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Ryan Bueckendorf, Executive Committee Vice Chair I am an educator and activist currently based out of Durham, NC, pursuing my HGSE Ed.M. in the School Leadership Program. My focus is on disrupting and dismantling the manifold systems of oppression which prevent American public schools from providing all students their right to a quality education through school design and leadership which centers equity, critical pedagogy, and principles of Deeper Learning. |
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Melissa Zambrana, Higher Education Domestic Senator As a returning part-time student and Staff Assistant for the Crimson Summer Academy at Harvard (a program for high-achieving, low-income high school students), I have a vast knowledge of Harvard resources. Academically, I focus my studies on college stopout students (those who take a leave of absence). Personally, I enjoy dancing Zumba, petting dogs, eating Trader Joe's snacks, all things Mickey Mouse, and making people laugh. I was even voted class clown in high school! |
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Ari Hilliard, Specialized Studies Domestic Senator Hi everyone, my name is Ari Hilliard and I am located in Yonkers, which is just outside of New York City, in Westchester county. I am enrolled in the Specialized Studies Program, where my interests include developing and studying support mechanisms for students and faculty of color in K-12 schools and colleges, and extending equitable access to education and educational support systems for those same groups of people. I am heavily involved with the HGSE community through several affinity groups and clubs, and am looking forward to being the domestic rep/advocate for students in my program and HGSE in general. |
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Darby Lee, Prevention Science and Practice Domestic Senator Darby (she/her/hers) was born in LA, and raised in Korea, California and Canada. She is in the Prevention Science and Practice Program at HGSE. Prior to HGSE, she was working in the humanitarian aid sector in the Middle East and most recently in Myanmar on Child Protection, Education in Emergencies, and humanitarian access. As a former aid worker, she enjoys problem-solving, advocacy and working in fast-paced environments. Darby is passionate about student representation, diversity & equity, quality virtual education, and connecting students to resources. Through Student Council this year, she hopes identify the pressing issues facing students, make meaningful contributions to the quality of student experience and advocate for all students. |
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Caroline Tucker, Ph.D. Senator Caroline is a doctoral student in the Culture, Institutions, and Society concentration focused on the expansion of access to American higher education post-World War II. Her research interests center on administrative decision-making dynamics and social mobility historically, but as the higher education sector faces both long-standing and new challenges related to access, she’s also eager to apply her work to current policy discussions. Prior to HGSE, she taught American politics and English at a boys’ school in London and developed the school’s advising program for students interested in attending American universities. Originally from Indianapolis, Caroline currently lives in New York City. |
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Jose "J.J." Muñoz, Ed.L.D. Senator A native of Phoenix, Arizona, Jose "J.J." Muñoz has worked within education in Arizona, Florida, and Massachusetts. After pursuing his master's in school leadership, he led multiple schools as a principal in Massachusetts. As principal, students achieved the highest student growth in the ELA and math in the district according to state testing. Also, multiple schools have dramatically decreased with behavior referrals, more than 50% under J.J.'s leadership. He strives to support educators, help mold students to succeed academically and socially, and create an influential culture of inclusivity and excellence. As a child, he attended Title 1 schools, kindergarten through high school, observing friends not achieve their highest potential due to their experience. Their experience became J.J.'s motivating factor, committing to reimagining the school experience, especially for marginalized students. J.J. is deeply committed to increasing educational equity for all students while holding himself, students, and colleagues accountable. J.J.'s professional journey has been a dancer, teacher, athletic coach, academic coach, and principal. |
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Carmen Rodi, CAS Senator Carmen is a student in the Certificate in Advanced Study (CAS) in Counseling program at HGSE. Last year, she completed her Master's in Education in the Prevention Science & Practice program in Adolescent Counseling. Carmen is a School Counseling Intern at TechBoston Academy this year. Carmen worked in education for 6 years prior to attending HGSE and earned in BA from Colorado College in 2013. |
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Anyeli Matos, Education Policy and Management Domestic Senator Anyeli Matos (An-Je-Li) was born and raised in the Dominican Republic (DR). Her experiences as an immigrant and first generation college graduate drive her passion for education reform. Anyeli oversees the charter school district at the NYC Department of Education (NYCDOE). Prior to joining the NYCDOE, she held various roles at the district and at the charter school operations level. She is a product of New York City public schools and graduated from Binghamton University with a degree in Sociology and economics. In her limited free time, she likes to listen to music and spend time with friends and family. She is honored to be a part of the HGSE community and is looking forward to lifting up student voices. |
