Brianna Bobo ’23 (ED), a master’s student studying curriculum and instruction at the UConn Neag School of Education, has been recognized as an Alma Exley Scholar for 2024.

Established in memory of Alma Exley, a dedicated educator at the Connecticut State Department of Education, the scholarship promotes greater diversity in the teaching profession. It honors and supports outstanding students preparing for careers as public school teachers by annually awarding one scholarship of at least $5,000 to a student of color in an accredited teacher preparation program in Connecticut.

According to the Alma Exley Scholarship website, “only about 11 percent of the educators in Connecticut’s public schools are persons of color. However, students of color comprise over half of students statewide and more than 85 percent in major cities.” As such, the scholarship aims to mirror the diversity of the student population that is currently not reflected in many schools across Connecticut through empowering future teachers of color, like Bobo.

“A selection committee of respected educators chose the recipients from among applicants from educator-preparation programs in Connecticut,” writes Woody Exley, spouse of the late Alma Exley, on the scholarship website. “The selection committee was impressed with the potential of all the applicants. All were deserving and worthy of the scholarship. We need to keep growing the endowment to award more scholarships in the future.”

A graduate of Conard High School in West Hartford, Connecticut, Bobo also received her undergraduate degree in secondary education with a concentration in social studies and history at UConn’s Neag School.

I am eternally grateful to the Neag School of Education. Through its extensive course load and exposure to various educational experiences, it has challenged me to become a better and more well-rounded educator. — Brianna Bobo

Bobo decided to go through the Neag School to pursue her education because of the “outstanding program that Neag offered. But, honestly, because I knew that God wanted me to go. You know that feeling you get when you know your choice is the right one? That is the feeling I had when I decided to go to Neag.”

Upon graduating with her master’s degree in May, Bobo plans to pursue her dream of becoming an educator or, in her words, to “fulfill my purpose in life — to serve my community through education.”

As an educator, Bobo promises to: “one, serve my students wholeheartedly; two, create a learning environment filled with acts of kindness, compassion, and patience; and, three, empower my students to contribute to creating an equitable society.”

Bobo credits her high school African American history teacher, Steve Bassi, for inspiring her to pursue a career in education and use history to build impactful relationships with her students.

“Mr. Bassi is humble and joyful and fills the classroom with his energetic spirit, which, combined with his love for learning, created a sense of community in the classroom,” Bobo says. “Being in his class made me feel safe and inspired me to challenge myself.”

Bobo says the impact of receiving this scholarship and the mission behind it transcends its financial benefits.

“As a Black educator, it is disheartening to see that classrooms look almost identical to my mother’s, who graduated from high school almost 40 years ago,” Bobo says. “This scholarship is not only changing the lives of those who receive it but generations of students who will benefit from having a teacher like me. With this scholarship, I can honor the late Alma Exley and continue her legacy of supporting students and breaking down barriers that would limit them from attaining their goals.”

Bobo also credits this scholarship for allowing her to follow her dreams of becoming a teacher, without worrying about taking out a loan to cover tuition costs. Bobo also credits the Neag School for equipping her with the skills and knowledge necessary to flourish as the educator she has long dreamed of becoming.

“I am eternally grateful to the Neag School of Education,” Bobo says. “Through its extensive course load and exposure to various educational experiences, it has challenged me to become a better and more well-rounded educator.”