Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership
Current Students
Meet Some of Our Currently Enrolled Students
Lydia Alaniz-Gonzalez
She/Her/Hers
Face-to Face Cohort 13: Class of 2022
- Dissertation: Factors that Influence Latinx High School Graduates in Obtaining a College Degree
- Research Interests: Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices
- Professional Role: AP Psychology Educator
- Hometown: Reedley, CA
- Current Location: Clovis, CA
Vincent Alcantar
He/Him/His
Face-to-Face Cohort 15: Class of 2024
- Research Interests: School improvement and instructional leadership, Latinx school leaders
- Professional Role: High School Math Teacher
- Hometown and Current Location: Porterville, CA
Amy Allen
She/Her/Hers
Face-to-Face Cohort 15: Class of 2024
- Professional Role: Associate Director - Student Involvement at Fresno State
- Hometown: St. John, Virgin Islands
- Current Location: Fresno, CA
Sara Baramy Constantinescu
She/Her/Hers
Online Cohort 6: Class of 2024
- Research Interests: Hispanic/Latinos in Higher Education, South East Asians in Higher Education, Pathway Programs, Undergraduate Student Research Programs, Student:Faculty Mentorships, Faculty and Staff of Color Experiences in Higher Education, Organizational Theory in Higher Education
- Professional Role: Graduate Studies Coordinator
- Hometown: Huntington Beach, CA
- Current Location: Oceanside, CA
Kristina Barger
She/Her/Hers
Online Cohort 4: Class of 2022
- Research Interests: White Supremacy in Higher Education
- Professional Role: VISTA Program Manager, CSU Chancellor's Office
- Hometown: Livermore, CA
- Current Location: Long Beach, CA
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
Elissa Caruth
She/Her/Hers
Online Cohort 4: Class of 2022
- Professional Role: Department Chair, Professor of English
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
Brian Childs
He/Him/His
Online Cohort 4: Class of 2022
- Research Interests: International student experiences with oppression
- Professional Role: Director - International Student & Scholar Services, CSU Monterey Bay
- Hometown: Canton, OH
- Current Location: Marina, CA
Jennifer Chinander
Online Cohort 4: Class of 2022
- Research Interests: Equity, Connection between behavior and engagement, Achievement Gap and English Learners
- Professional Role: Assistant Principal
- Hometown: Clovis, CA
- Current Location: Santa Margarita, CA
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
Ariel Davis
She/Her/Hers
Online Cohort 4: Class of 2022
- Research Interests: First-generation college students, Black and underrepresented students, underresourced students, colorism, misogynoir and dismantling systems of oppression
- Professional Role: Coordinator, Outreach and Relations with Schools
- Hometown: Wilmer, LA
- Current Location: San Bernardino, CA
Eleanor M Esquada
She/Her/Hers
Face-to-Face Cohort 14: Class of 2023
- Research Interests: Early Childhood Education, Equity and Access to programs and SEAL support
- Professional Role: General Ed Teacher, Kindergarten
- Hometown and Current Location: Fresno, CA
Jen Evans
She/Her/Hers
Online Cohort 4: Class of 2022
- Dissertation: Dissenting in Educational Practice: An Evaluation of Free Speech and its Limitations Among Educators
- Professional Role: 5th grade teacher
- Current Location: Arroyo Grande, CA
Rashonne Founts-Saenz
She/Her/Hers
Online Cohort 4: Class of 2022
- Research Interests: First Year Student Success, Transitional summer programs that support first year students
- Professional Role: Educational Opportunity Program Academic Advisor, Summer Bridge Program Coordinator, Lecturer, Multidisciplinary Studies at Stanislaw State University
- Hometown and Current Location: Manteca, CA
Anayeli Gomez-Navarro
She/Her/Hers
Online Cohort 4: Class of 2022
- Research Interests: Women Leaders, Underrepresented Minorities, First Generation College Students, Latinas in Higher Education
- Professional Role: Academic Advisor
- Hometowns: Mexico City & Arvin, CA
- Current Location: Bakersfield, CA
Omar Gutierrez
He/Him/His
Face-to-Face Cohort 14: Class of 2023
- Research Interests: Budget, finance and full impact on students access
- Professional Role: VP Administrative Services
- Current Location: Visalia, CA
Andrea Hall-Cuccia
She/Her/Hers
Face-to-Face Cohort 14: Class of 2023
- Research Interests: Academic factors impacting time to graduation at California Community Colleges (major switching, academic load, summer sessions, DFW, math/writing placement, total credits), particularly pre- and post- AB705 and Guided Pathways
- Professional Role: Institutional Researcher, UC Merced
- Hometown and Current Location: Merced, CA
Amie Hammond
She/Her/Hers
Online Cohort 4: Class of 2022
- Dissertation: Work Values, Organizational Change, White Supremacy and Systems of Oppression within Organizations, Career Development
- Professional Role: Associate Director of Career Counseling and Education, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
- Hometown: Palo Alto, CA
- Current Location: Paso Robles, CA
T'Nesia TJ Hurley
She/Her/Hers
Online Cohort 6: Class of 2024
- Research Interests: Equity focused financing and student achievement.
