Dr. Acacia Warren received her doctorate in Educational Leadership from the USC Rossier School of Education. The USC Rossier Newsletter is sent to over 10,000 alumni per semester. RRISE UP is featured on page 10 of the newsletter. Click here to read the entire newsletter.

Acacia Warren EdD ‘14 recently founded RRISE UP with Kelley Le, director of UC Irvine’s Science Project. RRISE UP (Radical Reimagination of Inclusion, Science, and Education) is a nonprofit designed by BIPOC educators for educators, students, and educational leaders. The nonprofit builds capacity for stakeholders to use their agency, lived experience, and cultural wealth to RRISE UP for environmental, social, and economic justice. RRISE UP provides increased access, awareness, and opportunities to marginalized K-12 students through a STEM mentoring program, first generation scholarships, summer coding camps, and scholarships for student community projects. Scholarships for teacher community projects are supported as well. RRISE UP also offers K-12 professional development services, specifically on project- based learning, climate change, equity, and inclusion. Acacia and Kelley are fearless in the pursuit of what sets their souls on fire. Their tenacity, ambition, courage, and passion are a +1 for BIPOC communities and youth.

Class of 2014 – The hottest graduation on record at 109 degrees!