Information on the 2023 Gifted Education Policy Symposium and Conference (GEPSC)

2023 Marcia Gentry Influence Scholars

Dr. Marcia Gentry (1962-2022) was a Professor of Education Studies and Director of the Gifted Education Resource Institute at Purdue University. She received multiple grants worth several million dollars in support of her work with programming practices and underrepresented populations in gifted education. Dr. Gentry’s work surrounding equity and excellence has been instrumental in expanding opportunities among historically underserved populations, including low-socioeconomic, Black, Latino, and Indigenous students. In her capacity as the Director of Gifted Education Research and Resource Institute (GER2I), Dr. Gentry helped spearhead the Native American Research Initiative, an effort to expand access to gifted and talented programming grounded in the needs of Native American, Alaska Native, and Indigenous gifted, creative, and talented students. In 2014, Dr. Gentry received the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) Distinguished Scholar Award in recognition of her outstanding work and dedication. In honor of her impact on the field, community outreach, publications, and research, Dr. Gentry was named the 2018 Palmarium Award Recipient. Most recently, Dr. Gentry received the 2022 NAGC President’s Award. Her legacy of research, leadership, and tireless advocacy on behalf of underrepresented gifted, creative, and talented student populations has not only advanced the field, but inspired many others to carry on her work.

Marcia Gentry Influence Scholars: Call for Applications

Doctoral students were invited to submit a project application to be named a Marcia Gentry Influence Scholar. Projects should lend toward advancing equity and excellence and have an explicit connection to Dr. Gentry’s work, which may include Indigenous learners, cluster grouping, differentiation, identification, access to gifted services, university-based programs, talent development, etc. Projects may take the form of a research study and/or systematic review of literature. Students are encouraged to use this Application Rubric to guide completion of the application.

Three doctoral students will be selected as Marcia Gentry Influence Scholars. Individual submissions are preferred. Collaborations will be considered (with one point person). Selected students will each receive a stipend of $1,000, sponsored by the Gifted Education Research Resource Institute (GER²I), to implement their submitted projects, evaluate the effectiveness of their efforts, as well as prepare and present the project and associated results during the 2024 Gifted Education Conference. Additionally, selected scholars will be matched with academic mentors familiar with Dr. Gentry’s work during project implementation. 

Selected Influence Scholars will be notified by mid-February and officially announced during the 2023 Gifted Education Conference “Developing Diverse Talents” held virtually March 30th and 31st, 2023. Recipients will be notified prior to the conference and receive conference registration to attend the full conference. 

2023 Selected Marcia Gentry Influence Scholars: