She has expertise in financial reporting, budgeting, and cash flow management. Afua has a passion to serve her community and enrich the new generation with knowledge and expertise she has learned along her career.
Bio – Ms. Katrina Wright
Katrina Wright holds a diverse educational background, with degrees from Bossier Parish Community College and Louisiana State University. She has a master’s degree in Business Administration, specializing in healthcare and human resource management. Katrina is a certified Medicolegal Death Investigator and a member of the International Association of Forensic Nurses. She actively works with the Department of Health and Hospitals, focusing on reducing infant and child deaths. Additionally, she collaborates with Veteran Affairs to ensure proper interment for displaced veterans. Katrina has a significant work history in education and currently serves as a Special Education Teacher for Caddo Parish Schools.
