from the heart of Eleni

Dr. Eleni Roulis dedicated herself wholeheartedly to the enrichment of every student at the University of St. Thomas, where the individual learner stood at the core of her teaching philosophy. The founder and director of the doctoral program in Critical Pedagogy and the director of the Graduate Writing and Research Center, she served as the chair of both the Department of Teacher Education and the Department of Curriculum and Instruction over the course of 12 years. Her energy, encouragement and intellect changed the lives of all she encountered.

Many of her students, such as Linsey Krohn ’23, attested to the profound impact of Dr. Roulis on their lives, emphasizing the nurturing and supportive environment she created in her classroom.

But Eleni’s impact didn’t stop in the classroom, her generosity extended beyond the University to a small school in the heart of south Minneapolis. In her honor, the Dr. Eleni Roulis Endowed Scholarship Fund was established in 2023 at Risen Christ Catholic School, whose students she joyfully sought to support.

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Being in Eleni’s class felt like being home. She provided unconditional love and care for all of her students. All of those she taught to ‘pass it on, and pay it forward’ her kindness will continue to impact this Earth forever.

Lindsay Krohn, ’23 University of St. Thomas

Risen Christ has become a home for predominately Latino families, many of whom are first or second generation Americans. Providing tuition assistance to over 96% of its student body, Risen Christ is the only Catholic Dual Immersion school in the state of Minnesota and one of only 41 in the nation. Students at Risen Christ are taught in both Spanish and English, learning to embrace their own cultural heritage, while also learning and embracing the traditions of others.

All students at Risen Christ graduate bilingual, making them uniquely prepared to engage in a global society. Alumni go on to academically rigorous high schools and later become first generation college graduates. As exemplified by one graduate, Karla (‘17) is pursuing an education degree at University of St. Thomas and volunteers at Risen Christ, hoping to inspire Latino students to achieve similar success.

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It’s important for children to have the opportunity to attend Risen Christ. Disadvantaged minority children have a difficult path, but it doesn’t mean they have to face their journey alone. Risen Christ embraces them.

Karla, ’17 Risen Christ Graduate

In her final wish, Eleni hoped to inspire young girls at Risen Christ to embrace education as a life-changing journey, empowering them to contribute positively to the world around them and serve the greater good. To fulfill this vision, a $500 scholarship will be awarded annually to 7th grader.

Dr. Eleni’s legacy and spirit will endure through the scholarship fund established in her memory, ensuring that the young women of today benefit from the transformative power of education for years to come.