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EPOL Department - Student Spotlight
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  • Joey Shepherd (he/him/his)

    Apr 14, 2025 10:45 am11 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/

  • Hyena Cho (she/her/hers)

    Mar 5, 2025 10:30 am26 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.

  • Madelyne Lovekamp (she/her/hers)

    Mar 3, 2025 2:30 pm9 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

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

    Feb 24, 2025 2:00 pm26 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

  • Juhi Bansal (she/her)

    Aug 29, 2024 12:00 am30 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/


  • Minjoo Chong, PhD (She/Her)

    Jun 17, 2024 10:15 am95 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  

  • Judith Kom Nguiffo

    May 28, 2024 3:00 am10 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

  • Israt Z Nipa (She/her)

    Jan 6, 2024 7:15 pm34 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

  • Naomi Simmons-Thorne, PhD (She/Her)

    Sep 12, 2023 9:45 am182 views

    Naomi Simmons-Thorne is a PhD Student in Philosophy of Education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Naomi serves as an instructor, graduate research assistant, and Doctoral Fellow of the Graduate College. 

    Her research interests include moral and political philosophy, black education, black feminism, Africana philosophy, decolonial thought, Marxism, and critical theory/pedagogies. 

    Advisor: Rebecca Taylor

    Anticipated Graduation: 2028

    Education

    • PhD (2028), Philosophy of Education, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    • MT (2023), English Education, University of South Carolina
    • BA/BS (2020), Philosophy and Sociology, University of South Carolina
    • AA/AS (2018), Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College

  • Adetutu Fabusoro PhD (She, Her)

    Aug 19, 2023 9:15 pm73 views

    Adetutu Fabusoro is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Education, Policy, Organization, and Leadership, with a concentration in Human Resource Development. She has more than 10 years of experience in the corporate sector HR Learning and Development, Marketing, Relationship management, and the media in her country, and 3 years of experience in higher education teaching in the US. Her research interest is in Communicative competence/linguistics profiling and effect on career development in Corporate America

    Advisor: Jessica Li

    Expected Graduation: 2025

    Academic Background:

    Ph.D. (in progress) Education Policy, Organization & Leadership | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Concentration:  Human Resource Development

    M.A. Teaching English as Second Language (Linguistics), University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

    M.A. Communication and Language Arts, University of Ibadan, Ibadan Nigeria.

    B.A. Communication and Language Arts, University of Ibadan, Ibadan Nigeria.

  • Mario D. Marquez, MPA

    Aug 18, 2023 1:00 pm30 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

  • Nina Frye, M.Ed (she/her)

    Jul 14, 2023 3:15 pm30 views

    Nina is a doctoral candidate in the EPOL department’s Diversity and Equity in Education program. She is the proud wife to Thomas and mother to Winola (8), Maybelle (6), and Barrett (4). A 16-year veteran educator, Nina teaches Language Arts at Urbana Middle School. She strives to empower her students, especially those from historically marginalized groups. Nina’s research interests include encouraging student voice within the classroom, investigating the efficacy of workshop pedagogy, and promoting antiracist ideologies among preservice and practicing teachers. Upon graduation, Nina will continue teaching and begin amateur rock tumbling. 

  • Aigul Rakisheva, PhD (She/Her)

    Mar 29, 2023 9:00 am249 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/

  • Beste Erel Windes, Ed.D. Student

    Feb 28, 2023 10:15 am48 views

    Beste Erel Windes is a doctoral student in the Global Studies in Education graduate concentration in the Department of Education Policy, Organization & Leadership. As a higher education professional, Beste is very interested in college student development and higher education policy in global contexts, particularly in global health education. Beste's research interests include educational gaps in the intersection of globalization and healthcare settings.

  • Nicole M. DelMastro-Jeffery

    Feb 10, 2023 6:45 am137 views

    Nicole M. DelMastro-Jeffery is a doctoral student in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership. Nicole’s research focuses on the intersection of community determinants of health and educational trajectories of marginalized collegians. Her quantitative approach to mapping proximity of educational institutions to quality basic needs, such as access to clean drinking water, is a genuine passion of hers. Over the past decade she has served in a variety of leadership roles across 2-year and 4-year colleges. Nicole is excited about the future upstream sustainable transdisciplinary approach to ensuring students’ physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing on their way to graduation.

  • Lauren Purcell, Ed.D. Student

    Jan 23, 2023 4:30 pm54 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). 

  • Chiquita R N Toure, Ed.D Student

    Jan 16, 2023 3:45 pm34 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

     

  • Haeryun Kim, PhD (She/Her)

    Jan 6, 2023 3:15 pm248 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

  • Elena Sharafutdinova, Ed.D. Student

    Jan 5, 2023 10:45 am86 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.

  • Christian Holmes

    Jan 5, 2023 10:15 am27 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. 

  • Kelly Fishman, MEd

    Jan 4, 2023 1:00 pm37 views

    Kelly Fishman is a doctoral student in the Education Policy, Organization, & Leadership program with a focus on Diversity & Equity in Education who is being mentored by advisor Dr. Curtis Mason. Her research focuses on sense of belonging in high school, black, male, special education students. She is currently the Anti-Defamation League's Education Director for Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, & Western Pennsylvania where she utilizes her more than a decade of experience as a pulic high school teacher to help schools implement anti-bias and anti-bullying programming for students of all ages. She plans to graduate in 2023. LinkedIn

  • Anna Shapoval

    Jan 4, 2023 4:30 am30 views

    Anna (Ganna) Shapoval is a doctoral student in the Education Policy, Organization and Leadership Program with a concentration in Global Studies in Education. Anna’s research focuses on identifying enablers and barriers that shape eLearning application in the continuous professional education (CPE) of medical practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine, which exemplifies a LMIC context. Anna offers over 25 years of professional experience in the field of international development, capacity building, and adult education. Since 2013, Anna has served as the Country Director for the International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH) of the University of Washington (UW) in Ukraine.

  • Arianna Agramonte Holterman

    Jan 3, 2023 4:30 pm46 views

    Arianna Agramonte Holterman is a doctoral student in the Higher Education graduate concentration. Their advisor is Dr. Denice Ward Hood. Arianna's research tends to focus on student retention and success within crisis or emergency situations. Currently they plan to utilize oral history methods to gather Latinx student success narratives during the COVID-19 pandemic. Arianna plans to graduate in Spring 2025.  Arianna has 16 years of experience in Higher Education and Student Affairs within areas such as University Housing, The Career Center, and Office of the Dean of Students. LinkedIn: www.linkedin/in/AriannaHolterman. 

  • H. M. Kuneyl M.A.Ed.

    Jan 3, 2023 2:30 pm79 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

  • Tara Adams, Ed.M., JD

    Jan 3, 2023 9:30 am98 views

    Tara is a Ph.D. student in EPOL with a concentration in higher education. Her research interests are focused specifically on the ethics of higher education fundraising, particularly when it comes to vulnerable donor populations like the elderly and cognitively impaired. Tara is currently the Director of Development at North Carolina State University in Raleigh and the co-founder of Cognitive Empowerment Consulting, a higher education and nonprofit consulting firm. 

    Advisor: Dr. Jennifer Delaney

    Education: Illinois State University (B.S.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (J.D. & Ed.M.)

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

  • Wendy Mockler Giles

    Dec 28, 2022 3:30 pm36 views

    Wendy is an expert teacher and university lecturer and tutor with a demonstrated history of working in schools and higher education. Skilled in interdisciplinary approaches, student-centred pedagogy, data analysis, and innovative assessment with an accent on building self-efficacy through challenge and engagement with a strong emphasis on building relationships. 

    Program of Study: Doctor of Education

    Research interests: The future of learning with e-learning ecologies; sustainable assessment and the new social contract with education; building teachers’ self-efficacy through identity work; integrated approaches to teaching and learning in the humanities, especially economics.

    Advisor: Professor William Cope

    Expected Year of Graduation: 2025

    LinkedIn profile

     

  • Gina Karlin

    Aug 26, 2022 1:15 am59 views

    Gina is pursuing an Ed.D in EPOL with a concentration in Global Studies. She is an experienced educator with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. Her research is focused on international education policies and access to higher education for underserved communities. 

