Awards

School of Education Distinguished Alumni Award - 2016

About A.Y. Ramirez

A.Y. “Fred” Ramirez received his Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a minor in policy studies from the Indiana University School of Education in 1999. His dissertation research focused on teacher’s attitudes toward parents and parental involvement in high school. Ramirez is a professor of education with Concordia University, Irvine, California, where he has worked as a professor of qualitative research for the doctoral studies program, action research in the Master’s program, and is currently developing new courses that would promote the study of marine science. Before his appointment at Concordia, Ramirez was a tenured professor at California State University, Fullerton, and Biola University, where he served as a teacher educator and graduate chair.

Ramirez has been involved with education as an elementary substitute teacher, a high school teacher, and a high school baseball and wrestling coach. He has been an active member in his communities, serving as a volunteer within juvenile and the adult prison systems, a youth group organizer, and as a first offender youth mentor. Currently he is the founder and Executive Director of EdActs Global, a recognized non-profit whose mission is to provide leadership opportunities and skills for youth by having them enter into partnerships with others in service projects in their communities and elsewhere. Ramirez is a sought-after international speaker and consultant, having worked with governments and agencies from around the world. He is currently working on creating opportunities for students from the United States and across the globe to collaborate in meaningful ways. In his spare time, Ramirez enjoys teaching scuba diving, traveling, reading, and spending time with his family and friends.