Graduate Student

Alexandrea Creer Kahn

Alexandrea Creer Kahn began her journey as a doctoral student in the Berkeley School of Education's Leaders for Equity and Democracy (LEAD) in 2023. Alexandrea's research areas of focus include equity within teacher education, teacher residencies, and identity affirming teacher education programming for teachers of color.

Alexandrea has led a career focusing on educational equity and justice through several roles in K–12 and higher ed including teacher; principal; district leader; and lecturer for Stanford University's STEP Program. Recent co-authored publications from Alexandrea...

Kyla Kemble

Kyla Kemble (she/her) is a PhD student in the 2021 cohort of the School Psychology program, under the advisement of Dr. Frank C. Worrell. A New Jersey native, she received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology Honors at Seton Hall University in 2021.

Kyla’s current research focuses on establishing and maintaining culturally responsive practices in classrooms, consultation and collaboration with teachers, and implicit biases in education. Kyla works as a Graduate Student Researcher in Dr. Michelle Wilkerson's CoRE Lab on the Writing Data Stories Project. She has a passion for mentoring...

Emely Lugo

Emely N. Lugo (she/ella) is a first-year doctoral student in the School Psychology Program at UC Berkeley's School of Education (BSE).

Before joining BSE, Emely pursued her studies in Psychology and Child Development at California State University, San Bernardino. Her research investigated the efficacy of computerized cognitive training in supporting the development of critical cognitive functions such as working memory, cognitive flexibility, and processing speed, which are vital for academic success. She also explored the role of motivation in the effectiveness of cognitive...

Jose Aguilar

Jose R. Aguilar Jr. is an enthusiastic and driven scholar educator, bringing a wealth of experience and a reliable commitment to addressing systemic issues in education. Born out of his personal experiences as a first-generation college student and a keen observer of the challenges faced by underrepresented communities, Jose has dedicated his career to dismantling the barriers that hinder the educational aspirations of young men of color.

Jose's teaching experience further underscores his commitment to building inclusive and engaging educational climates. As a Computer Science and...

Zohal Shah

Zohal is a doctoral student in Berkeley's Learning Sciences and Human Development program. She fervently believes in including learners, practitioners, and community voices in research design and development. Through a collaborative approach, she aspires to understand how youth develop critical data and digital literacies through social and civic online engagement.

Most recently, Zohal was listed as a member of the 30 under 30 cohort for 2023 in learning leadership by the Learning Guild. Zohal has also supported research at Digital Promise, the Learning, Innovation, and Technology...

Ekene Azuka

Ekene Azuka is a PhD student in the School Psychology Program within the Berkeley School of Education (BSE). Prior to joining the BSE, Ekene received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Cognitive Studies and Psychology from Vanderbilt University's Peabody College in 2021.

As a graduate student, Ekene hopes to explore academic achievement for children who have experienced maltreatment, as well as trauma informed practices in the K-12 education system. In her free time, Ekene enjoys spending time with friends and dissecting the meaning behind television series and movies.

...

Nathaly Santos

Nathaly Santos is a doctoral student within the Policy, Politics, and Leadership cluster at the Berkeley School of Education. Her broad research interests include equity and justice in higher education through an organizational lens, with a more specific focus on the Latinx student experience and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs).

These days, Nathaly is interested in exploring how individual and institutional factors can affect Latinx and minoritized student outcomes, as well as how those factors influence systemic policies and practices that seek to advance student success rates...

Shartresa Nixon

Shartresa is currently the Literacy TSA and AVID site coordinator at United for Success Academy. Ms. Nixon also facilitates the second Wednesday professional development for middle school reading intervention teachers in the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD). She is an OUSD 2022–23 Teacher of the Year, and co-founder and advisor for the Black Student Union, in which all students — Black and non-Black students of all grade levels — can learn about and celebrate the accomplishments of African-Americans.

Keldon Clegg

Keldon Clegg is a Master's degree candidate in the 23rd cohort of the Principal Leadership Institute program at UC Berkeley's School of Education. His academic interests in education include digital privacy, media literacy, and community engagement.

Keldon currently serves as a leader at Berkeley High School working as the Co-Coordinator of Professional Development, an EdTech Teacher on Special Assignment, and humanities teacher. Over his 12 years at BHS, he has also served as the International Baccalaureate Coordinator, WASC Coordinator, and Secondary Constructing Meaning Trainer...

Tamar Sberlo

Tamar is a Peer Resources Teacher and Program Coordinator at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Academic Middle School in the Portola neighborhood in San Francisco. She is working toward her Administrative Credential through Berkeley's Principal Leadership Institute in the hopes of becoming a school leader. She grew up in San Francisco where she currently lives with her partner and their two young children. Her passions include youth agency, belonging, and community change-making toward a more just world.