News
Anchin Center Announces Faculty Scholars in Residence for 2026-2027
August 17, 2026
The David C. Anchin Center for the Advancement of Teaching has selected Dr. Clarence V. Walker Jr. and Dr. Yiting Chu as its Faculty Scholars in Residence for the 2026–27 academic year. Walker will serve as the Fall 2026 Scholar in Residence, followed by Chu in Spring 2027.
The Anchin Center Scholar in Residence Program is a competitive opportunity designed to support USF College of Education faculty research, innovation and externally funded scholarship. The program advances the Center’s commitment to community-engaged research and practice-informed work developed in collaboration with school districts, educators and other community partners.
Each scholar receives a semester-long course release, providing protected time to advance research with strong potential for external funding, scholarly dissemination and applied impact in K–12 and related educational contexts. During their appointments, Walker and Chu will develop a project plan or external grant proposal in partnership with the Anchin Center, submit a manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal and present their research through the Anchin Center Faculty Speaker Series.
“Faculty members often have strong ideas for projects that connect research to the needs of schools and communities, but they also need dedicated time and collaborative support to move that work forward,” said Dr. Rachel Hatten, Director and Endowed Chair of Education Innovation for the Anchin Center. “The Scholar in Residence Program is a direct investment in that work. Drs. Walker and Chu bring distinct areas of expertise that will strengthen the Center’s research partnerships and contribute to meaningful educational innovation.”
Fall 2026 Scholar in Residence: Dr. Clarence V. Walker, Jr.
Walker is an assistant professor in the USF College of Education’s Department of Teaching and Learning. His scholarship is situated at the intersections of social studies education, visual art and ethnic studies, and teacher preparation.
His work explores how educators can use contemporary visual art to engage students with history, culture, identity and the experiences of communities whose perspectives have often been marginalized in traditional curricula. He also examines approaches to preparing teachers to provide rigorous, responsive social studies instruction.
As the Fall 2026 Scholar in Residence, Walker will receive support from the Anchin Center to advance this scholarship, pursue external funding and develop work with implications for educators and educational communities.
Spring 2027 Scholar in Residence: Dr. Yiting Chu
Chu is an assistant professor in the Doctor of Education in Education Program Development at the USF College of Education. His research is broadly situated at the intersections of multicultural education, teacher education and education policy.
Chu’s scholarship has examined Asian American educators’ identities and experiences, representation in education, teacher residency programs, Grow Your Own teacher preparation initiatives, and partnerships among universities, school districts and communities. His work considers how teacher preparation and educational policy can better support educators and the students and communities they serve.
During his Spring 2027 residency, Chu will partner with the Anchin Center to further develop this work and its potential contributions to research, policy and educational practice.
Through the Scholar in Residence Program, the Anchin Center is investing in faculty expertise while strengthening connections among research, professional learning and the needs of educational practitioners. The Center looks forward to sharing Walker’s and Chu’s work through future presentations, publications and collaborative initiatives during the 2026–27 academic year.