This is part of a “Meet Our Incoming Students” series in which the College of Education will introduce some of its first-year, transfer and graduate students who will join us this fall.
The NC State College of Education expects to welcome 80 new doctoral students and about 95 new master’s students this fall. Meet five of the new graduate students, including a University Graduate Fellowship recipient:
Shakealia Finley
Atlanta, Georgia
Ph.D. in Teacher Education and Learning Sciences Social Studies Education program area of study
What is your educational background?
MPA in public affairs, University of Missouri; MAT in secondary education, Georgia State University; B.A. in history, Jackson State University; A.A. in foreign languages, Georgia Perimeter College
What is your professional background?
I entered the education profession in 2001. I taught middle and high school social studies in Georgia, New York and Missouri. I also taught economics and American government courses at the college level.
Why did you choose the NC State College of Education?
I chose NC State College of Education because of its reputation for preparing educators to research, teach and lead in an increasingly diverse society.
Why did you choose your program area of study?
My program area of study is social studies education. I chose this program area of study because of my desire to engage in academic and research activities that contribute to the improvement of the social studies curriculum, as well as transformative teaching and learning experiences.
What are your research interests?
My research focuses on using Critical Race Theory to examine issues of race and racism in precollege economic education and on developing sustainable anti-racist approaches to the field of precollege economic education that encourage critical civic engagement and economic justice.
How will this program help you accomplish your goals?
This program will help me accomplish my career goals through rigorously preparing me to produce meaningful scholarship on the theory, research and practice of pre-college economics. The program also affords me the opportunity to instruct education courses as well as learn from and collaborate with education scholars.
Why did you choose education?
I chose education because of its potential to transform the lives and communities of racially marginalized students and educators.
Adrian Kuhlman
Reading, Pennsylvania
Ph.D. in Learning and Teaching in STEM Mathematics and Statistics Education program area of study
What is your educational background?
I have a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from Millersville University and a Master of Science in mathematics education from Teachers College, Columbia University.
What is your professional background?
For the first five years of my teaching career, I taught mathematics at the Urban Assembly School for Careers in Sports, which is a public high school in the South Bronx in New York City. I primarily taught Algebra II & Trigonometry and AP Calculus, while I occasionally taught Algebra I. I was an adviser for Project Discovery, an affiliated Outward Bound program; coached the ultimate frisbee team, and ran the after-school homework center and the peer to peer tutoring program.
From there, I taught the next seven years at Howard Community College in Columbia, Maryland, where I was an associate professor of mathematics and course coordinator for the precalculus sequence. I taught developmental through college-level mathematics courses, designed and developed curriculums and online homework systems, and explored and implemented flipped classrooms and specifications grading models. I assisted with the STEM Scholars and Learning Community Program, was an assistant director for the Southwest Study Away Program and was a member of the editorial board for our undergraduate student academic research journal.
Why did you choose the NC State College of Education?
The NC State College of Education aligned with my academic and research interests and my professional goals. Through the program’s coursework and the multitude of graduate minors and certificates, I will be able to expand the breadth and depth of my knowledge and explore more of my academic interests. During my interview, I was impressed with the faculty, and I was excited for the opportunity to work with [NC State College of Education Distinguished Professor of Mathematics and Statistics Education and Interim Associate Dean, Friday Institute] Hollylynne Lee and [Friday Institute research scholar] Gemma Foust Mojica.
Why did you choose your program area of study?
Mathematics has become a barrier for many students. Whether it prevents them from going into a STEM field or just from earning a high school diploma, mathematics is stopping students from achieving their goals. I want to help remove those barriers, make mathematics more welcoming and accepting and help students reach their full potential by conquering mathematics. I strive to make changes in mathematics education by opening new avenues of accessibility and availability by creating, designing, and developing processes and mechanisms for mathematics learning.
What are your research interests?
I am interested in researching how mathematical knowledge is acquired on cognitive and neurological levels to explore questions such as why particular students struggle with mathematics, how to foster mathematical understanding and how to identify the differences between learning a mathematical skill versus a concept. I am also interested in understanding the process by which students develop mathematical skills and concepts through activities and games, exploring how opportunities to learn mathematics are constructed, the use of learning technologies, games and activities to enrich mathematical learning, incorporating informal learning into the everyday settings and the designing of learning environments. Having experience teaching in high school and college, I am interested in teacher preparation for K-12 and collegiate settings as well.
How will this program help you accomplish your goals?
My career goals are to use insights from my research to design and develop activities, immersive experiences, learning technologies and games that will support learning mathematics for diverse groups of learners. My research assistantship will provide valuable hands-on experience and learning opportunities to develop my skills as a researcher and allow me to pursue my research interests. By taking advantage of the courses offered in the [Mathematics and Statistics Education program area of study] in addition to graduate minors and certificates, I will be able to explore and diversify my academic knowledge and experiences, while tailoring them toward my goals.
Why did you choose education?
