The University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Jorden Melton is among four educators in the country who have been named an Emerging Leader Fellow by Phi Delta Kappa International.
Melton is an academic success coach at UL Lafayette and assistant director of the University’s Louisiana Educate Program. The program is in place to help academically accomplished, lower-income students remain in college.
Established in 1906, PDK International supports P-20 educators, researchers and policy makers, according to a press release. PDK Emerging Leader Fellows are leaders under the age of 40 who are making a difference in the field of education.
"As a young leader, I serve as a catalyst for long-lasting, revolutionary change in the field of education rather than just acting as a symbolic figure," Melton stated. "I believe that individuals build trust and feel unity when leaders dive into work with the students or staff."
PDK’s 2024 Emerging Leader Fellows will attend a professional learning and networking event from June 28 to July 1, in Washington, D.C.
"The Emerging Leaders Fellows program is helping PDK to raise the narrative and examine the complex contexts around public education issues and how PDK can be poised to impact those issues," Albert Chen, PDK International's chief operating officer, stated in the release.
Learn more about PDK's 2024 Emerging Leaders.