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Vo Ram Yoon, Education Policy and Management International Senator I go by Vo and I am an Ed.M. student in the Education Policy & Management program. Raised in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, I'm currently located in South Korea so you'll often catch me zooming into class and events during my morning and late night hours. Prior to coming to HGSE, I used to work in curriculum development, English teaching, and college admissions counseling at an education startup in Tokyo. I also used to work at a cookie bar in the trendy neighborhood of Harajuku and I love to hear what people's favorite kinds of cookies are, whether homemade or store-bought! I'm hoping to learn more about qualitative and quantitative research methods during my time at HGSE for the goal of building a more equitable world where students can thrive to heal this world and promote communal care. |
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Claire Lu, Higher Education International Senator Claire is an international student from Shanghai, China, currently pursuing her master’s degree in Higher Education at HGSE. She graduated from UC Davis with a Bachelor of Science in Statistics and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. At UC Davis, Claire was a resident advisor during her sophomore year and a peer academic advisor during her junior and senior years. She was also a member of Staff Diversity Administrative Advisory Committee as an undergraduate student employee representative. With her diverse experiences and backgrounds, she is passionate about improving international students’ experiences and promoting their academic, professional, and social development at HGSE. |
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Hector Cendejas, Human Development and Psychology Domestic Senator Hector is a student in the Human Development & Psychology/Child Advocacy stand program. Hector was elected to the Manassas Park City Council in 2016 as a write-in candidate. As council member, he serves on the Human Services Policy Committee and Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Council of Governments; the Human Development & Education Policy Committee chair (appointed for 2019-20), and the Legislative Committee of the Virginia Municipal League. Hector also works as a family reunification social worker for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington where he serves unaccompanied children from Central America. Hector enjoys serving the community and is happy to be part of HGSE. |
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Devika Harlalka, Human Development and Psychology International Senator
Devika is a social entrepreneur from Mumbai, India. She founded SkilLAB where she conducts skill-building programs for high school students. She teaches leadership skills, public speaking skills, research skills and engages her students in local social impact projects aligned with the United Nations Developmental goals. Devika graduated with a BA in Psychology, was a member of the Psi Chi Honor society, and was awarded the Emory Woman of Excellence for her contribution to her community. Outside of school, Devika loves to travel, explore new places, and new cultures. She loves performing spoken-word poetry and making art (from acrylics to sculptures and zentangles). She also loves being outdoors, trekking, dancing, and practicing yoga. |
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Said Bilani, International Education Policy Domestic Senator Said Bilani is a Founder and President of a Non-Profit Organization, Institute, Foundation and is a Small Business Owner. As Principal Founder of The Bilani Foundation; a private non-profit conglomerate that includes the My College Guru Pre-Collegiate Mentorship Foundation, the Stand-Up to Arthritis Organization, as well as The Institute for Middle East Peace & Progress. Said's Stand UP 2 Osteoarthritis org bridges a major gap in the medical industry. As a lead researcher at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Said discovered a treatment that serves as a cure for the non-regenerative, and deadly, osteoarthritis disease. Said is also a founder of the My College Guru Pre-Collegiate Mentorship Foundation whose mission is to recruit students to study in the STEM fields and which fosters an encouragement in students to become public servants and leaders in their communities. Said's desire to work in public service is as deeply embedded in him as his love for helping people. The quote by JFK, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country” embodies and supports inspiration for Said's pursuit of a career dedicated to public service. Through his public service ventures, Said has learned that his riches are not to be measured in monetary value but rather in his sense of pride and honor, for the guarantees he is able to provide those who have relentlessly given of themselves. Said's passion for public service has advanced him as a public servant and continues to ensure his professional growth by contributing to the quality of life, demonstrating transparency, and pursuing excellence through innovation, collaboration, and most importantly leading by example. Said serves as Senator of the HGSE Council and Vice-Chair of the Harvard Graduate Council. |