As cliché as this is, I want to help make the world a better place. I believe education is one of the ways I can contribute. Education is powerful. It can ignite passions people didn’t know they had; it can seize on potential buried deep inside, and it can recognize greatness in each and every one of us. Education is not only a great equalizer for society, but it can also take us to new heights and wonders. To help more students reach their potential and live out their dreams, I hope to contribute to and advance the field of education.
Keith Martin
Punta Gorda by way of Tallahassee, Florida
Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Human Development Higher Education Opportunity, Equity, and Justice area of study
What is your educational background?
I spent my undergraduate years at the University of Tampa studying music. Initially, I thought I would become a music educator, and then a film/commercial music composer. However, after graduating with my bachelor of arts in music, I came to the realization that I was no longer interested in pursuing a music career. During that time, I did some self-reflection in trying to figure out a career path that aligned with my interests and values. I determined that higher education and student affairs filled that void. I later enrolled at the University of South Florida’s curriculum and instruction program with a concentration in college student affairs to earn my master’s of education.
What is your professional background?
My professional experience has been mostly with advising college students. Right before I started my graduate program, I was able to work one semester at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Florida, which I found to be an incredible experience. Post-graduation, I became a community director for the University of North Carolina Asheville’s Office of Residential Education. After working as a housing officer for over two years, I returned back to academic advising within the Poole College of Management at NC State University. As of last summer, I became the senior academic advisor for the College of Education, where I advise first-year and second-year undergraduate students. I can honestly say that working at NC State has been a highlight of my professional experience.
Why did you choose the NC State College of Education?
I knew since arriving in North Carolina that I wanted to be at this university and college. For me, it had the clear distinction in reputation, academic rigor and quality of instruction that I was seeking. I wanted to challenge myself and believed that I could do that here. Also, as a staff member, I am able to see first-hand the hard work, knowledge and dedication provided to our students, which is reassuring. Lastly, the College of Education uniquely aligns with my values and purpose as an educator. Specifically, its anti-racist mission emboldens my commitment to disrupting and dismantling systems of oppression with other like-minded individuals.
Why did you choose your program area of study?
Choosing my program area of study in higher education opportunity, equity, and justice was a serendipitous encounter. During my search for higher education programs, I was intentional in what type of experience and program I was looking for. It mattered to me that the faculty instruction and research were aligned to tenets connected to social justice, and most importantly that their students were able to do the same. When I learned that this was a program area in the college, it served as a sign to me. My decision was further solidified after attending the program’s prep program and open house. Ultimately, I chose this program because I believe that there is an opportunity for me to deepen my understanding of theory, research and best practices to eliminate inequities for all students, especially those who have been historically marginalized and underrepresented. At this juncture of my career and personal identity, pursuing this degree seems even more timely given the energy of racial reckoning within higher education.
What are your research interests?
My research will always be informed by and intended to advance diversity, equity and social justice. My research interests are in the following areas: college access, retention, and student success; food and housing insecurities; and college environment and climate impact on underrepresented student experiences. I am particularly drawn to research on the retention and persistence of minoritized males in various institutional types and disciplines.
How will this program help you accomplish your goals?
As an aspiring scholar leader who hopes to progress in responsibility and in solving multifaceted issues, this program will provide me with the competency and knowledge needed for the management of complex institutions and organizations. At this time, I am unsure what that is. However, I envision myself as a senior-level administrator who would work tirelessly to foster an inclusive environment. My long-term goals are to conduct research, write, teach and consult. Personally, I believe that there is no better way to give back and contribute to the field of higher education.
Why did you choose education?
For the longest time, I felt that I was running away or trying to avoid a career in education. This ultimately led to me not pursuing music education in my undergraduate years. My time of self-reflection after graduation, interestingly enough, brought me back to where I started. I finally understood the impact education had on my own life, but now I carried a different perspective from my lived experiences. I chose the field of higher education because I want to serve others and create opportunities for meaningful learning experiences. Having the privilege of being educated has provided me with some access and a network. However, it took early realization to understand that there are systems in place that benefit certain people and excluded others from having a meaningful learning experience due to factors not limited to the following: race/ethnicity, socio-economic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical/mental disability and more. Regardless of identity and background, I believe that all people should be able to thrive and be successful. My hope is that I pay it forward by empowering others to succeed in post-secondary educational settings.
Oscar Miranda Tapia
Clayton, North Carolina
Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Human Development Higher Education Opportunity, Equity, and Justice area of study
What is your educational background?
I went to Elon University back in 2013, and I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. At the time, I didn’t really know what I was going to do, but I got introduced to an executive internship at Elon that really got me the chance to see behind the scenes of how higher education institutions run. That sparked my interest in learning more about higher education institutions. I was also part of a scholarship program while an undergraduate student where I met one of my best mentors. I wanted to be someone like her, who helped other first generation college students on their path through higher education. I came from a low-income background, which presents other kinds of challenges in trying to be able to go to college. I knew I could see myself going the higher education route, and one of the master’s programs I applied to was at Harvard. There, I got my master’s of education, with a concentration in higher education. After that, I started working back at Elon doing the same thing my mentor had done for me.
What is your professional background?
