2024 Alumni Award recipients (l-to-r): Ty A. Robinson, Yadira Sánchez, Hannah Bates (accepting on behalf of Claire White), Rose Cardarelli, and Roger F. Harris

Alumni

BU Wheelock Honors 2024 Alumni Award Recipients

BU Wheelock recently honored five alumni for their outstanding contributions at the 2024 Alumni Award ceremony, held during Boston University’s Alumni Weekend. Awards were presented to Ty A. Robinson, Yadira Sánchez, Claire White, Rose Cardarelli, and Roger F. Harris.

Watch the Alumni Awards ceremony and read more about this year’s recipients below. And be sure to check out the gallery of images from all of BU Wheelock’s Alumni Weekend events.

Young Alumni Award

Ty A. Robinson (Wheelock’22)

Ty A. Robinson is a graduate of the EdM in Counseling program at BU Wheelock, where he founded and led the Counselors of Color in Training Organization (COCITO). He is currently a doctoral student in counseling psychology at the University of Maryland College Park.

Just as Langston Hughes has declared his right to belong at the table, I knew that I needed to carve out a space that celebrated folks that look like me and others who could be seen, supported, as well as healing. And that’s why I started the Counselors of Color in Training Organization, known as COCITO, a space that wasn’t just about survival, but about healing and thriving.

Ty A. Robinson

Outstanding Contribution to Alumni & Alma Mater Award

Claire White (Wheelock’79’84)

Claire White is the director of BU Wheelock’s Child Life & Family-Centered Care program. A Certified Child Life Specialist, White teaches and supervises students completing child life internships in healthcare and community programs.

“For me, this is what makes Wheelock so special: The mentorship, connections, and relationships, that faculty and staff build with their students; the kindness and care that they demonstrate; and the encouragement they offer to students to try something that gets them out of their comfort zone.”

Claire White (remarks delivered by Hannah Bates)

Distinguished Achievement Award

Rose Cardarelli (Wheelock’85)

Rose Cardarelli is an internationally acclaimed author, educator, climate advisor, and humanitarian. A former military commander and professor of human security, she currently serves as CEO of the Education for All Coalition.

“Boston University continues to lead in education innovation, and I’m so proud to be an alumna. To those of you who are students, I celebrate you for the profession you have chosen. And to the teachers and educators here, I salute you for your service to nation and to community. We all know that education can be transformative. Everyone needs access to a quality education so they can think critically, adapt to a changing world, and gain needed skills.”

Rose Cardarelli

Distinguished Achievement Award

Roger F. Harris (Wheelock’74)

Roger F. Harris has devoted over 45 years working in K–12 schools and universities, including as assistant professor and faculty director of the BU Wheelock Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Department. His research focuses on urban educator training.

“One of my children recently asked me, he said, Dad, why are you still working?. . . And as the late, great poet Robert Frost wrote, I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep. As long as I can breathe, I’m going to do as much as I can for as many as I can. For as long as I can.”

Roger F. Harris

Lucy Wheelock Award

Yadira Sánchez (Wheelock’91)

Yadira Sánchez is dedicated to promoting reading, education, school mental health, and student success. She has held a variety of leadership roles, including serving as executive director of a nonprofit organization in Puerto Rico dedicated to evidence-based reading instruction and interventions for children with reading difficulties.

“This award symbolizes not just my work, but the commitment of educators, psychologists and colleagues, and advocates who share the vision of transforming education for the better. I want to extend a special thank you to the educators and mentors who guided and inspired me throughout all my career.”

Yadira Sánchez