Scholar, author, and blogger Dr. Adrienne Keene to give DREAM 2022 closing plenary address

Achieving the Dream is pleased to announce that author, scholar, and blogger Dr. Adrienne Keene will give the closing plenary address at DREAM 2022, a virtual convening in February to elevate the best thinking in the field of higher education reform.

Dr. Adrienne Keene is a scholar, writer, blogger, podcast host, and activist. She is an assistant professor of American studies and ethnic studies at Brown University, where her research areas include college access, transition, and persistence for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Students.

Passionate about reframing how the world sees contemporary Native cultures, Dr. Keene is the creator of the blog Native Appropriations and the co-host of All My Relations, a popular podcast that explores what it means to be a Native person in contemporary America. She is also the author of Notable Native People: 50 Indigenous Leaders, Dreamers, and Changemakers from Past and Present, an illustrated collection profiling the lives, stories, and contributions of Indigenous artists, activists, scientists, athletes, and other changemakers.

As a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, Dr. Keene has a deep personal commitment to exploring research methodologies that empower Native communities and privilege Native voices and perspectives, with the ultimate goal of increasing educational outcomes for Native students.

Dr. Keene will join distinguished faculty, leaders, and practitioners from across the higher education field on February 14–17, 2022, for ATD’s 18th annual signature conference. The advancement of racial equity and justice will be a central focus of DREAM 2022 as ATD continues working with its network of over 300 colleges to create equitable hubs of growth and opportunity for the communities they serve.

DREAM 2022 is organized around five key themes that represent opportunities to effect meaningful change in our communities:

• Building stronger pathways to and through postsecondary education
• Adopting a holistic, equity-focused approach to community vitality
• Eliminating systemic barriers to student success
• Fostering a sense of belonging through teaching and learning excellence
• Leveraging data and analytics for institutional and community well-being