Travis J. Bristol is an associate professor of teacher education and education policy in Berkeley’s School of Education and (by courtesy) the Department of African American Studies. He is also the faculty director of the Center for Research on Expanding Educational Opportunity. Before joining Berkeley's faculty, he was a Peter Paul Assistant Professor at Boston University. Using qualitative methods, Dr. Bristol explores three...
Ankita Rakhe (she/her) is a doctoral student in Cohort 2 of the Leaders in Equity and Democracy program. She has been a Student Affairs practitioner for 20 years with a deep investment in diversity, equity and inclusion advocacy; conflict mediation; and leadership coaching, all with a holistic focus of belonging. She has previously worked at The Ohio State University; Trinity University (San Antonio, Texas; and Santa Clara University. She currently works at Stanford University as the Assistant Dean for Student Support & Director for Special Projects. She is a Strengths Certified Coach...
Mai Xi Lee began her journey in the Leaders for Equity and Democracy (LEAD) program at Berkeley School of Education in the summer of 2021.
She has served in K-12 school school systems in a variety of roles, including bilingual paraeducator; elementary teacher; high school counselor and administrator; and district administrator. She currently serves as the Social Emotional Learning Director for the Sacramento County Office of Education, where she leads a statewide effort to implement equity-centered SEL in all counties. She firmly believes that democracy and equity thrive when people...
Malcolm Norrington is a lifelong, holistic, systems thinker with experience as an administrator (vice principal and summer school principal, 2019–2023) at Foothill High School in Pleasanton, California.
Malcolm is currently the principal at El Cerrito Senior High School (2023–present) in the West Contra Costa Unified School District. As an administrator, there is no responsibility that he has not performed. He has been a teacher, child nutrition services worker, custodian, and security. Malcolm understands the importance of doing the work of those you support and does whatever is...
Sara Stone has committed her 28 year career in education to creating equitable, welcoming, and joyful experiences for every child. She works collaboratively to produce safe, engaging, and rigorous learning environments where all students are able to thrive. Ms. Stone currently works as the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning with Ravenswood School District.
Ms. Stone began her career as an educator in Redwood City where she worked for 7 years as a 5th and 7th grade teacher. She moved into a leadership position with Oakland Unified School District as a design team...
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...
Monica Thomas is a doctoral candidate in Cohort 1 of the Leadership for Equity and Democracy (LEAD) program in the UC Berkeley School of Education. Her research interests include school improvement and central office reform and the role local politics and community engagement play in impacting effective policy implementation.
Monica has been a long time leader in the Oakland Unified School District, serving as the founding principal of Greenleaf TK-8 as well as a Network Superintendent, where she supervised seventeen schools primarily in East Oakland. Monica currently...
Samuel Santos Jr. [he/him/his], began his journey in UC Berkeley’s educational doctorate, Leaders for Equity and Democracy (LEAD), in 2021.
He is a student affairs practitioner with nearly two decades of experience in post-secondary settings. Passionate about equity, access, and the joy of supporting adult learners, Samuel has held a wide array of leadership roles in student affairs and services spanning both two and four year colleges, including: the University of California, San Diego, the University of California, Santa Barbara, City College of San Francisco, the...
Olufemi “Femi” Ogundele (he/him/his) became a doctoral student in UC Berkeley's educational doctorate, Leaders for Equity and Democracy (LEAD) in 2021. In his capacity as Associate Vice Chancellor of Admissions & Enrollment at Berkeley, Femi provides vision, strategy and leadership in the recruitment and evaluation at the University of California's flagship campus. He is a member of the Chancellor's Cabinet and oversees the Office of Undergraduate Admission, the Financial Aid Office, the Registrar, the Center for Educational Partnerships, and the Visitor's Center. His vision and...
Jabari Mahiri is a Professor in the Berkeley School of Education and the William and Mary Jane Brinton Family Chair in Urban Education. He is Faculty Director of Leadership Programs, Chair of the Leadership Board for the 21st Century California State Leadership Academies, Faculty Advisor for the Bay Area Writing Project, and a Board Member and Chair of the Governance Committee of the National Writing Project.
Professor Mahiri's forthcoming book is entitled "Equity Conscious Leaders: Educating for an Anti-Racist World. He also is author of Deconstructing Race: Multicultural...
