PENNSYLVANIA — The Pennsylvania State Board of Education this past week welcomed Brenna Chernich from Millersville University and Aarushi Dedhiya from Cumberland Valley School District as new student members. Their inclusion on the Board ensures student representation in educational policy-making. Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin lauds their achievements and engagement, while Chair of the State Board of Education Karen Farmer White emphasized the program’s impact on education issues.
“The inclusion of youth voices on the State Board of Education is critical to ensure that students are being represented at the state level when education policies are being considered and implemented,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin. “We applaud these students on their achievements, engagement, and participation, and we look forward to working closely with them as they serve alongside the Board over the next two years.”
The State Board changed its bylaws in May 2008 to incorporate student representation in a non-voting capacity. The student representatives – two senior student members and two junior student members – will serve on the Council of Basic Education and the Council of Higher Education. On the board, they will join senior members Claire Chi and Natalie Imhoof.
Brenna Chernich is a rising junior at Millersville University, with a major in Education and a minor in Integrative STEM Education Methods. Chernich is a substitute teacher at Cornwall-Lebanon School District; an Honors College peer mentor at Millersville University’s Honors College; and an educational support coach at the university’s Integrated Studies program, where she provides direct support to students with disabilities in the areas of academics, independent living, wellness, and social life.
Aarushi Dedhiya is a rising junior at Cumberland Valley High School, and participates in Central PA Tutors as president; the school newspaper as president; Speech and Debate; KEY Club; Girls Who Code; and Break the Silence. Dedhiya contributes every month as a youth columnist for Penn-Live with a focus on sharing youth perspectives regarding current affairs through the incorporation of research and personal experiences; served as a Youth Ambassador to Ecuador; is a Board member for Students Against Destructive Decisions National Student Leadership Council, Cumberland County Drug and Alcohol Youth Advisory Board, and Catch My Breath Youth Advisory Board.
“Adding student members to the Board broadened the perspectives we consider in developing education policy,” said Chair of the State Board of Education Karen Farmer White. “Our student leadership program provides a unique opportunity for students to have a voice in the education issues that impact them directly.”
Student representation on the State Board of Education is made possible through a grant provided by Highmark, supporting opportunities for students in Pennsylvania to have a direct voice in helping to shape education policy.
Farmer White said student members must attend and participate in board meetings, advise and consult with the board, and conduct outreach to confer with other students across the Commonwealth. The State Board of Education’s voting members – and four student representatives – convene every other month throughout the year to discuss and deliberate on education policies and procedures.
For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Education, visit PDE’s website.
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