Congratulations LEAD Cohort 1

Join us in celebrating the first cohort of our redesigned education doctorate program, Leaders for Equity and Democracy (LEAD). Our program engages passionate, equity-conscious, practicing leaders with the theories, research design principles, operational capacities, and networks they need to effect large-scale change in education. Importantly, at the end of the three-year, transdisciplinary program, graduates leave exceptionally prepared to design liberatory educational systems. Such leaders are committed to and capable of realizing our potential as a nation — an inclusive America focused on uplifting the brilliance of its vibrant, diverse communities.

At BSE's 2024 commencement, faculty advisors hooded the graduates and shared thoughts on each graduate.

Tu Moua Carroz

"Tu Moua is many things. She is an experienced public school educator, currently helping lead the Roseville Union High School District as its assistant superintendent. She is a Hmong woman, mother, wife, daughter, and community member. She is a scholar whose dissertation research on the risk and resilience factors impacting women of color superintendents is a critical addition to the field and above all, Tu is her ancestors’ wildest dreams. They and we are so proud of you. Congratulations." Carroz was hooded by Adjunct Professor Erin Murphy-Graham and LEAD Director Lihi Rosenthal.

Monica Hall Thomas

"A key question motivates Monica's inquiring mind and warm heart: how to equip school principals to nurture effective teachers, to build school cultures that lift all students. A fresh discovery surfaced from her doctoral research: district level managers can fall short, building real and inspiring relationships with school principals, inadvertently sinking technical strategies for improving schools. Monica now returns to Oakland Unified, skilled in mentoring principals to deepen connections with teachers and kids. Go, Monica!" Thomas was hooded by Professor Bruce Fuller and LEAD Director Lihi Rosenthal.

Melissa Itzel Virrueta-Ayala

"A graduate of the LEAD program, Melissa is an equity and social justice leader. In her dissertation, she combined her training as a school psychologist and a school administrator with a disability, critical race theory lens to examine how the training of school psychologists can better prepare them for racial equity, leadership, and disrupting disproportionality. Her work is a step towards disrupting notions of difference as disability and education systems. Congratulations, Melissa." Virrueta-Ayala was hooded by Professor Frank C. Worrell and Adjunct Professor Özge Hacıfazlıoğlu

Tyler Francis Graff

"In his application to the BSE, Tyler wrote, `with the right people, culture and practices in place, we can create the educational systems that our communities deserve.' His dissertation, titled, `Untapped Potential,' elegantly details how teacher leaders balance care and complexity in their schools. Tyler's work shows us that the right people are all around, but need resources and opportunities to thrive. Congratulations, Tyler." Graff was hooded by Associate Professor Travis J. Bristol and Adjunct Professor Özge Hacıfazlıoğlu.

Mai Xi Lee

"Mai Xi, your path-breaking work merging Asian critical theory and crisis management will inform leaders in addressing racial violence and crisis and fostering inclusive learning environments, especially for AAPI communities. Beyond your academic achievements, we are always inspired by your unwavering dedication to fostering inclusive and equitable spaces and your ability to uplift and empower those in your community. It's been an inspiring journey of research and self-discover working alongside you. Congratulations." Lee was hooded by Associate Professors Chunyan Yang and Travis J. Bristol.

Kessa Early

"A principal in the Novato Unified School District, Kessa did a uniquely focused study of complexities of school and district leaders communications through the lens of classified staff. This research fills a key gap in academic literature on school leadership with its exploration of district-wide communication from the perspective of classified staff. In addition to being a full time school site administrator, Kessa completed her doctorate in LEAD while being the mother of three children. Congratulations, Kessa." Early was hooded by Professor Jabari Mahiri and Adjunct Professor Derek Van Rheenen.

nives wetzel de cediel

"nives believes that higher education leaders make a choice to either go along to get along, or to endeavor to do what is necessary to catalyze equitable interventions and repair for students, teachers, and school leaders alike. Her doctoral study in the LEAD program explores liberatory and transformative perspectives and strategies for educational leaders through systematic methods for realizing courageous and embodied arts-based teacher education development. Congratulations, nives." wetzel de cediel was hooded by Professor Jabari Mahiri and Principal Leadership Institute Director Soraya Sablo Sutton.

Olufemi Ogundele

"In January 2019, Femi was hired as assistant vice chancellor and director of undergraduate admissions at UC Berkeley. Under his leadership by 2021, Berkeley had admitted its most ethnically diverse freshman class in 30 years. This 40 percent increase is now referred to in scholarship on diversity as The Femi Effect. His doctoral study in the LEAD program extends this scholarship. It's titled, 'Cracking the Code: Chief Admissions Offices’ solutions for inclusive STEM admissions in public research universities.' Congratulations, Femi." Ogundele was hooded by Professor Jabari Mahiri and Vice Provost for Graduate Studies Lisa García Bedolla.

Samuel Santos Jr.

"Samuel's work explores the leadership journeys for queer men of color serving as community college presidents. Samuel, we appreciate your quiet efficiency, your willingness to ask questions, your reflective posture, and the ways in which you have persevered in the face of deep challenges. We know that your leadership will create more inclusive campus environments for students in higher education. Congratulations, Samuel." Santos was hooded by Associate Professor Tolani Britton and Vice Provost for Graduate Studies Lisa García Bedolla.