  • Aaron Schlessman (he/him)

    Aug 25, 2022 1:45 pm50 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

  • Yaning Cao

    Aug 24, 2022 10:00 am185 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.

  • Nakisha Griffin, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, ACC

    Aug 23, 2022 5:30 pm45 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/

     

  • Erich Stolz Spencer, EdD, MBA (he/him)

    Aug 23, 2022 3:30 pm73 views

    Hello, I am Erich Stolz Spencer and I am a doctoral student in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership with a concentration in Human Resources Development and Diversity & Equity in Education. My intended research focuses on exploring the barriers to equitable development and performance management in our current workplace. Specifically, how does our current definition of effective talent development and performance rating systems exclude individuals that are traditionally underserved? As part of this, I would like to examine the traditional methods of talent development, and if these methods are rooted in bias not already identified. Professionally I currently lead Global Diversity & Inclusion for a large healthcare technology organization and I have previously taught Human Resources in the Health Services Management program at the University of Minnesota. 

    Graduate Advisor: Dr. Jessica (Jie) Li

    Expected Graduation Year: 2025

    Academic Background:

    EdD (in progress) Education Policy, Organization & Leadership – Human Resources Development / Diversity & Equity in Education – University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - est. 2025

    MBA - Marketing - University of Toledo - 2009

    BBA - Human Resouces - University of Toledo - 2008

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erich-stolz-spencer/ 

  • Thong M. Trinh, PhD (he, him)

    Aug 23, 2022 1:15 pm384 views

    Thong M. Trinh is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Education Policy, Organization and Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education. His research focus is higher education policy with a focus on finance. Thong has published in the areas of student willingness to pay, university budgeting and related topics of higher education policy.

    Advisor: Dr. Jennifer Delaney

    Expected Graduation Year: 2027

    Academic Background: 

    • PhD (2022-Present) Education Policy, Organization & Leadership – Higher Education – University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    • MSc in Business Analysis and Consulting – University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom - 2022
    • BSc International Business - Banking Academy of Vietnam - 2019

    Websites:

    Homepage, Google Scholar

  • Tiffany P. White-LaPierre

    Aug 23, 2022 12:00 pm39 views

    Tiffany is a doctoral student in EPOL with a concentration in Human Resource Development. She is working on her dissertation where she intends to explore the perceptions of former students on their undergraduate internship experience within parks, recreation, tourism, and related professions. 

    Graduate Advisor: Dr. Jessica Li 

    Expected Graduation Year: 2023

    Academic Background: 

    BS Recreation, Sport, and Tourism - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

    MS Sports Managerment - American Public University 

    MA Management (Human Resource Management concentration) - American Public University

    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanypwhite/ 

  • Ryan Medina (he/him)

    Aug 23, 2022 10:00 am139 views

    Ryan Medina is a doctoral student in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership with a concentration in Philosophy of Education. His research interests revolve around epistemic injustice and the role of education in mitigating that. 

    Advisor: Dr. Nicholas Burbules

    Anticipated Graduation: 2027

    Academic Background

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

    M.A., Education - California State University, Sacramento

    B.A., Philosophy -  California State University, Sacramento

    LinkedIn: Ryan Medina

  • Derek Meyer, EdD (he, him, his)

    Aug 23, 2022 9:30 am57 views

    Derek Meyer is a doctoral student in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership with a concentration in Global Studies in Education and a graduate minor in Gender Relations in International Development. Derek’s research focuses on connections between China Studies, Chinese education policy, comparative US-China ethnicity studies, gender studies, DEI in higher education, and the internationalization of higher education. Derek currently serves as the Senior Manager of International Affairs at Westlake University in Hangzhou, China where he leads international recruitment and admissions for PhD programs and undergraduate study abroad programs.

