Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership

Meet Some of Our Currently Enrolled Students

Kristina Barger

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

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

Eve Castellanos

Face-to-Face Cohort 11: Class of 2020

Research Interests: Female Leadership in Higher Education, Women of Color as Administrators in Higher Education, Resiliency in Leadership Program Evaluation
Professional Role: Program Coordinator
Hometown: Sanger, CA

My Kou Chang

Online Cohort 3: Class of 2021

Research Interests: Hmong Men in the High School Counseling Profession
Professional Role: High School & Community College Counselor
Hometown: Porterville, CA
Current Location: Sanger, 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

Brittany Clason

Face-to-Face Cohort 12: Class of 2021

Research Interests: Student self-efficacy in higher education
Professional Role: Clinical education coordinator for Fresno State’s Athletic Training Program
Hometown: Clovis, CA

AmyK Conley

Online Cohort 3: Class of 2021

Research Interests: Literacy and equity issues, social-emotional learning and problem-solving to decrease exclusionary disciplinary practices, distance learning and educational technology;
Professional Role: Instructional coach at Fortuna High, Instructor in credential programs at Humboldt State University
Hometown and Current Location: Fortuna, CA

Ariel Davis

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

Jennifer J Enns

Face-to-Face Cohort 12: Class of 2021

Research Interests: Research Interests: Educational and Organizational Psychology, Organizational Leadership, asset-based approaches that empower individuals and organizations, Teacher Retention
Professional Role: Executive Leadership Coach, CSI (Office of the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools)
Hometown: Merced, CA
Current Location: Clovis, CA

Eleanor Esquada

Eleanor M Esquada

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

Nathan Evans

Online Cohort 3: Class of 2021

Research Interests: College promise programs, postsecondary access and completion, educational equity
Professional Role: Chief of Staff & Senior Advisor for Academic and Student Affairs, CSU Office of the Chancellor
Hometown: Spencer, WV
Current Location: Irvine, CA

Jen Evans

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

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Corinne Folmer

Face-to-Face Cohort 12: Class of 2021

Research Interests: Human resources and teacher retention
Professional Role: P-12 Administrator
Current Location: Sanger, CA

Rashonne Founts-Saenz

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

Nick Fuentes

Online Cohort 2: Class of 2021

Research Interests: Adult learning, continuing education, lifelong learning, education for healthy aging. I am researching lifelong learning programs and the older adult students that attend them. I am seeking to identify barriers that prevent older adults from participating and help programs create a more welcoming and enjoyable environment for a much more diverse audience.
Professional Role: Seeking my next adventure
Hometown: Ventura, CA

Danielle Gamez

Online Cohort 3: Class of 2021

Research Interests: Dissertation: The lived experiences of students in schools while navigating homelessness
Professional Role: District Enrollment Manager
Hometown: Saginaw, MI
Current Location: Port Hueneme, CA

Angelica Gil

Face-to-Face Cohort 12: Class of 2021

Research Interests: College & Career Readiness, Career Counseling; Dissertation Topic: Intersectionality in HE Among First-Gen. Latinx Students
Professional Role: Career Counselor
Hometown: Fresno, CA

Anayali Gomez-Navarro

Anayeli Gomez-Navarro

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

Lydia Gonzalez

Face-to Face Cohort 13: Class of 2022

Research Interests: Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices
Professional Role: AP Psychology Educator
Hometown: Reedley, CA

Hank Gutierrez

Online Cohort 3: Class of 2021

Dissertation: The Enactment of Culturally Responsive Pedagogy: A Case Study of Two Schools
Professional Role: Deputy Superintendent, FCSS
Current Location: Fowler, CA

Omar Gutierrez

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

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

Belinda Hammond

Online Cohort 3: Class of 2021

Dissertation: Development and implementation of virtual child life community practicum experiences.
Professional Role: Lecturer
Hometown: Van Nuys, CA
Current Location: Lompoc, CA

Amie Hammond

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

Esra Hashem

Face-to-Face Cohort 12: Class of 2021

Research Interests: Critical discourse analysis in higher education media
Professional Role: Director of Marketing and Communications at California State University, Bakersfield
Hometown: Fresno, CA
Current Location: Bakersfield, CA

