Dr. Percival Matthews
Dr. Matthews is the interim Associate Dean for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the School of Education. In this role, he provides leadership to faculty, staff, and students in developing and implementing strategic initiatives that promote the School of Education and UW–Madison’s mission for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Ida Balderrama-Trudell
Director of Student Engagement
181H Education Building
Ida has over 20 years of higher education experience, ranging from her own graduate education, to student services, academic administration, advising, teaching and health and wellness. She practices a socio-ecological approach to her work at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and is a fierce social justice practitioner and advocate. She holds a master’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies from UW–Madison and bachelor’s degrees from Texas Tech University, in both Psychology and Human Development and Family Studies and is currently an EdD student at UW–LaCrosse.
She enjoys making meaningful connections with students and being a small part of their life journey. She’s also a Girl Scout leader for her daughter’s Girl Scout Troops, loves cooking, time with her partner outdoors, reading and most importantly spending time with loved ones and dear colleagues. She is committed to life-long learning, self-care and advocacy and is a proud Chicana, born in California, raised in Texas, and living in Wisconsin.
Samantha Becker
EDI Director of Teaching and Learning Innovation
189 Education Building
Sam’s background in higher education includes academic work like teaching classes and providing research assistance as an academic librarian as well as programming support in social justice education. She brings a passion for education as a pathway toward liberation and a strong belief in the importance of information use in operationalizing one’s autonomy. Authenticity, reflection, and continual development are key to her professional identity as is sharing her knowledge in ways that are accessible and meaningful to her audience.
Sam came to UW Madison in a professional capacity in 2019, working first in the division of student affairs before moving into the School of Education. Her identities as a queer, woman of color and a transracial adoptee are critical to how she navigates her work, her role in the institution, and her relationships with students and faculty.
Sam holds a BA in English and Philosophy from Roosevelt University and a MA in Library and Information Science from UW Madison. She is currently working on her PhD in Education from Drake University.
Imani Barnes
EDI Graduate Administrative Fellow
141 Education Building
Imani is a graduate student in the School of Education studying the experiences of Black women attending PWIs. Specifically she is interested in the stories of Black Christian women in graduate programs and how Christianity served as a navigational tool for these women.
She supports the EdGRS program and assists OEDI staff with other programmatic efforts and serves as a liaison between graduate students and the OEDI.
Imani holds a BA in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and a MA in Higher Education also from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater UW. She is currently pursuing on her PhD in Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.