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Prachi Narang, International Education Policy International Senator My name is Prachi and I am from (and currently in) New Delhi, India. As the International Senator for the IEP cohort of 2021, I am looking to protect and further the interests of my cohort— the international students in particular. This year has been especially challenging for all, and managing the woes of time zones and internship losses has added to the stress for international students. As an international student myself, I am a vocal advocate for the student community. Empathy and equity are two of my most cherished beliefs, and they remain the ideals which will form the basis of my actions within the Student Council this year. |
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Katie Wiseman, Language and Literacy Domestic Senator My name is Katie Wiseman and I am part of the Language & Literacy program at HGSE. I live in Detroit, Michigan where I'm also a 7th grade English teacher. I spent the first four years of my teaching career in the Mississippi Delta and I am passionate about both rural education and how we talk about the deep south. Through the L&L program, I hope to develop my skills as a Reading Specialist. I'm dedicated to teaching literacy as an act of liberation, and I hope to spend my career in student-facing literacy roles. |
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Chang Zhang, Language and Literacy International Senator Chang is an international student from Beijing, China, currently pursuing her master’s degree in Language and Literacy at HGSE. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the College of William and Mary. During her undergraduate, Chang worked at the Deans of Student Offices Parent & Family Program to support international families. She is currently an intern at the HGSE OSA offices, supporting the international student community at HGSE. Chang also gives weekly English lessons to elementary students in rural China via online teaching platforms. Passionate about international/global education, she is looking forward to bringing her students a global perspective. |
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Xiaomei Wu, Learning and Teaching International Senator I was born and raised up in China. I went to college in the Middle East and studied Political Science and Economics. I speak Chinese Mandarin, English, and German. I am a language teacher and I love cats and dogs. |
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Kenny Nguyen, Mind, Brain, and Education Domestic Senator Kenny Nguyen is currently an Ed.M. candidate in the Mind, Brain, and Education (MBE) Program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He is also a research assistant for the Senseable Intelligence Group at the MIT McGovern Institute and Massachusetts Eye and Ear. Kenny holds a B.S. in Neurobiology & Physiology with a Minor in Psychology from Purdue University. He is very interested in the intersections of health and education, and he hopes to integrate the humanistic concepts of education into his future medical practice. Kenny will be attending the Larner College of Medicine at The University of Vermont in Fall 2021. At Purdue, Kenny served as the 2018 Student Body Secretary of the Purdue Student Government, where he was the primary liaison between the university administration and wider student body. During his undergraduate years, he was also a co-founder and cellist in the Cerveny Piano Trio, a representative on the Honors College Leadership Council, and the Managing Editor of The Purdue Review, Inc. Before Harvard, Kenny was the Lead Medical Scribe for INScribe and Indiana Emergency Care, where he staffed the Emergency, Internal Medicine, Otolaryngology, Gastroenterology, Family Medicine, and Intensive Care Departments across four Indiana University Health hospitals. He currently serves as the Hiring Director for these two companies. Kenny also spent a summer as a Research Fellow at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke investigating the altered transport neuronal mitochondria in Parkinson’s disease. His other interests include Korean literature, video editing, interior design, and yoga. |
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Rita Zhang, Mind, Brain, and Education International Senator Growing up in an ordinary family in China, I seemed to live an ordinary life. From local schools to a domestic university, then from business school to the corporate world, there seemed to be nothing surprising. However, in 2018, after ending another successful business year, I decided to make a change. I desired something more: to have a more positive impact on society and to live a different life. Thus, I left China to volunteer as an educator in Chile. My teaching experience was meaningful and rewarding. I remember a beautiful moment in one class: my students and I turned on our mobile phones’ flash, singing Ed Sheeran’s Perfect together. In that moment, I realized that what I learned from those kindhearted and passionate young people was much more that what I taught them. I designed an interesting class because they talked about their favorite songs and games. I came up with a good idea of extra curriculum activity because told me that they loved fruit salad. I knew what vocabulary they could use in daily life because they introduced me their traditions and conventions. This experience inspired me to switch my career to education. I want to hear more voices from students as their voices matter. And, I want to help them create a better future, as future matters. Therefore, in 2019, I applied to my dreaming school HGSE, and, as you have known, I’m here! I am proud to be part of this community. I am surprised by the rich resources from the Gutman Library and the knowledgeable librarians. I am amazed by the well-designed lectures and classroom discussion. I am inspired by the support from the creative and diverse peers. So, I am here to serve our wonderful community. I believe this year with you, I will create more beautiful moments in my life and in yours. |
