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Distinguished Alumni
CONGRATULATING OUR NEWEST DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI
The College of Education seeks to recognize both Young Alumni (1-10 years post-graduation) and Distinguished Alumni (over 10 years post-graduation) who have been recognized regionally or nationally as outstanding leaders in education and the community. Below are this year’s well deserving awardees along with edited excerpts from their nomination application.
Dr. Buchanan-Rivera serves as the Chief Equity Officer for Hamilton Southeastern Schools (HSE) and is committed to fighting for the rights of marginalized students and teaching educators how to help these students be successful.
Erica is a champion of students in the LGBTQIA+ community and worked tirelessly to ensure they were listed as a protected class within HSE School’s anti-discrimination policy. She is committed to the work of undoing racism and creating equitable environments for all students, and challenges teachers to take a critical look at their practices to determine if they are teaching ALL students and not just a few.
Dr. Buchanan-Rivera supports the vision of Butler University College of Education as an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusivity by challenging oppressive systems and racist thinking. She does so with a servant’s heart and child centered approach.
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI—Edward Manuszak ’95
Edward Manuszak is the Superintendent of Dundee Community Schools in Dundee, Michigan. His groundbreaking work with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the National Association of School Superintendents is soon to be published by both organizations. The instrument he created on the analysis and return on investment of high -quality early childhood programs in public schools is critical to helping school leaders find pathways to offering high quality preschool for all children.
Edward is a role model in advocating for schools for all children, including our youngest learners, and his groundbreaking work is evidence that he is an agent of change.
DISTINGUISHED YOUNG ALUMNI—Sara Midura ’16 MS ’20
Sara Midura currently works as an Educational Liaison at Riley Hospital for Children. She is a teacher and an educational advocate for patients in the Simon Skjodt Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Unit. Sara was recently recognized as one of Indiana’s top twenty-five teachers by the Indiana Department of Education and has worked with national organizations to create a framework for transitioning patients back to school from behavior health hospitalizations. Her mission is to work with school communities around the state in order to provide knowledge and resources that deliver great results for students with behavioral health needs and to help lead Indiana into the national conversation.
Sara has a clear vision for her life and is eager to learn anything and everything that will help her reach her goal to be an exceptional teacher. Sara’s résumé shows her dedication to the field of education, and it is evident that her drive comes from a deep sense of responsibility to her patients.
