EPOL Department - Student Spotlight

Meet our EPOL Graduate Students!

  • Onyebuchi Stephanie Ewa

    May 18, 2026 9:30 pm |  8  Views

    Onyebuchi S. Ewa is a PhD student in the Philosophy of Education concentration with a research focus in Higher Education. Her experiences cut across community engagement, nonprofit philanthropy, undergraduate teaching, and research. Her current scholarship explores undergraduate women’s experiences, the identity development of Black women, and philosophical frameworks that examine their experiences within higher education. Her research methodology is grounded in theoretical and conceptual analysis, as well as qualitative inquiry.

    Advisors: Dr. Rebecca Taylor & Dr. Tamara Bertrand Jones

    Anticipated Graduation Year: 2030

    Academic Background:

    • Ph.D. in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership | Concentration: Philosophy of Education, and Higher Education, University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign (In progress)
    • M.S. Ed. Diversity and Equity in Education | Concentration: Gender and Education, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
    • B.Ed. Adult Education | Concentration: Community Development, University of Calabar, Calabar.

    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/onyebuchi-ewa-089804241

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  • Armando J. Torres (he/him)

    Mar 2, 2026 5:15 pm |  22  Views

    Armando is a popular educator, researcher, and community mobilizer with 15 years of experience working in community with local and international CBO’s, scholars and community mobilizers to transform education in Brazil, Mexico, and beyond. He is a multilingual researcher and TA teaching social justice, globalization, and digital equity where he is regularly recognized as a "Teacher Ranked as Excellent" by students.  

    His research engages communities in problem-solving and justice-oriented transdisciplinary research to critically examine the effects of digital development on culture, education, and sustainability in Brazilian Favelas and the World. Armando's work aims to strengthen networks of community mobilizers among Global Majority countries to transform sustainable development paradigms for the flourishment of people and planet.

    Education Background:

    Ph.D. Education Policy, Organization & Leadership, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 2026 (Expected)

    M.Ed. Postsecondary Administration & Student Affairs, University of Southern California, 2016

    B.A. Global Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara, 2012

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  • Yuanxun(Miaomiao) Wei (she/her/hers)

    Jan 26, 2026 4:30 pm |  54  Views

    Yuanxun Wei is a doctoral student in the Educational Policy, Organization, and Leadership department with a concentration in Learning Design and Leadership. Her research interests focus on how generative AI shapes collaborative learning and discourse in multicultural higher education settings.

    Anticipated Graduation Year: 2029

    Academic Background:

    Ph.D. (in progress), Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership (Learning Design and Leadership), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL. 

    M.S. in Recreation, Park and Tourism Management, The Pennsylvania State University, 2024

    B.S. in Tourism Management and Development, Arizona State University, 2021

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuanxun-w-427327178/?locale=en_US

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  • Ashish Gaur

    Nov 27, 2025 1:30 pm |  43  Views

    Ashish Gaur is a research scholar in Philosophy of Education whose work focuses on developing ethical principles for AI tools in education. His experience as both a teacher and an EdTech product developer informs his interest in the ethics of technology in learning environments. His current research also explores themes such as educational freedom as attunement, pedagogical tact as the essence of teaching, and first-principle approaches to assumptions in educational technology design, using interpretive & qualitative methods.

    Advisor: Dr. Nicolas Tanchuk

    Expected Graduation: 2029

    • Educational Background:

    • Ph.D. in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership | Concentration: Philosophy of Education, University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign (In progress)

    • Master of Arts in Education | Concentration: School Organization, Leadership and Management, Azim Premji University, Bengaluru

    • Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Technology | IGNOU, Delhi

    • Bachelor of Science in Physics | University of Delhi

    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ashish-gaur-profile

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  • Ramon Morgan

    Oct 23, 2025 5:00 pm |  49  Views

    Ramon Morgan is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership with a concentration in Social Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His research examines systemic inequities affecting African American students, using Critical Race Theory and counter-storytelling narratives to promote equity in marginalized communities and explore belonging, achievement, and representation in educational spaces. His work integrates oral history, policy analysis, and qualitative research to highlight the lived experiences of underrepresented learners.

