Parker Cronin, Director

 

 

Parker is a founding member and former Chief Operations Officer of Detroit Urban Debate Education. In the past, he has organized our summer camp, conference, and several other events. He is a strong advocate of the pedagogical benefits of debate and teaches weekly at both Plymouth Prep HS and Romulus HS.

 

 

 

 

Kyle Deming, Chief Information Officer

 

 

Kyle has been a member of Detroit Urban Debate Education since 2009. A junior at the University of Michigan studying political science and history, he has taught at Cass Technical High School and runs the tab room at DUDE's Junior Varsity State Tournament. He currently operates the website created by his predecessor, Lee Reed. Comments, questions, and concerns about the site can be directed to him at kyle.deming7@gmail.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mimi Karabulut, Assistant Director

 

 

Mimi is assistant director of DUDE and is studying international relations at the University of Michigan. She debated three years in high school and one year in college. She is involved in DUDE because she believes it helps people in all aspects of their lives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bala Sekaran, Chief Financial Officer

 

 

Bala is the Chief Financial Officer of Detroit Urban Debate Education (DUDE). He is a Junior at the University of Michigan majoring in Business and Political Science. He is a member of the University of Michigan debate team and has been debating for seven years. He believes that debate provides a strong foundation to develop future thinkers and policy makers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aakash Gupta, Secretary of the Board

 

Aakash began his career as a debater at Portage Northern High School, where he led his team to a state championship and was frequently a top-5 speaker at national tournaments. Aakash was a two-time qualifier for the Tournament of Champions (TOC). Aakash has coached for International Academy, Portage Northern, West Bloomfield, and Brother Rice High Schools. With DUDE, Aakash has helped co-direct the Detroit Debate Insitute and the First Annual Conference on Urban Debate Pedagogy. Aakash was also a co-writer of Debate In the Classroom and is leading chapterization efforts. Aakash loves the NFL, rap music, and great news reporting. Talk to him about it.