- Professional Role: Assistant Superintendent of Business
- Hometown: Oakland, CA
- Current Location: Redding, CA
Rafael Iniguez
He/Him/His
Face-to-Face Cohort 13: Class of 2022
- Research Interests: Career Technical Education, Mindfulness, Dual Enrollment, first-generation students, migrant students, Latinx students
- Professional Role: Career Technical Education Coordinator
- Hometown: Parlier, CA
- Current Location: Fresno, CA
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
Gus Leonard
He/Him/His
Online Cohort 3: Class of 2021
- 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
Sierra Lewis
Online Cohort 5: Class of 2023
- Professional Role: Associate Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships
- Hometown: Boise, ID
Cyndie Luna
She/Her/Hers
Face-to-Face Cohort 13: Class of 2022
- Research Interests: The impact of culturally-competent teacher immediacy on disproportionately impacted students
- Professional Role: Dean, Fine, Performing and Communication Arts, Fresno City College
- Hometown: Simi Valley, CA
- Current Location: Fresno, CA
Aaron Luna
He/Him/His
Face-to-Face Cohort 13: Class of 2022
- Research Interests: Effects of music education on academic achievement, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic; Student social and emotional outcomes that are influenced by instrumental music
- Professional Role: Band Teacher & Adjunct Professor
- Hometown and Current Location: Selma, CA
Cruz Madrigal Trejo
She/Her/Hers
Face-to-Face Cohort 14: Class of 2023
- Research Interests: Success of migrant students in higher education, Early Childhood Education and the importance of SEL
- Professional Role: School Psychologist
- Hometown and Current Location: Madera, CA
Kenzie Major
She/Her/Hers
Online Cohort 4: Class of 2022
- Research Interests: Culturally Responsive Literature and Teaching
- Professional Role: Teacher
- Hometown and Current Location: San Jose, CA
José A Maldonado
He/Him/His
Online Cohort 5: Class of 2023
- Research Interests: Undocu Students, Transfer Success, Student Resources, Collaboration Between Community and Campus, Connecting Students to Opportunity
- Professional Role: Full-time faculty
- Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
- Current Location: Ventura, CA
Monica Malhotra
She/Her/Hers
Online Cohort 4: Class of 2022
- Research Interests: Women Leaders in Higher Education: Surviving at the Top and Shaping Bold leadership
- Professional Role: Director, Strategic Analytics
- Hometown and Current Location: La-Palma, CA
Ricardo Marmolejo
Cohort 11
- Research Interests: Social justice in higher education
- Professional Role: Director of Special Grants Project – Title V, West Hills College Lemoore
- Hometown: Riverdale, CA
Tracey Mayfield
She/Her/Hers
Online Cohort 4: Class of 2022
- Research Interests: Women leaders in higher education with a focus on women of color; Ethical uses of information in higher education (including intellectual property, copyright, open educational resources, etc.)