    Advisor: Dr. Adeoye Adeyemo
    Expected Year of Graduation: 2030

    Educational Background:

    • Ph.D. Student, Education Policy, Organization & Leadership, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Concentration: Social Sciences

    • M.A. in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Class of 2025)

    • B.A. in History and Secondary Education, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Class of 2022)

    • Professional Educator License (PEL) in Secondary Education – History, State of Illinois

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramonjmorgan/

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  • Lametric Patterson, Ed.S.

    Aug 17, 2025 12:30 pm |  23  Views

    Lametric Patterson is a Ed.D. student in the Department of Education, Policy, Organization, and Leadership, with a concentration in Human Resource Development. She has more than 20 years of experience designing and facilitating professional learning for educators. She previously served as an executive leadership coach (PPIS) and instructional designer for DoDEA and academic librarian, school librarian, and technology specialist in various PK-16 environments. Her research focuses on how AI can enhance learning transfer in asynchronous online courses designed for instructional leaders. She launched Curaited.io, an AI tools directory and training resource, to support educators with effectively utilizing AI to accelerate teaching and learning. 

    Advisor: Dr. Jessica Li   

    Expected Graduation: 2026 

    Educational Background: 

    • Ed.D. (in progress) Education Policy, Organization & Leadership | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Concentration:  Human Resource Development
    • Ed.S. Media - Instructional Technology, University of West Georgia
    • M.S. Information Sciences (ALA Accredited), University of Tennessee-Knoxville
    • B.A. Psychology, University of Tennessee-Knoxville

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lametric-patterson-ed-s-909523a

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  • Joey Shepherd (he/him/his)

    Apr 14, 2025 10:45 am |  100  Views

    Joey Shepherd is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Education Policy, Organization & Leadership with concentrations in Higher Education and the History of Education. He has ten years of experience as a higher education administrator and has previously served as a director of the following areas: academic accommodations/accessibility services, first-year transition support, housing, peer tutoring, residence life, student conduct adjudication, and student support. His research focuses on historical and contemporary barriers to higher education access, equity, and inclusion; first generation college students; and critical whiteness studies. 

    Expected Year of Graduation: 2028

    Educational Background:
    Ph.D. (in progress) Education Policy, Organization & Leadership, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    M.A., Adult and Higher Education, Morehead State University, 2018
    B.A., Education Studies, Berea College, 2014


    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeyshepherd/

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  • Hyena Cho (she/her/hers)

    Mar 5, 2025 10:30 am |  91  Views

    Hyena Cho is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, concentrating in Human Resource Development. Originally from South Korea, She earned her B.A. and M.A. in Education from Yonsei University, focusing on Human Resource Development and Education of Work. Before starting her Ph.D., she worked as a medical education researcher at Ajou University Medical Center. Her research focuses on enhancing individual and organizational work-related development, ultimately fostering meaningful work and well-being for all organization members. She takes an educational approach to addressing workplace and school-to-work transition challenges, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methodologies.

    • Advisor: Dr. Chang-kyu Kwon
    • Expected Year of Graduation: 2029
    • Educational Background: 

    Ph.D. student, Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership (Human Resource Development), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA.

    M.A., Education (Human Resource Development), Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.

    B.A., Education, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.

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  • Madelyne Lovekamp (she/her/hers)

    Mar 3, 2025 2:30 pm |  30  Views

    Madelyne Lovekamp is a graduate student in the Educational Policy, Organization, and Leadership department with a concentration in Learning Design and Leadership. Her professional background includes 3 years of teaching experience in the public school system in both Colorado and Illinois. Her research interests include student engagement and technology integration within the higher education setting. 


