EHD Double Take: Celebrating Stories That Unite Us

On March 20, 2025, the EHD community gathered together to connect – not just as classmates and colleagues, but as human beings who each have a unique story to tell.

Modeled after the popular UVA series "Double Take: Stories That Make You Think Twice," the inaugural EHD Double Take event brought together students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the school for an evening of laughter, empathy, and unity.  

Voices of EHD

This event featured compelling stories from seven speakers who represented faculty, staff, students, and alumni, as well as all four of the school’s academic departments.  

One by one, they each took the microphone to share personal narratives that were in turn amusing, heartfelt, surprising, thought-provoking, and inspiring.  

• Jim Carlisle (Third-Year Student, Youth and Social Innovation) told the story of his winding path to UVA, advising listeners to “keep the wheel moving” and always pursue your happiness.
• Katie Leigh ('14, '23, Undergraduate Degree Director, Teacher Education) shared the story of the classroom that almost made her quit her teaching program – and how she ultimately found her way back to her life’s calling.
• Moira Johnson ('07, Project Manager, CASTL) shared the heartbreaking story of losing her daughter Isla at just four months old and what it taught her about living with – and the importance of sharing – grief.  
• Stephanie Rowley ('95, '97, Dean, UVA School of Education and Human Development) recounted her experience with a mysterious illness and how she learned to lean on her friends and family in times of distress and uncertainty.
• Danielle (Dan) Moore-Lewis ('17, Ph.D. Candidate, Higher Education) spoke about growing up in Jamaica, and how her mother’s connection to nature and belief in the power of environment have shaped her personal and academic goals.  
• Emily Madrak (Assistant Professor, Kinesiology) opened up about her personal experience battling an eating disorder – and how she turned her pain into a passion for promoting health and well-being.  
• Stan Trent ('92, Associate Professor, CISE) shared an amusing and heartfelt anecdote about his father and the sacrifices we make for the people we love most.  

An Evening of Connection and Reflection

Created by UVA President Jim Ryan in 2018, the goal of the Double Take event series is to explore the power of storytelling to build connections. None of the speakers had heard the others’ stories before the event.

"I was so moved by the courage and authenticity of my fellow speakers,” said Dean Stephanie Rowley. “This event reminded me of the power of vulnerability and connection, and of the wonderful community we have here at EHD. I was honored to be a part of it.”

Johnson said that while it is still difficult to share her daughter’s story, she has learned that it helps her process her grief and often opens the door to a richer conversation. “I learn so much about people’s lives when I share a piece of my own,” she said. “Telling my story to my EHD community was a very powerful experience for me, and I hope we can normalize conversations about grief – because everyone goes through it at some point in their lives, and those are the times when community is so vitally important.”

Following the main event, attendees enjoyed a reception with refreshments, providing time to chat with others and reflect on the stories they heard.

“Attending the EHD Double Take event was a truly empowering experience, said Grace Pohlmann, a graduate student in the higher education program. “It reminded me of the profound impact of listening to others' stories and how sharing our personal experiences can inspire meaningful change and strengthen the bonds within our community.”

Altogether, the event provided a unique opportunity to see a different side of the people who make up the EHD community – and a reminder that we all have something to learn from one another, if we take the time to listen.

Revisit the Event

If you weren’t able to attend the event in person – or if you want to revisit the experience – you can watch a recording of the full event below.