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Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership

Current Students

Learn about some of our current students.

Vincent Alcantar

Vincent Alcantar

He/Him/His

Face-to-Face Cohort 15: Class of 2024

  • Research Interests: Using Outside and Supplemental Funding Sources to Increase the Math Achievement and College Attainment for Central Valley Long-Term English Learners
  • Professional Role: Teacher
  • Hometown and Current Location: Porterville, CA

Amy Allen

Amy Allen

She/Her/Hers

Face-to-Face Cohort 15: Class of 2024

  • Research Interests: Engagement and support on campus for students who identify as multi-ethnic or multi-racial
  • Professional Role: Interim Associate Dean - Student Involvement at Fresno State
  • Hometown: St. John, Virgin Islands
  • Current Location: Fresno, CA

Ariana Amaro

Ariana Amaro

She/Her/Hers

Face-to-Face Cohort 16: Class of 2025

  • Research Interests: Social Emotional Learning and Teacher Sustainability
  • Professional Role: 2nd Grade Teacher
  • Hometown: Kerman, CA
  • Current Location: Fresno, CA
     

Sara Baramy Constantinescu

Sara Baramy Constantinescu

She/Her/Hers

Online Cohort 6: Class of 2024

  • Research Interests: Graduate student achievements (access and success) and higher education institutional effectiveness
  • Professional Role: Professional Services Consultant, Graduate Education Manager
  • Hometown: Huntington Beach, CA
  • Current Location: Oceanside, CA

 

Brittani Brown

Brittani Brown

She/Her/Hers

Online Cohort 8: Class of 2026

  • Professional Role: Associate Vice President of Administration at CSUSM
  • Hometown: Sacramento, CA
  • Current Location: San Marcos, CA

Edie Brown

Edie Brown

She/Her/Hers

Online Cohort 5: Class of 2023

  • Research Interests: Advising students of color in a predominantly white 4 year higher education institution, Diversity, equity and inclusion in Student Affairs with a focus on student services, How unions and universities can co-exist while serving students
  • Professional Role: Union President
  • Hometown: San Francisco, CA
  • Current Location: Santa Rosa, CA

Cynthia Cervantes

Cynthia Cervantes

She/Her/Hers

Online Cohort 6: Class of 2024

  • Research Interests: Facilities staff impact on residential students, affordable housing for students, first-gen students
  • Professional Role: Executive Director, Office of Housing Administration at San Diego State University
  • Hometown: San Lorenzo, CA
  • Current Location: San Diego, CA

Flo Cheung

Floridia (Flo) Cheung

She/Her/Hers

Online Cohort 7: Class of 2025

  • Research Interests: Qualitative Study on First Generation Students' Experiences at a Middle College High School situated at a Community College
  • Professional Role: Middle College High School Principal
  • Hometown: Hacienda Heights, CA
  • Current Location: Fresno, CA

 

Charley Clark

Charley Clark

He/Him/His

Online Cohort 6: Class of 2024

  • Research Interests: Early literacy indicators as predictors of English learner reclassification
  • Professional Role: Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services
  • Hometown and Current Location: Bakersfield, CA

Corry Colonna

Corry Colonna

He/Him/His

Online Cohort 6: Class of 2024

  • Research Interests: Mid-level Lead Staff Development Studies in student well-being to increase joy and mental thriving
  • Professional Role: Executive Director, Housing & Residential Life
  • Hometown: Punxsutawney, PA
  • Current Location: Long Beach, CA

Cherylyn Crill-Hornsby

Cherylyn Crill-Hornsby

She/Her/Hers

Face-to-Face Cohort 16: Class of 2025

  • Research Interests: Faculty experiences in implementing alternative assessment and pedagogy practices
  • Professional Role: Dean of Academic Services & Social Sciences Pathways
  • Hometown: North Fork, CA
  • Current Location: Fresno, CA

Huldah Dauid

Huldah Dauid

Face-to-Face Cohort 16: Class of 2025

  • Research Interests: Inclusive Discipline and Academic Reengagement Policy, Restorative Academic Programs for African American Students, Program Evaluation of FUSD A4 Academic Student Support program, Implicitly biased instructional practices
  • Professional Role: Chief Program Officer at Another Level Training Academy
  • Hometown: Madera, CA

 

Maricarmen Figueroa

Maricarmen Figueroa

She/Her/Hers

Online Cohort 7: Class of 2025

  • Research Interests: Parent Engagement & Hispanic Serving Institutions
  • Professional Role: Director of Student Activities at Clovis Community College
  • Hometown: Avenal, CA
  • Current Location: Clovis, CA

Diana Galvan

Diana Galvan

Online Cohort 7: Class of 2025

  • Research Interests: Family Medicine Residency Physician/Reducing Burnout and Compassion Fatigue Through Health and Wellness 
  • Professional Role: Behavioral Faculty and Wellness Instructor 
  • Hometown: San Mateo, CA
  • Current Location: Turlock, CA