    Advisor: Dr. Vania Castro

    Anticipated Graduation Year: 2026

    Academic Background:

    M.Ed. (in progress) Educational Policy, Organization, and Leadership; Learning Design and Leadership, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2026

    B.S. in Elementary Education, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2022

    A.A. in Education, Richland Community College, 2016

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  • Gabrielle Haggins, M.Ed. (she/hers)

    Feb 24, 2025 2:00 pm |  109  Views

    Gabrielle Haggins is a PhD student in the Higher Education program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). Her research explores global education and the experiences of Black women in academia. She examines cultural and communicative barriers to educational equity in the U.S. and abroad, emphasizing international education’s role in fostering cultural awareness and diversifying perspectives, particularly the impact of Black faculty teaching abroad. Additionally, she investigates how identity and socialization shape Black women’s experiences in graduate education and early career stages. Her work aims to advance equity, inclusion, and opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds, particularly people of color.

    Advisor: Tamara Bertrand Jones

    Anticipated Graduation Year: 2027

    Academic Background:

    Ph.D. (in progress) Higher Education, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2027

    Certificate, Program Evaluation, 2024

    M.Ed. Higher Education Administration, Georgia Southern University, 2021

    Certificates: English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), 2021

    B.A. in Spanish World Languages and Culture, Valdosta State University, 2018

    A.A. in Foreign Languages, Darton State College, 2016

    A.S. in Health Sciences, Darton State College, 2016

    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielle-haggins-m-ed-32bb6a225

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  • Juhi Bansal (she/her)

    Aug 29, 2024 12:00 am |  55  Views

    Juhi is a doctoral student in the Department of Education Policy, Organization and Leadership with a concentration in  Learning Design & Leadership. Her research interests lie at the intersection of AI and education and exploring how technology can be leveraged to create adaptive and personalized learning experiences, as well as innovative formative assessment techniques.

    She currently works at the Centre for Learning Futures at Ahmedabad University, India.

    Advisor: Dr. Mary Kalantzis

    Anticipated Graduation: 2028

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/bansaljuhi/


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  • Minjoo Chong, PhD (She/Her)

    Jun 17, 2024 10:15 am |  172  Views
    • Minjoo Chong is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Education Policy, Organization and Leadership with a concentration in Social Science & Education Policy. She adopts a comparative and critical perspective on education policy. Her research focuses on policy recommendations that promote innovation and improvement in higher education policy both within the U.S. and abroad context.
    • Advisor: Dr. Curtis Mason
    • Expected Graduation Year: 2028
    • Academic Background:
    •  - Ph.D., (in progress), Education Policy, Organization and Leadership, 
    •    University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
    •  - M.A., Comparative Education, Yonsei University
    •  - B.A., Education / English Education, Kongju National University  
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  • Judith Kom Nguiffo

    May 28, 2024 3:00 am |  12  Views

    Judith is a doctoral student in the Department of Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership with a concentration in Diversity and Equity in Education. Her research interests include access to equitable computer science education for minority students, immigrant students' achievement, and teachers' working conditions. Her work involves program evaluation, survey design and delivery, management of large datasets, and data analysis to support policymaking.

    Advisor: Dr. Curtis Mason

    Expected Graduation: 2025

    Educational Background:

    • EdD (in progress) – Educational Policy, Organization & Leadership – Educational Administration and Leadership, University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign 
    • Certificate (2016)- Education Policy and Program Evaluation, Georgetown University
    • MS (2006)- Economics and Statistical Engineering, ENSEA Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
    • Bs (2003) – Statistics, ENSEA Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judith-kom-nguiffo

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  • Israt Z Nipa (She/her)

    Jan 6, 2024 7:15 pm |  77  Views

    Israt Z Nipa is a student in the Department of Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership with a concentration in Global Studies in Education. She has more than 5 years of teaching experience at schools and universities. She worked as a lecturer at a university back in Bangladesh and taught undergrad students. Her research interests lie in the international students' experiences, internationalization of higher education, and equity in girl's education. 

