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EPOL Department - Student Spotlight
Social Science & Education Policy

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    Anna Barkley

    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/

  • Gariel Pierce

    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

  • Minjoo Chong, PhD (She/Her)

    • 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  
  • Paapa Nkrumah-Ababio

    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