Doreen Hatcher

Online Cohort 3: Class of 2021

Research Interests: Gendered Racial Experiences of Black Women Attending Hispanic-Serving Institutions
Professional Role: Director, Student Transition & Engagement Programs
Hometown: El Paso, TX
Current Location: Moorpark, CA

Debi Hill

Online Cohort 3: Class of 2021

Research Interests: Shifting the culture of rape on college campuses
Professional Role: Associate Vice President Equity & Transition - Student Affairs
Hometown: Visalia, CA
Current Location: Arroyo Grande, CA

Rafael Iniguez

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

Gus Leonard

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

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Sierra Lewis

Online Cohort 5: Class of 2023

Professional Role: Associate Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships
Hometown: Boise, ID

Cyndie Luna

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

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

Kenzie Major

Online Cohort 4: Class of 2022

Research Interests: Culturally Responsive Literature and Teaching
Professional Role: Teacher
Hometown and Current Location: San Jose, CA

Jose Maldonado

José A Maldonado

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

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: Class of 2020

Research Interests: Social justice in higher education
Professional Role: Director of Special Grants Project – Title V, West Hills College Lemoore
Hometown: Riverdale, CA

Kymbee Mckay

Kymbee McKay

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

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Tasneem Mohamed

Online Cohort 5: Class of 2023

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

Oronne Nwaneri

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

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

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

Stephanie Sandoval Peoples

Online Cohort 3: Class of 2021

Research Interests: Social Justice in Education,Organizational Psychology and Educational Technology
Professional Role: Child and Family Education Instructor at Antelope Valley College
Hometown: Yorba Linda, CA
Current Location: Stevenson Ranch, CA

Kara Perkins

Online Cohort 3: Class of 2021

Research Interests: Financial Aid, Retention and Graduation at the CSU
Professional Role: Associate Vice President, Budget & Administration - CSU Long Beach
Hometown: Kennewick, WA
Current Location: Long Beach, CA

Cynthia Rodriguez

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

Sam Rodriguez

Online Cohort 3: Class of 2021

Research Interests: Examining the Lived Experiences of California Hispanic Agriculture Teachers
Professional Role: Agriculture Business Instructor, Reedley/Madera College
Hometown: Wasco, CA
Current Location: Hanford, CA

Steve Ross

Online Cohort 3: Class of 2021

Research Interests: Job Satisfaction of Residence Hall Directors
Professional Role: Graduate Program Coordinator
Hometown and Current Location: Sacramento, CA

Yadi Sanchez

Online Cohort 5: Class of 2023

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

Adriana Scherrer

Andriana Scherrer

Face-to-Face Cohort 12: Class of 2021

Research Interests: Instructional Coaching, New Teachers, Cultural Proficiency
Professional Role: Site administrator
Hometown: Fresno, CA
Current Location: Sanger, CA

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Soki Siv

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

Sara Soria

Face-to-Face Cohort 11: Class of 2020

Research Interests: Academic achievement of Mexican American high school boys and the impact of parents and schools
Professional Role: Assistant Principal at Granite Hills High School, Porterville USD
Hometown: Exeter, CA

Khat Assil Tarvirdian

Online Cohort 3: Class of 2021

Research Interests: Afghan Americans, Critical Race Theory, Diversity and Identity, Gender Issues, Assessment, testing and measurement, Intersectionality Higher Education, International and Comparative Education, Research Methods, Sociology navigating U.S. education, Immigrants and Immigration, Data Sciences, Educational Policy, Diversity and Identity, South Asian Americans
Professional Role: Assessment & Evaluation Analyst
Hometown: Kabul, Afghanistan
Current Location: Simi Valley, CA

Cruz Madrigal Trejo

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

John Williams

Face-to-Face Cohort 12: Class of 2021

Research Interests: CTE/Agriculture Education; Dissertation: Role Agriculture Education has on a Students Decision to Earn a College Degree
Professional Role: Full Time Lecturer CSU, Fresno. Part time instructor, Reedley College
Hometown: Los Alamos, CA
Current Location: Clovis, CA

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Jerry Vang

Face-to-Face Cohort 11: Class of 2020
Research Interests: Mindset Self-Efficacy
Professional Role: Teacher
Hometown: 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