Professional Development with Dr Ira Young & Ernest Turner

Ira J. Young, Ed.D., is the Director of the SEED Scholars program at UC Berkeley. Previously, as Director of Diversity Programs at UC Berkeley, he led initiatives to support diversity and inclusion for students and scholars in the Division of Mathematical and Physical Sciences. He also advised faculty and department chairs on improving access, equity, and inclusion within their programs.

Dr. Young focuses on helping students succeed through inclusive development models, mentorship, and professional opportunities for marginalized groups. His research examines how ethnicity impacts STEM experiences in higher education and explores ways institutions can foster belonging and success for underrepresented students. He earned a BA in Social Psychology from Dillard University, an M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from San Jose State University, and an Ed.D. from UC Davis.

Ernest Turner is a third-year student at UC Berkeley, studying Industrial Engineering and Operations Research. He is passionate about using analytical and problem-solving skills to optimize processes and systems. With a strong foundation in mathematics and a curiosity for how things work, he is focused on designing and improving processes to increase efficiency and productivity while staying informed about advancements in the field.

Outside of academics, Ernest enjoys playing sports and volunteering in his community. His professional goal is to build a strong foundation in industrial engineering through academic excellence, internships, extracurricular activities, and certification. He aspires to gain practical experience and become a successful industrial engineer within the next five years.