    • Advisor: Dr. Rebecca Taylor 
    • Expected Year of Graduation: 2027 
    • Educational Background: 
    • Ph.D. Student, Education Policy, Organization & Leadership, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Concentration: Global Studies in Education 
    • M.A. in English Literature, Premier University
    • B.A. in English Literature, Premier University
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  • Mario D. Marquez, MPA

    Aug 18, 2023 1:00 pm |  50  Views

    Mario D. Marquez is a doctoral student in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership, with a concentration in Diversity and Equity, at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Mario is currently a Management Analyst with the District of Columbia Government. He previously served an adult school in Washington, DC where he oversaw dual-enrollment, workforce development, career coaching, and alumni services. A native of the Inland Empire, Mario earned a Master of Public Administration from California State University, San Bernardino, and a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy and Sociology from the University of California, Riverside. He spent the early stages of his career supporting college access programs, community-based public health organizations, and transportation planning agencies. Mr. Marquez volunteered with Queer Alliance at UCR, Associated Students, Inc. at CSUSB, and The Next Step/El Próximo Paso’s Board of Trustees. His professional interests include school choice models, performance management, public education finance, and nonprofit governance; and his research interests concern access policies, excluded populations, and postsecondary education.

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariodmarquez

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  • Aigul Rakisheva, PhD (She/Her)

    Mar 29, 2023 9:00 am |  299  Views

    Aigul Rakisheva is a doctoral student in the Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership Department, with a concentration in Global Studies in Education. Her research interests include initial teacher education focusing on Information and Communication Technologies and Virtual Exchange, the rural and urban gap in education, gender equality in higher education, and international/comparative research. Aigul utilizes mixed methods and art-based methods in her research approach.

    • Advisor: Dr. Allison Witt 
    • Expected Year of Graduation: 2027 
    • Educational Background: 
    • Ph.D. student, Education Policy, Organization & Leadership, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Concentration: Global Studies in Education 
    • M.Sc. Educational Leadership: Higher Education, Nazarbayev University 
    • M.Sc. in Geography, Pavlodar State University 
    • B.Sc. in Geography, Pavlodar State University 

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aigul-rakisheva/

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  • Lauren Purcell, Ed.D. Student

    Jan 23, 2023 4:30 pm |  96  Views

    Lauren Purcell is a doctoral student in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership program, with a concentration in Learning Design and Leadership. Lauren holds a master's degree in Art and Design Education from Pratt Institute. Her area of focus is New Media, Learning, and Assessment Technologies. For the past 10 years, she has been an Instructional Designer (ID). Lauren's career goal is to become a Learning Experience Designer (LXD). 

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  • Chiquita R N Toure, Ed.D Student

    Jan 16, 2023 3:45 pm |  61  Views

    Chiquita Toure is a doctoral student in Educational Policy, Organization and Leadership with a concentration in Diversity and Equity . As an educator- librarian her research interests include ethnic diversity in literature for grades PK12  soft censorship among school librarians, history of African American public education, oral history and Black Girlhood narratives. She has served in the Columbus City School disrict for over 27 years.

    Advisor: Dr Sharon Lee

    Expected graduation date: 2026

    Educational Background:

    Ed.D. student, Education Policy, Organization & Leadership, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Concentration: Diversity and Equity

    M.Ed., School Library and Information Technologies, Mansfield University ,Mansfield, Pennslyvania

    M.Ed., Educational Policy Studies, Policy Analysis, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 

    B.S., Elementary Education, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

     

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  • Haeryun Kim, PhD (She/Her)

    Jan 6, 2023 3:15 pm |  303  Views

    Haeryun Kim is a doctoral student in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership with a concentration in Educational Administration & Leadership. Her research interests are school organizational structures required for equity-focused reform, with an emphasis on principal leadership, teacher labor markets, school finance, and district governance. Haeryun uses quantitative methods to study how to design school personnel policies, distribute school finance, and structure education governance with the goal of respecting learner diversity and ensuring the inclusion of all students. 