Venissia Garcia

Venissia Garcia

She/Her/Hers

Face-to-Face Cohort 15 : Class of 2024

  • Research Interests: Teacher Efficacy in Supporting Students with Disabilities
  • Professional Role: Program Administrator
  • Hometown: Visalia, CA
  • Current Location: Fresno, CA

Mostafa GhousMostafa Ghous

He/Him/His
 
Online Cohort 8: Class of 2026

  • Professional Role: Dean of Academic Affairs
  • Hometown: Modesto, CA
  • Current Location: Salinas, CA

Queana Givens-Jarvis

Queana Givens-Jarvis

She/Her/Ella

Online Cohort 6: Class of 2024

  • Research Interests: Examining the Delay of Eligible Female Candidates to Peruse School Site Leadership
  • Professional Role: Elementary Principal
  • Hometown and Current Location: El Centro, CA

Larissa Goosev

Larissa Goosev

She/Her/Ella

Online Cohort 15: Class of 2024

  • Research Interests: New Teacher Attrition/New Teacher Retention 
  • Professional Role: Middle School Principal
  • Hometown and Current Location: Reedley, CA

Dana Grisby

Dana Grisby

She/Her/Hers

Online Cohort 8: Class of 2026

  • Research Interests: Educational Development and Student Success
  • Professional Role: Professor, African American Studies 
  • Hometown: Merced, CA
  • Current Location: Oakland, CA

Adrien Dai Guerra

Adrien Guerra

He/Him/His

Online Cohort 6 : Class of 2024

  • Research Interests: Latinx LGBTQ+ Students Sense of Belonging in STEM
  • Professional Role: Student Services Support Representative
  • Hometown and Current Location: Los Angeles, CA

 

Beth Harris

Beth Harris

She/Her/Hers

Online Cohort 8: Class of 2026

  • Research Interests: Economic mobility, fiduciary responsibility, school finance, equitable outcomes
  • Professional Role: Director, Educational Options & Expanded Learning
  • Hometown and Current Location: Ventura, CA

TJ Hurley

T'Nesia TJ Hurley

She/Her/Hers

Online Cohort 7: Class of 2025

  • Research Interests: Equity-focused financing and student achievement.
  • Professional Role: Assistant Superintendent of Business
  • Hometown: Oakland, CA
  • Current Location: Redding, CA

Erika Ireland

Erika Ireland

She/Her/Hers

Face-to-Face Cohort 15: Class of 2024

  • Research Interests: Educational pipeline of dietetic students in higher education
  • Professional Role: Faculty & Dietetic Internship Director
  • Hometown: Fresno, CA
  • Current Location: Clovis, CA

Bryon Jackson

Bryon Jackson

Online Cohort 8

  • Research Interests: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the university environment, bridging digital divides
  • Professional Role: Associate Vice President, Technology Solutions & Innovation
  • Hometown and Current Location: Long Beach, CA

 

Gus Leonard

Gus Leonard

He/Him/His

Online Cohort 3

  • Research Interests: Language and Culture learning; technology-enhanced learning. Dissertation Topic: Understanding Intercultural Competence in Civic Engagement/Citizenship through Photovisual Elicitation of Study Abroad Student Photoblogs
    Professional Role: CSU Monterey Bay, Language Lab Coordinator
    Hometown: Burlington, VT
    Current Location: Del Rey Oaks, CA

Adelfa Lorenzano

Adelfa Lorenzano

She/Her/Ella

Face-to-Face Cohort 17: Class of 2026

  • Research Interests: Hispanic Serving Institutions, First-Generation Students, and Dual Enrollment in the Central Valley
  • Professional Role: Director, Title V D-HSI Grant
  • Hometown: Reedley, CA
  • Current Location: Kingsburg, CA

Lupe Mendoza

Lupe Mendoza

Face-to-Face Cohort 15: Class of 2024

  • Research Interests: Culturally relevant and age-appropriate pedagogy in dual enrollment.
  • Professional Role: High School Vice Principal
  • Hometown: Dos Palos, CA
  • Current Location: Clovis, CA

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Tasneem Mohamed

Online Cohort 5

  • Professional Role: Academic Advisor
  • Hometown: Oakland, CA
  • Current Location: Marina, CA

 

Lena Nelson

Lena Nelson

She/Her/Hers

Online Cohort 8: Class of 2026

  • Research Interests: ESL student pathways in a community college setting. Equity and access for Adult Education ESL students transitioning to post-secondary education.
  • Professional Role: Assistant Professor, ESL, Adult Education
  • Current Location: Riverside, CA

Mary Nguyen

Mary Nguyen

She/Her/Hers

Online Cohort 8: Class of 2026

  • Research Interests: Mental health, disability, accessibility, technology, universal design
  • Professional Role: Director, Bob Murphy Access Center
  • Hometown: Huntington Beach, CA
  • Current Location: Garden Grove, CA