- Professional Role: Associate Dean, University Library, California State University, Long Beach
- Hometown and Current Location: Anaheim Hills, CA
Kymbee McKay
She/Her/Hers
Online Cohort 5: Class of 2023
- Research Interests: Home/school connections for elementary students; best teaching practices in primary classrooms
- Professional Role: Teacher
- Hometown: Amherst, TX
- Current Location: Valley Center, CA
Lupe Mendoza
Face-to-Face Cohort 15: Class of 2024
- Research Interests: Impact of dual enrollment in Latinx community; Latinas in leadership roles in higher eduction
- Professional Role: High School Vice Principal
- Hometown: Dos Palos, CA
- Current Location: Clovis, CA
Tasneem Mohamed
Online Cohort 5: Class of 2023
- Professional Role: Academic Advisor
- Hometown: Oakland, CA
- Current Location: Marina, CA
Gretchen Monke
She/Her/Hers
Face-to-Face Cohort 15: Class of 2024
- Research Interests: Using YA literature to discuss contemporary social justice issues and build academic discussion skills, Positive psychology in education, Building positive teacher-student and peer relationships to support students academically and emotionally
- Professional Role: English Teacher
- Current Location: Clovis, CA
'
Oronne Nwaneri
She/Her/Hers
Online Cohort 5: Class of 2023
- Research Interests: Black Student Success, Experiences of Black International Students, Affects of COVID on low income college and university students
- Professional Role: Director, Upward Bound Programs, Pasadena City College
- Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
- Current Location: Pasadena, CA
Monica Ocampo
She/Her/Hers
Online Cohort 4: Class of 2022
- Research Interests: First-gen students, Latinx students, HSIs, first-gen professionals, college access (outreach), student-parents
- Professional Role: University Culture Pathways Activity Director, CSU Channel Islands
- Hometown and Current Location: Oxnard, CA
Michael Ornelas
He/Him/His
Face-to-Face Cohort 13: Class of 2022
- Research Interests: Stigma and Impact of Career and Tecnical Education on minority groups
- Professional Role: Manufacturing Technology Instructor
- Hometown: Visalia, CA
- Current Location: Kingsburg, CA
Cindy Osuna Monroy
She/Her/Hers
Face-to-Face Cohort 13: Class of 2022
- Research Interests: First-generation, Social Emotional Learning, Policy & Practice, Disenfranchised & Marginalized populations, Systemic Inequities
- Professional Role: Principal
- Hometown and Current Location: Visalia, CA
Edgar Parilla
He/Him/His
Face-to-Face Cohort 15: Class of 2024
- Research Interests: The impact inmate education has on the Latino male population in our community. Finding correlations between this inmate education population and recidivism.
- Professional Role: Grants and Research Analyst
- Hometown and Current Location: Visalia, CA
George Rodriguez
He/Him/His
Face-to-Face Cohort 15: Class of 2024
- Research Interests: Superintendent longevity and school district success
- Professional Role: Director of Educational Services
- Hometown: Selma, CA
- Current Location: Kingsburg, CA
Cynthia Rodriguez
She/Her/Hers
Online Cohort 5: Class of 2023
- Research Interests: Providing access to culturally relevant social-emotional learning opportunities as well as making the educational space more equitable for all students.
- Professional Role: School Counselor
- Hometown: Reedley, CA
- Current Location: King City, CA
Jolene Sagan
She/Her/Hers
Online Cohort 6: Class of 2024
- Professional Role: Case Manager
- Hometown: Westwood, CA
- Current Location: Long Beach, CA
Saul Salinas
He/Him/His
Face-to-Face Cohort 13: Class of 2022
- Research Interests: Research Interest: Critical Race Theory, LatCrit Theory, Multicultural Organizational Development, Organizational Theory, and Program/ Policy Evaluation; Dissertation Topic: Mexican American/ Chicano higher educational achievement in a marginalized community
- Professional Role: Coordinator Community Relations, Clovis Unified School District
- Hometown and Current Location: Fresno, CA
Yadi Sanchez
Online Cohort 5: Class of 2023
- Professional Role: Manager of Outreach and Academic Services
- Hometown: Fort Bragg, CA
Soki Siv
She/Her/Hers
Face-to-Face Cohort 13: Class of 2022
- Research Interests: Academic Achievement in PK-12
- Professional Role: Principal
- Hometown and Current Location: Fresno, CA
Mike Snell
Face-to-Face Cohort 14: Class of 2023
- Research Interests: Exploring youth workers in expanded learning programs and the role they play in teacher quantity, quality and diversity
- Professional Role: CEO
- Hometown: Fresno, CA
- Current Location: Sanger, CA
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
Ko Yang
Face-to-Face Cohort 13: Class of 2022
- Research Interests: Hmong Women in Leadership within Higher Education
- Professional Role: Supplemental Instruction Assistant Coordinator
- Hometown and Current Location: Fresno, CA