Graduate Student Council

Sheryl Patterson-Coulibaly

Executive Chair & President

Sheryl is an educator, mentor, and emerging scholar whose work lives at the intersection of research, advocacy, and empowerment. A recent doctoral graduate from 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 Marxist theory and her emerging framework Black Womanist 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.

Edith P. Middleton

Executive Secretary

Edith is a Ph.D. Candidate in English Education at Teachers College, Columbia University (TC). Her doctoral research reimagines mentorship beyond human-centered relationships by braiding posthumanism, Indigenous epistemologies, and feminist theory to explore the diverse more-than-human influences that shape educator identity and development. She is a Fulbright and Pulitzer Center fellow and a National Board Certified Teacher with 16 years of K-12 and higher education teaching experience in Connecticut, Hawai’i, and New York City. She serves as adjunct professor, student-teacher supervisor, and is deeply involved in graduate student leadership as AERA GSC Chair, AATC GSC Co-Founder/Executive Council Member, and NCTE ELATE GSC Chair. Edith is also a passionate advocate for gender equity as TC’s Feminist Circle co-founder and co-president. Outside of academia, when her nose is not in a book, Edith is a sports enthusiast and loves exploring NYC.

Lauren Cowden

Executive Out-Reach

Lauren is a first-generation immigrant daughter, person of faith, educator, and co-founder of FaithFull Food and the Graduate Student Council for AATC. Originally from Southern California (Go Dodgers & Lakers!), Lauren is currently pursuing her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Denver, where she is an aspiring educational leader and advocate for youth empowerment, equity, and inclusive learning environments.

Lauren currently serves as the Youth Director at University Park United Methodist Church and served as a Special Education Para-Professional at the Multi-Intensive Autism Center at a DPS Elementary School, supporting neurodiverse 2nd- and 3rd-grade students. Her experiences as a student-athlete, educator, caretaker, coach, and person of faith have shaped her commitment to building meaningful relationships and co-creating spaces where young people feel seen, supported, and empowered.

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. Through FaithFull Food and her work in education and community, Lauren walks alongside others to recognize their power, potential, and purpose.

Adetutu Segun

Executive In-Reach

Adetutu is a dynamic and results-driven professional with 16 years of progressive experience in the corporate sector, complemented by a certified Business Analyst credential. Her career has spanned roles in document control, policy review, IT security policy design, customer experience, service standards, governance, and business analysis, where she specialized in streamlining operations and implementing process improvements. Adetutu is also a co-founder and active member of the Graduate Student Council for the AATC.

She holds a Master’s in Management from Minot State University and is currently completing her second Master’s in Education, with plans to begin her PhD soon—furthering her dedication to leadership and research in education. Drawing on her strong analytical skills, and extensive experience in continuous improvement, process and operational excellence, Adetutu is passionate about advancing innovative practices in teaching and learning. Her transition into education reflects a commitment to fostering meaningful, evidence-based improvements in learning environments.