My current title is assistant director for first-generation student support services.When I came back to work at Elon, there was a scholarship program already present, supporting first-generation students. But then beyond that program, there wasn’t any kind of support being offered to first-generation students that don’t have a scholarship. My job was to support that population of students. So, we created the first-generation initiative back in the fall of 2019 with the establishment of my position. Since then, I’ve been leading this effort at Elon, doing everything from working with students one-on-one — helping them navigate college life, the good and the bad, the nuances of it all — to also zooming out 3,000 feet in looking at the institution as a whole and saying, ‘Well, what policies are in place or what processes are either supporting or hindering the success of first-generation college students.’ Currently, we have a steering committee that I helped to establish that’s composed of faculty, staff and students, and they get to decide the direction we should be moving in.
Why did you choose the NC State College of Education?
For me, it was very much about being able to come back to my neighborhood, the Raleigh-Durham area, the Clayton area. One of the things that I was really interested in about NC State was the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research. In Johnston County, where I was raised, the only higher education institution that exists is Johnson Community College. When I was exploring different options, I thought to myself, well Johnston Community College is right there, and the Belk Center is right there with NC State. How awesome would it be to be able to work alongside Johnston Community College in some capacity? At Elon, I’ve really seen the impact higher education institutions can have on the surrounding community. And I love that kind of partnership, especially when you intermix it with philanthropy. I know that college access, college success, is my passion. Being able to come back to my hometown and learn more about that within the context of my hometown is amazing. Not to mention the higher education, equity, opportunity, and justice program having an emphasis on social justice and inclusion work is very, very much needed in the days we’re living in.
Why did you choose your program area of study?
That students that I work with, the students that I identify with, are students that, for the longest time in US history, have not had equal access to higher education institutions. If I know that I want to do more work with this population of students, I know that I really need to make this a focus of mine in my work, and I love that this program allows me to look at it from that angle. I think it’s going be an amazing opportunity to be able to learn alongside my advisor, [Alumni Distinguished Graduate Professor and Senior Advisor for Advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion] Joy Gaston Gayles. I’ve had a couple of meetings with her already, and I can already tell that I have a good bit of learning to do, and I’m excited about that. I’m excited to be able to be back in the classroom, to be in that student role again and ask questions and get involved.
What are your research interests?
My research interests are definitely focused on first-generation college students. I’d really love to see the intersection first-generation students with Latinx identities, or even maybe students that have undocumented identities or are low income. I’m just really trying to understand more of their college experience, whether that’s accessing college or just succeeding through college.
How will this program help you accomplish your goals?
I would always describe myself as a practitioner, as a student affairs professional. But I really want to delve more into the scholarly research behind it all and refine my research skills, to engage with the scholarship and produce scholarship. One of my mentors at Elon came through the faculty route. In her class, she eventually started doing some service learning requirements for students that allowed the students to engage with the community. From there, an after-school tutoring program developed and grew into a program that services 12 Title 1 schools in Alamance County. She’s able to then fund all of that and get grants because she is able to merge the research and the practice in the community. To be able to speak those multiple languages, to have the scholarly background, to have the practice background — she’s a role model to me. Down the road, I can imagine myself serving a similar role, or maybe I leave higher education and start working for an institute and start doing research-heavy work. I could really see myself going the faculty route, too.
Why did you choose education?
For me to have immigrated to this country, to have grown up in Johnston County, to be a DACA recipient and then to have been able to get into college, pay for it and go to places like Harvard—places I never thought I would have experienced—my mind has just been expanded, and I have college to thank for that. I have my education to thank for that. That’s why I’m in this field, and that’s why I’m in this work. I want others to feel that transformation as well.
What does it mean to receive a University Graduate Fellowship?
It means a lot to me, personally, because, it kind of feels like there’s a sense of appreciation. I’m very glad that I have this kind of opportunity. Financially, it makes a big difference for me, and I’m excited. It feels like a hug from home back to me.
Alicia Burnette Whitley
Durham, North Carolina
Ph.D. in Teacher Education and Learning Sciences Literacy and English Language Arts Education program area of study
What is your educational background?
Bachelor of Arts in English and Romance Languages, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; MAT English 9-12, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
What is your professional background?
I was a high school English teacher for 15 years and before that I worked at the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center.
Why did you choose the NC State College of Education?
I’m passionate about education, and I have a specific interest in teacher education and preparing future teachers for the challenges of being passionate about education in North Carolina. I felt that the program offered by NC State was one of the best opportunities for achieving that goal.
Why did you choose your program area of study?
Many students in 2022 are stuck with the same high school literary canon and textbooks I had in 2002. I’m interested in studying the ways in which literacy education has or should change.
What are your research interests?
Young adult literature, representative literature and comics in the classroom.
How will this program help you accomplish your goals?
Next semester, I’ll be lucky enough to work with incoming Teaching Fellows and help them prepare for their future classrooms. The skills that I’ll gain from doing this work will most definitely help me with the goal of continuing to fight for the health of public education in North Carolina.
Why did you choose education?
Honestly? I love learning. I love helping others learn, and I love sharing what I’ve learned. I believe that education is a right, supremely important to the public well-being, and that everyone deserves to have access to it.
