The Importance of Practicing Cultural Humility: A Conversation with Dr. Nicci Dowd on Being the First African American President of DISES
In her message to members at the beginning of her term in January, Dr. Nicci Dowd, President of The Division of International Special Education and Services (DISES), said, “As the first African American President of DISES, this milestone underscores the importance of representation in leadership and the power of collaboration across borders and cultures.”
Dr. Dowd first learned of the division while pursuing her master’s degree in special education at Marymount University. When asked what made her want to join DISES, she said, “I joined because I wanted to be part of an organization that shaped the international conversation around inclusive education.” Dr. Clara Hauth, a former DISES president and one of Dr. Dowd’s professors at the time, “spoke so highly of DISES and the organization’s global commitment to equity and inclusion that it immediately piqued my interest.”
“Looking back, joining DISES was absolutely one of the best professional decisions I’ve made. Being part of a global community that believes inclusive education is a matter of human dignity aligns with my values.”—Dr. Nicci Dowd
The Division of International Special Education and Services is a special interest division of The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) that “serves as a catalyst for the international exchange of special education practice, promotes international research, and sponsors forums for professional development, and establishes networks that foster international association.” In her plans for the year, Dr. Dowd’s focus is on, “deepening DISES’ global reach while ensuring our work has lasting impact.” Dr. Dowd mentioned cultural humility in her last interview with CEC, “…goals for the upcoming trip include…approach[ing] every experience with cultural humility.” When asked to expand upon the idea of cultural humility, Dr. Dowd said it is “the belief that we are lifelong learners who approach others with curiosity, respect, and the understanding that we are not the experts in someone else’s cultural context. It’s a mindset grounded in listening first, acknowledging our own biases, and building partnerships…not prescriptions.”
She experienced this at work in her time at Matuwa Junior School in Uganda: “The administrators there, including cofounder Mr. David Butula, invited me to support their special education initiative. One of the first trainings I helped develop was on SMART Goals. Because I wanted to ensure the training reflected the actual needs of the teachers, I reached out to an Ugandan educator, Rebecca Kisubika, and asked her to co-facilitate with me. My professional training is rooted in Western principles of special education, and I knew that coming in with only a Western lens could limit the relevance of the training. Rebecca ensured that our work was grounded in local context and priorities. While planning, I suggested we also add a session on classroom management, because from a Western perspective, that’s a common teacher need. Rebecca gently let me know, ‘Our teachers don’t struggle with behavior. The children here are very well behaved.’ That moment was humbling. It reminded me how easily we can project our own assumptions onto another community.”
“[Cultural humility] means recognizing that local educators hold deep expertise and that our role is to collaborate respectfully. For DISES, cultural humility must guide how we engage globally. It’s important to ensure we build culturally grounded and sustainable partnerships.”—Dr. Nicci Dowd
Since its inception, DISES has had dozens of presidents. Dr. Nicci Dowd is the first African American to serve as president of the division. When asked what this means to her, she said, “It is an incredible honor and a meaningful responsibility. Being the first African American president represents progress not only within DISES but within the broader field of global special education leadership. Representation matters. When members see leadership that reflects diverse identities, experiences, and perspectives, it communicates that their voices belong here too.”
On a personal level, Dr. Dowd shares, “…it is humbling. I stand on the shoulders of countless educators and leaders of color who paved the way despite limited opportunities. My hope is that my presidency opens the door wider for others, especially those from historically underrepresented backgrounds, to take on leadership roles. I also hope it creates space for them to share their expertise and perspectives…[and] it affirms that they belong in global spaces and can see themselves as valued contributors to the field.”
Throughout her career, Dr. Dowd’s identity has “shaped [her] experience in powerful ways…I have often been the only one, or one of very few, African American women in leadership roles within professional spaces related to special education. That reality has heightened my awareness of issues related to access, equity, and representation.”
She went on to describe how her identity has also fueled her advocacy in the sphere of special education, “I understand what it feels like to navigate systems that weren’t always designed with your identity in mind, and that lived experience strengthens my commitment to belongingness, culturally responsive, and equitable practices.”
Special education is important everywhere, not just in the United States. Dr. Dowd emphasized this when she expressed her hopes for how people consider and view special education with an international lens, “I hope people understand that special education is not a separate system, it’s an integral part of creating equitable and inclusive schools. Around the world, children with disabilities continue to face exclusion from classrooms, opportunities, and social participation. At its core, special education is about access, belonging, and human dignity.”
“Internationally, it’s important to recognize that inclusive practices must be shaped by cultural and contextual realities. What works in one country may not translate to another. However, one universal truth remains: every child has strengths, every child can learn, and every child deserves a teacher who believes in them. In the words of the late Dr. Rita Pierson, ‘Every child deserves a champion.’”—Dr. Nicci Dowd
In her closing comments, Dr. Dowd mentioned that she would like members to know, “how appreciative I am for their trust, support, and partnership. DISES is a unique and powerful community. DISES thrives because of the passion, collaboration, and heart of its members.” She encourages everyone to stay engaged, contribute their voice, and continue building the international connections that make DISES so extraordinary, “Together, we are creating a future where inclusive education is not just aspirational…it’s a lived reality rooted in access, dignity, and true belongingness for children and families across the world.”
To find out more about DISES, you can find their page here.