    Graduate Advisor: Dr. Allison Witt

    Expected Graduation Year: 2025

    Academic Background:

    EdD (in progress) Education Policy, Organization & Leadership – Global Studies in Education – University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

    EdM Education Policy, Organization & Leadership – Global Studies in Education – University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - 2019

    B.A. International Relations – Kent State University – 2016

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-meyer-德瑞-96809447/

     

  • Kelsey W. Knutson, Ed.D Student (she/her)

    Jun 13, 2022 4:30 pm206 views

    Program of Study, Research Interests & Professional Profile:

    Kelsey Knutson is a doctoral student of Education Policy, Organization and Leadership, concentrating in Global Education and Diversity and Equity at the University of Illinois. Kelsey's continued research and studies center on inequities in access to digital learning, teacher-student relationships and the intersections of race, sexuality, and gender, grading bias in multicultural and multiracial classrooms, culturally sustaining pedagogy, and sustainable international education policy. Kelsey has recently entered the world of education consulting and is in a 6-month doctoral internship for the education sector of the U.N., specifically the Policies and Lifelong Learning Systems and Teacher Development departments, at UNESCO's headquarters in Paris. Kelsey is a full-time social studies teacher, D.E.I. facilitator and coordinator, and newly appointed travel and foreign exchange director in Phoenix.

    Advisor: Dr. Hyun-Sook Kang

    Expected Graduation: 2025

    Academic Background:

    • Ed.D., (In-progress) Global Studies; Diversity & Equity, in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership, University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
    • M.Ed., Education, Arizona State University, 2016
    • B.A., Global Studies: Human Rights & Justice; Spanish, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, 2013

    LinkedIn: /kelseyknutson or Kelsey W. Knutson's LinkedIn

  • Corinne Smith (she/her)

    Jun 9, 2022 12:30 pm334 views

    Corinne Smith is a doctoral student in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership with a concentration in Diversity and Equity in Education. Her research interests focus on the intersectional identities of rural and small-town students and the college access barriers many of them face. Corinne currently serves as an Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Yale University. Previously, she worked in undergraduation admissions as well as athletic advising at Northwestern University. Recently, Corinne co-authored a book called the College Essay Journal, which helps students brainstorm and write their college applications. 

    Advisor: Sharon Lee

    Expected Graduation: 2024

    Academic Background:

    Ed.D. (in progress) Education Policy, Organization & Leadership | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

    M.S. Higher Education Administration and Policy | Northwestern University

    B.A. Political Science and Sociology | Northwestern University

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corinnesmith13/

    Website: https://www.collegeessayjournal.com/

  • Gariel Pierce

    May 24, 2022 6:30 pm231 views

    Gariel Pierce is a doctoral student in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership with a concentration in Social Sciences and Education Policy. Her focus of research is on the school to prison pipeline with an emphasis on holistic principles and practices.

    Driven by passion and experience, Gariel believes all students deserve an equitable education in a nurturing environment. Currently she is a joyful fourth grade teacher.

    Graduate Advisor: Dr. Bernice Barnett

    Anticipated Graduation: 2026

    Academic Background:

    Ph.D., Education Policy, Organization & Leadership | University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

    M.Ed., Teaching & Learning | Francis Marion University

    B.A., Elementary Education | Blackburn College

  • Christine (Chrissy) Steffen (she/her/hers)

    May 19, 2022 2:45 pm65 views

    Chrissy is a doctoral student in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education. Her specific focus of research is on mental health and student engagement among Division I student-athletes. Chrissy currently serves as an Academic Advisor in the College of Health & Human Services at Bowling Green State University. Previously, she was an Academic Counselor in the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at Illinois for 3 years after a 2.5 year stint at the University of Wisconsin-Madison as an Academic Advisor in Athletics.

    Advisor: Dr. Denice Hood

    Anticipated Graduation: 2025

    Academic Background:

    Ph.D. (in progress), Education Policy, Organization & Leadership | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

    M.S. Recreation & Sport Management | University of Tennessee, Knoxville

    B.S. Secondary Mathematics Education | Bowling Green State University

    LinkedIn: Chrissy Steffen

  • Shamez Mukhi

    May 19, 2022 10:30 am34 views

    I am pursuing Ed.D in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership with a concentration in Diversity & Equity. My Ed.D research will focus on the role of the civil society in providing underprivileged children (in poverty) equitable access to primary education in Pakistan. I am based in Karachi and work for a private university as Director Student Life.

    Advisor: Jon Hale

    Expected Graduation: 2024

    Academic Background:

    MA. Global Diplomacy - SOAS, University of London, England

    MSc. in Computer Science - University of Kent, England

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shamez-mukhi-b5226212/ 

  • Bethanie Couri, EdD (She/Her)

    May 10, 2022 9:30 am59 views

    Bethanie Couri is a doctoral student in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership with a concentration in Human Resource Development at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Bethanie's research interest involves the increase millennial turnover rate. 

    Advisor: Dr. Jessica Li

    Expected Date of Graduation: May 2024

    Academic Background:

    MBA | Bradley University

    M.S. in Marketing | Bradley University

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethanie-couri-mba-666b25b7/

  • Paapa Nkrumah-Ababio

    May 9, 2022 1:45 pm131 views

    Paapa Nkrumah-Ababio is a doctoral student in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership with a double concentration in Global Studies in Education and Social Science and Education Policy at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Paapa's research interest lay in the intersections of education and national development in African countries centered around literacy, citizenship, human development, and educational funding issues using quantitative research methods. Paapa is an international student from Accra, Ghana and is driven in his doctoral journey by the desire to bring a world-class education to the doorstep of every African child.

    Advisor: Dr. Rebecca Hinze-Pifer

    Expected Graduation: 2025

    Academic Background:

    Ph.D. student, Education Policy, Organization & Leadership, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana Champaign

    M.S. Ed., Higher Education and Student Affairs, Baylor University, Texas

    B.S., Petroleum Engineering, Marietta College, Ohio

    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/paapa-nkrumahababio

  • Alicia L. Ross, ABD (She/hers)

    May 5, 2022 11:45 am46 views

    I am a doctoral candidate excited about the experiences I have had at UIUC. My research focuses on DEI in international education and leadership. I have presented at several conferences including NAFSA (Nat&Reg), IEI, HEI Butterfly, LINKS Incorporated. My volunteer experiences include AERA, NAFSA, IEI, UNDP, UIUC-GSC, and Alumni Club(s) of University of Chicago.

    Teaching Assistant: Communications Department-Public Speaking

    Publication: "Digital Divide In Developing Countries". GIMPA Journal, Ghana.

    Certifications: Learning Design Leadership (LDL)

    LinkedIn Profile

    Inspiring Others

  • Aidana Sirgebayeva (she), PhD Student

    May 4, 2022 11:30 pm110 views

    Aidana is a full time PhD student in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education. Her research interests focused on internationalization of universities, autonomous higher education institutes. She has worked in university settings for eight years. 

    Academic Background:

    PhD Student, Higher Education, EPOL, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 

    MSc in Educational Leadership, Nazarbayev University, Kazakhstan

    BEd., Foreign Languages, Abay Kazakh National Pedagogical University, Kazakhstan

    Advisor: Dr Rebecca Taylor

    Expected Year of Graduation: 2028

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aidanasirgebayeva-16b768135/

     

  • Kristy Krisher, EdD

    May 4, 2022 1:45 pm38 views

    Kristy is an online doctoral student in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership with a concentration in Human Resource Development. Her research areas of interest center around Career Development. She has worked in HR for eight years and has recently transitioned to a new role as the Associate Director of Employer Relations and Internship Development at Monmouth College in Monmouth, IL. 

    She is also a published author of three women's and new adult contemporary fiction novels.

    Academic Background:

    EdD, Student, Organization & Leadership, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 

    M.P.A., Public Administration, the University of Illinois at Springfield

    B.A., Psychology, Alfred University in Alfred, N.Y.

    Post-Baccalaurette Certificate, Health Services Administration, Western Illinois University

    SHRM-SCP Senior certified human resources professional

    Expected graduation year: 2023

    Links:

    LinkedIn: Kristy Krisher, MPA, SHRM-SCP - Associate Director for Employer Relations and Internship Development - Monmouth College | LinkedIn 

    Website: https://kristyleeauthor.com 

  • Kelly Searsmith, BA (English & Psychology); MA, PhD (English); EdM (Higher Education)

    May 4, 2022 11:00 am16 views

    Kelly Searsmith is a doctoral student in EPOL (Higher Education) whose advocacy research focuses on the inclusion and success of diverse people with disabilities in higher education, especially neurodiversity with a special focus on autism and mental health concerns. She is autistic and the parent of a successful autistic son. Her other research interests include incorporating humanities and creative modes of knowledge production and expression across the disciplines and the organization and ethics of research administration.

    Advisor: Bill Cope

    Member: AERA, AHEAD, NCURA

    Connections: ORCID, LinkedIn

  • Taylor Masamitsu (he/they), Ed.M.

    May 4, 2022 9:15 am161 views

    Taylor is a PhD student in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership. He studies the dislocating rhetoric that affects queer Asian American students. 

     

    PhD, Social Sciences and Education Policy, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

    EdM, Diversity and Equity in Education, Unviersity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

    MA, Vocal Music Education, Columbia University, Teachers College

    BFA, Vocal Performance, California Institute of the Arts

     

    Advisor: Dr. Yoon Pak

    Expected Year of Graduation: 2025

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-masamitsu-edm-799b6586/

    Website: taylormasamitsu.com 

    Current CV

  • Jenny Rowell, M.Ed. (she/her)

    Apr 19, 2022 1:00 pm111 views

    Jenny is an online doctoral student in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership with a concentration in Learning Design and Leadership with emphasis in e-learning in higher education. She joined the New Students Programs department at UIUC in 2022 where she supports the development of new student programming and activities. Her research interests are e-learning, cultural competence, study abroad, and learning ecologies. 

    Her previous work experience allowed her to live internationally for almost a decade. This inspired her passion for working with students to enhance their learning experiences, deepen their cultural awareness and improve their cultural competence. 

    Graduate Advisor: Dr. Bill Cope

    Expected Graduation Year: 2026

    Academic Background: 

    Ed.D. Student, Education Policy, Organization & Leadership, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 

    M.Ed., International Higher Education, Loyola University Chicago

    BBA,  Human Resources Management, Loyola University Chicago

    LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-rowell-735a2111/

     

  • Billy Green, M.Ed. (he/him/his)

    Apr 10, 2022 10:45 am48 views

    Billy is a doctoral student in the Department of Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership with a concentration in Learning Design and Leadership. His research interests include effective professional development for teachers in educational technology, effective staff support in K-12 educational technology implementation and game-based technologies.

    Billy currently works as the Director of Technology at Liberty Local Schools in Youngstown, Ohio. Prior to the Director of Technology position, he was a fourth grade teacher, also at Liberty Local Schools. 

    Graduate Advisor: Dr. Bill Cope

    Expected Graduation Year: 2024

    Academic Background:

    B.S., Early Childhood Education, Youngstown State University, 2017

    M.Ed., Learning and Technology, Western Governors University, 2018

    M.S., Special Education (K-12), Western Governors University, 2019

    LinkedIn: Profile

     

  • Jewel Bourne

    Jan 12, 2022 9:30 pm47 views

    Jewel Bourne is a doctoral student in the Department of Education Policy, Organization & Leadership with a concentration in higher education. As a former community college transfer student and Sally Casanova Scholar, her research interests revolve around the promotion of access, persistence, and empowerment of  systemically excluded student populations in higher education, with a focus on the experience of Black female-identifying students who transition from community college to four-year institutions.  

    Jewel’s professional experience include serving as an academic advisor and program coordinator and supporting historically underepresented student populations achieve their transfer ambitions through the transfer sending and receptive culture frameworks.

    Advisor: Dr. Eboni Zamani Gallaher 

    Expected Graduation: 2024 

    Educational Background

    M.A., Higher Education Leadership, California State University, Northridge

    B.A., English and Gender Studies, University of California, Los Angeles

    A.A., Liberal Arts:  Arts and Humanities; Social and Behavioral Sciences, Santa Monica College

    LinkedIn: Jewel Bourne