Roy Orosco

Roy Orosco

Face-to-Face Cohort 15: Class of 2024

  • Research Interests: Special Education Teacher Burnout MTSS Systems and Development
  • Professional Role: Assistant Principal
  • Hometown: Dinuba, CA
  • Current Location: Visalia, CA

Estevan Parra Guerrero

Estevan Parra Guerrero

He/Him/His

Face-to-Face Cohort 16: Class of 2025

  • Research Interests: First Generation Latinx Staff, sense of belonging at Hispanic Serving Institutions
  • Professional Role: Director
  • Hometown: South Central Los Angeles, CA
  • Current Location: Fresno, CA

 

Edgar Parilla

Edgar Parrilla

He/Him/His

Face-to-Face Cohort 15: Class of 2024

  • Research Interests: The impact on recidivism for Formerly Incarcerated Latino Men (FILM) who participate in higher education programs.
  • Professional Role: Business Administration Faculty
  • Hometown: Woodlake, CA
  • Current Location: Visalia, CA

Raquel Piña-Holmstrom

Raquel Piña-Holmstrom

She/Her/Hers

Online Cohort 6: Class of 2024

  • Research Interests: HSI servingness - Latinx faculty and staff retention
  • Professional Role: Assistant to IDEA, Research, and Grants
  • Hometown and Current Location: Oroville, CA

Liz Reed

Liz Reed

Online Cohort 8: Class of 2026

  • Research Interests: Student Success & Retention in Higher Education, Identifying and Supporting Parenting Students, Co-Curricular Pathways and Work Integrated Learning, eAdvising
  • Professional Role: Assistant Director, Enrollment Management Technology CSU Chancellor's Office
  • Hometown: Port Moody, British Columbia, Canada
  • Current Location: Cypress, CA

Angelica Rodriguez

Angelica Rodriguez

She/Her/Ella
 
Online Cohort 8: Class of 2026

  • Research Interests: Marginalized Students, Community Colleges, Transfer, Latino/a/x Students, First Gen. Faculty
  • Professional Role: Counselor/Instructor
  • Current Location: Ventura County, CA

 

Gretchen Monke

Gretchen Ruch

She/Her/Hers

Face-to-Face Cohort 15: Class of 2024

  • Research Interests: Camp Counseling & Teacher Self-Efficacy/Relational Efficacy
  • Professional Role: Assistant Camp Director
  • Current Location: Kingsburg, CA

Jolene Sagan

Jolene Sagan

She/Her/Hers

Online Cohort 6: Class of 2024

  • Research Interests: Women, time poverty, parents, caregivers, higher education, and student affairs.
  • Professional Role: Clinical Instructor of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences - LCSW Case Manager
  • Hometown: Westwood, CA
  • Current Location: Long Beach, CA 

Yadi Sanchez

Yadi Sanchez

Online Cohort 5

  • Professional Role: Manager of Outreach and Academic Services
  • Hometown: Fort Bragg, CA

Jonathan M. Smith

Jonathan M. Smith

He/Him/His

Online Cohort 7: Class of 2025

  • Research Interests: Undergraduate interdisciplinary maker education pedagogies; Interventions to improve diversity of university students in STEM majors
  • Professional Role: Interim Senior Director, University Library at Sonoma State University
  • Current Location: Santa Rosa, CA

 

Thatcher Weldon

Thatcher Weldon

Online Cohort 7: Class of 2025

  • Research Interests: K-12 success connection to adult education program success
  • Professional Role: Director of Adult Education at Kern Community College District
  • Hometown: Fresno, CA
  • Current Location: Burbank, CA

Michael Williamson

Michael Williamson

He/Him/His

Face-to-Face Cohort 15: Class of 2024

  • Research Interests: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) and secondary trauma in teachers and administrators
  • Professional Role: Teacher
  • Hometown: Fresno, CA
  • Current Location: Clovis, CA
Ia Xiong

Ia Xiong 

Face-to-Face Cohort 15: Class of 2024

  • Research Interests: AsianCrit and males in community college
  • Professional Role: Adjunct Counselor
  • Hometown and Current Location: Fresno, CA

Laura Yager

Laura Yager

She/Her/Hers

Face-to-Face Cohort 17: Class of 2026

  • Research Interests: Post-covid policies and their impact on student success
  • Professional Role: University Registrar
  • Hometown: Modesto, CA
  • Current Location: Fresno, CA

 

Khou Yang-Vigil

Khou Yang-Vigil

She/Her/Hers

Online Cohort 7: Class of 2025

  • Research Interests: Mental health, Advocacy and support for underserved at-promise students in Higher Education, AsianCrit - particularly Southeast Asians in Higher Education, Culture and Leadership
  • Professional Role: Director of Equity and Access Programs
  • Hometown and Current Location: Santa Rosa, California