Tarek C. Grantham, PhD is Professor of educational psychology at the University of Georgia. He serves as Coordinator for the Gifted and Creative Education Graduate Program, and he Co-Directs the University-School Partnerships for Achievement, Rigor, and Creativity initiative.
Dr. Grantham’s research addresses equity for under-represented groups in advanced programs; gifted Black males; motivation; and creativity policy.
He is a member of the Board of Directors for the National Association for Gifted Children and a recipient of the Dr. Alexinia Baldwin “Gifted & Special Populations” Award and the Georgia Association for Gifted Children Mary M. Frasier Excellence and Equity Award.
Annessia J. Bullard is a Ph.D. student and Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant in the Department of Educational Psychology, Gifted and Creative Education Program the University of Georgia. Her graduate training centers on equity for gifted and advanced learners, and interdisciplinary qualitative research methods.
Ms. Bullard’s research focuses on advocacy for gifted African American males, social and emotional development, and STEM-identity within students of color.
Ms. Bullard is a former Middle School Math and Science and Gifted Education teacher, and a Teach for America alumni. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Spelman College and Master of Science from Central Michigan University.
Thelron Pleas, a native of Macon, Georgia, is a Gates Millennium Scholar and Ph.D. student in the Department of Educational Psychology: Gifted and Creative Education at the University of Georgia.
Mr. Pleas worked in education policy and reform for ten years in the public, private, and non-profit sectors.
Mr. Pleas' research interests focus on the role of federal education policy and reform in gifted education, college readiness and talent development for underrepresented populations, and equity-focused leadership to close the excellence and access gap among gifted Black students in secondary Title I schools.