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EPOL Department - Student Spotlight
History of Education

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  • H. M. Kuneyl M.A.Ed.

    Jan 3, 2023 2:30 pm51 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

  • Alexander Rosado-Torres (he/him/él)

    Dec 28, 2021 2:45 pm153 views

    Alex is a doctoral student in the History of Education concentration via Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership. In addition to this he also holds a graduate minor in Queer Studies within the department of Gender & Women Studies. 
His research is rooted in documenting the role of LGBTQ+ student and teacher activism in educational spaces. Alex is particularly curious how past LGBTQ+ activism has shaped modern day educational spaces which are viewed as LGBTQ+ friendly/safe.

    As a Queer Latinx person, he is especially interested in exploring the experiences of racialized LGBTQ+ folks within these educational contexts. Overall, his research is most informed by oral history, archival methods, and critical theory.

    Advisor: Dr. Jon Hale 

    Anticipated Graduation: 2026 

    Social Media: LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

  • Christopher Getowicz (he/him/his)

    Dec 11, 2021 9:30 am247 views

    As a doctoral student at the University of Illinois in the Department of Education Policy, Organization and Leadership, my current research focuses on the historical intersections of education, race, protest, urban renewal, and law-and-order politics in the midwestern United States. 

    My recent work has focused on the intersections of race, housing, and school closure in Minneapolis, Minnesota between the 1970’s and 2000’s. My ongoing work is currently focused on the rise of law-and-order politics, school desegregation, urban renewal, and student protest during the late 1960's and early 1970's. 

    • Academic Background:
      • Ph.D. (in progress) Education Policy, Organization & Leadership, History of Education - University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
      • M.Ed. Instructional Leadership, Educational Policy Studies - University of Illinois, Chicago 
      • B.A. History - Univerity of Minnesota, Twin Cities
  • Image of Nathan Tanner

    Nathan Tanner (he/him/his)

    May 13, 2021 4:30 pm387 views

    Program of Study, Research Interests, & Advisor

    As a doctoral student in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership (EPOL) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign my research critically examines Whiteness in historic and contemporary educational contexts; I seek to document and illuminate its pernicious influence on educational opportunity structures, and the ways racially minoritized students navigate and resist oppressive educational configurations. A major focus of my research agenda is drawing educators and policymakers’ attention to the intersections in place, race, and religion on schools, past and present. I transitioned to doctoral studies and educational research after working as an ESL teacher in Tianjin, China and a public school social studies teacher in Salt Lake City, Utah.

    My advisor is Dr. Christopher M. Span.

    Expected Year of Graduation: 2023

    Professional & Educational Background

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

    • M.Ed., Educational Leadership & Policy, The University of Utah

    • B.A., History, Brigham Young University

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-tanner-a5b35439/