    • Advisor: Dr. Paul Bruno
    • Expected Year of Graduation: 2027
    • Educational Background
      • Ph.D. student, Education Policy, Organization & Leadership, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Concentration: Educational Administration & Leadership
      • M.A., Educational Policy & Educational Administration, Chung-Ang University
      • B.A., Education, Chung-Ang UniversityDouble Major in English EducationMinor in Political Science and International RelationsExchange Student at University of Turku, located in Finland
    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haeryunkim
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  • Elena Sharafutdinova, Ed.D. Student

    Jan 5, 2023 10:45 am |  114  Views

    Elena Sharafutdinova is an online doctoral student in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership program, with concentration in Learning Design and Leadership. Elena holds two Master’s degrees, one in teaching Italian as a second language and one in Linguistics. Her primary research interest is in SLA and pedagogy with a focus on Italian and e-learning. She has a book chapter (May 2022) in “Mind and second language acquisition: Experimental Approaches”. Currently, Elena teaches Italian at California State University and serves as a CSU QLT Systemwide online/hybrid course reviewer.

    Advisor: Dr. Mary Kalantzis

    Anticipated Graduation: 2024

    LinkedIn: Elena S.

    CV: Elena S.

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  • Christian Holmes

    Jan 5, 2023 10:15 am |  45  Views

    Christian is currently pursuing his Ed.D. in the Learning Design and Leadership concentration with a focus on how Self-Determination Theory can be leveraged to improve student engagement with their studies. 

    Christian is currently employed in Denver, Colorado as the Director of Innovation and Technology at The STEAD School, an innovative Project-Based Learning school housed in next-gen agriculture and CTE. 

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  • H. M. Kuneyl M.A.Ed.

    Jan 3, 2023 2:30 pm |  100  Views

    Kuneyl (Ka-Neil) is a Ph.D. student in EPOL with dual concentrations in Higher Education and History of Education. Her research interest centers the history of two-year colleges which were founded in the Jim Crow South, minority serving institutions, and racially marginalized community college students. Kuneyl has served in higher education for over eight years and currently works as a graduate research assistant for the Office of Community College Research and Leadership (OCCRL).

    Advisors: Dr. Baber, Lorenzo and Dr. Jon Hale 

    Education: Lone Star Community College (A.S.) Texas A&M University (B.S.) Virginia Tech (M.A.Ed.). 

    LinkedIn: H.M. Kuneyl | LinkedIn

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  • Aaron Schlessman (he/him)

    Aug 25, 2022 1:45 pm |  71  Views

    Aaron is a doctoral candidate in EPOL with a concentration in Diversity and Equity. He has nearly 20 years of experience in training and education, first as a training supervisor with the U.S. Navy then as a high school teacher, administrator, and instructional leader. Academically, he has completed all coursework and exams and has moved into the disseration phase. His primary interest is in establishing clear guideposts that can help to operationalize anti-racism for classroom teachers so they have a path to follow to ensure that their approach with all students is as racially equitable as possible. 

    Graduate Advisor: Dr. Denice Ward Hood 

    Expected Graduation Year: 2023

    Academic Background: 

    B.A. Justice Studies - Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, Illinois

    M.Ed. Educational Policy, Organization, & Leadership - University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois

    Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/aschlessman

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  • Yaning Cao

    Aug 24, 2022 10:00 am |  248  Views

    Yaning Cao is a doctoral student in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership. Her concentration is Global Studies and her research is in international higher education collaboration. Her work experience in a one joint-venture university in China leads her to consider efficient ways for higher education institutes to collaborate and in what ways education policy can benefit students to become global citizens in the future.

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  • Nakisha Griffin, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, ACC

    Aug 23, 2022 5:30 pm |  59  Views

    Nakisha Griffin is an EDD student in the Human Resource Development concentration in the Department of Education Policy, Organization & Leadership.  She has over fifteen years of human resources leadership experience with a specialization in recruitment strategy, workforce planning, and organizational development. Her research interests are building world class human capital functions within startup organizations, connecting people and business strategies, and leadership team dynamics. Nakisha has over fifteen years of human resources leadership experience. She currently serves as the Head of Human Resources for Neustar Security Services based in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan. 

    Advisor: Wen-Hao (David) Huang

    Expected Year of Graduation: May 2026

    Educational Background:

    M.P.S.  in Human Resource Management,  University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT

    B.S. of Management Science,  Kean University, Union, NJ

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nakishagriffin/

     

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