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Han Nah Park, Prevention Science and Practice International Senator Han Nah Park is an Ed.M Candidate in the Prevention Science and Practice program at HGSE. She grew up in South Korea, China, Mongolia, Germany, and America, and currently resides in Seoul. She is an aspiring school counselor and is interested in topics of bi-cultural identity development and mental health. In her spare time she loves spending time in cafes, taking walks out in nature, and traveling. |
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Hai Ling Chen, School Leadership International Senator Hai Ling Chen is an Ed.M. candidate from the School Leadership Program at HGSE. Prior to Harvard, she had 12 years of hands-on experience in the international education sector in China as a teacher, curriculum designer, teacher trainer, and founder of a niche educational company Eversail. Through a systemic study of school leadership at HGSE, she aspires to bridge the gap between educational research and actual practices, leading positive changes in the K-12 education in China. Outside the classroom, Hai Ling is an avid reader and travels extensively. She is also an amateur screenwriter, a certified yoga coach, and a mom of two boys. |
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Hashem Daghestani, Specialized Studies International Senator Deputy Director General at Leadership Institute and board member of Rowing Federation Worked as Director of Active People at Saudi Mass participation Federation as well as Acting GM and director for a number of entrepreneurial departments within education, promoting entrepreneurial culture and innovations at Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority. The GM and founder of MITEF Saudi competition and GM of business development and entrepreneurial programs at community Jameel. Daghestani was assigned as a General Manager at Albaydah foundation for development, and consultant, judge, and mentor for a number of entrepreneurial organizations and competitions locally and internationally |
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Melanie Shimano, Technology, Innovation, and Education Domestic Senator Melanie Shimano is an M.Ed candidate in the Technology, Innovation, and Education program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a lecturer at Johns Hopkins University. She is passionate about using data science and open source methodologies at the intersection of education, technology, and civic engagement to address questions of how the American public will adapt to an evolving digital economy. She was recently named one of Forbes 30 Under 30, Baltimore’s 40 Under 40, and Maryland’s Leading Women for her work with technology educational programming. Melanie holds both an MS in Engineering Management and a BS in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Johns Hopkins University. |
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Lucy Chen, Technology, Innovation, and Education International Senator Lucy Chen is a learning experience designer, currently pursuing her master's degree in Technology, Innovation and Education at HGSE. She was a Founding Class student at an innovative university, Minerva Schools. In her global journey, she's designed education products and programs with Springboard(USA/India), IDEO(USA), mural.co(Argentina), busuu(UK),etc. Along with her passion for learner-centric technologies, she's also passionate about building alternative school models to empower student agency. At this special year of HGSE, she's dedicated to improving digital learning experiences and bringing a positive vibe to all. |
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Nariman Abdelsalam, Harvard Graduate Council Voting Representative
Within HGSE: Beyond HGSE: Nariman is an activist, community organizer and weaver in the broader field of alternative learning and regenerative living. Based in Cairo, Egypt, she is the founder and director of Mesahat: Liberating Learning Spaces, as well as a dialogue facilitator and a consultant in the broader field of learning (democratic/critical), civic education and social entrepreneurship. She is a cofounder of the School for Education Pioneers with Education Square and a board member of the Cairo Institute for Liberal Arts and Sciences (CILAS) where she teaches Alternative Pedagogies. Nariman serves on the steering committees of several international networks in the field of decolonizing and self-directed education, notably the Ecoversities Alliance, which comprises more than 100 higher education institutions around the globe that aim to revive and reclaim diverse knowledge ecologies, with a focus on the global south. In collaboration with organizations like YES! world and Schools Without Frontiers, Nariman facilitates the creation of temporary, experimental, regenerative communities that weave new stories and narratives for a possible new world from around the world. She loves good (i.e. hard) conversations around coffee and chocolates!
Connect:
Email: nabdelsalam@gse.harvard.com If you are an SSPer, I also host regular office hours for SSP students on Fridays at noon if you want to drop in those. Welcome ❤ |
