University News

WIU School of Education Faculty, Doctoral Student and Alumna Present Research at MWERA 2026

November 10, 2026

Share Printer friendly version

MACOMB, IL - - Western Illinois University was well represented at the 2026 Mid-Western Educational Research Association (MWERA) Annual Conference, held October 29 in Milwaukee, WI, with faculty, a doctoral student and an alumna contributing to important conversations in educational research and leadership.

Rashmi Sharma, Associate Professor in the WIU School of Education, and Zahnela Claxton, a doctoral student in the Organizational Justice, Equity, and Inclusion (OJEI) Ed.D. program, presented their research titled "Small Island, Big Challenge: What Secondary School Leaders in Nevis Teach Us About Leading for Learner Variability." Their presentation explored educational leadership and the challenges of supporting learners with diverse needs in Nevis.

OJEI alumna Terri Bynoe, who graduated in Spring 2026, also presented her research, titled "Belonging, Identity, and Resilience: Immigrant Students of Color Navigating Predominantly White Suburban High Schools." Her presentation examined issues of student identity, belonging and resilience within predominantly White suburban educational settings.

For Claxton, presenting her dissertation research at the conference was an important academic milestone.

"Presenting my dissertation research at MWERA was a meaningful milestone. Sharing what school leaders on Nevis told me about leading for learner variability and hearing how the findings resonated with researchers and practitioners from other contexts confirmed that small-island voices belong in these conversations." Claxton said.

Bynoe described her participation as an exciting opportunity to share her research and engage with other scholars following her doctoral graduation.

"Presenting at MWERA, my first conference since earning my doctorate, was exciting and rewarding. I got to share my research on immigrant students of Color, engage with fellow researchers, and have meaningful conversations on belonging and equity in education. I left inspired and motivated!" Bynoe said.

Sharma expressed pride in the accomplishments of both the current doctoral student and the program alumna, emphasizing the importance of their contributions to educational research.

"I am incredibly proud of our OJEI doctoral student, Zahnela Claxton, and alumna, Terri Bynoe, for sharing their research and contributing to important conversations in educational leadership and practice. Their work reflects the scholarly commitment, critical inquiry, and real-world impact that we strive to foster through the OJEI program." Sharma said.

Sharma also announced that both Claxton and Bynoe have had papers accepted for presentation at the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting, scheduled to take place in Canada in April 2027.

In addition to the research presentations, WIU faculty members contributed to the association's leadership. Sharon Stevens served as MWERA Executive Director, a position she has held since 2023, while Prof. Sharma served as an Association Council member.

Sharma also recognized Stevens' contributions, noting that her leadership and dedication to MWERA, alongside her professional engagement in the Midwestern region, strengthening WIU's presence in the educational research community.

"These accomplishments represent the very best of our School of Education, and I am delighted to celebrate them." Sharma said.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing