blog posts

• Ramon Morgan

  Oct 23, 2025 5:00 pm5 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/

• Minjoo Chong, PhD (She/Her)

  Jun 17, 2024 10:15 am126 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  

• Gariel Pierce

  May 24, 2022 6:30 pm277 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

• Paapa Nkrumah-Ababio

  May 9, 2022 1:45 pm170 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

• 

  Anna Barkley

  Dec 9, 2021 10:15 am313 views

  Anna Barkley is a doctoral student in the department of Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership. Her research interests include the P-16 pipeline, college access, and transitions. Currently, she is interested in student-centered development of college readiness policy.

  Advisor: Dr. Adrienne Dixson

  Anticipated Graduation: 2025

  Academic Background

  • PhD, Education Policy, Organization & Leadership, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
    • Concentration: Social Sciences & Education Policy
  • EdM, Education Policy, Organization & Leadership, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
    • Concentration: Social Sciences & Education Policy 
  • BME, Choral Music Education, Winthrop University

  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/anna-barkley-77b219226/