College of Education

Main Content

Spring 2026 Degree Candidates

Dr. Frank Hernandez, Dean

Doctor of Education

• Sergio Alexander (Higher Education Leadership)
• Kathryn Anne Myers Allis (Educational Leadership)
• Kayle Davis (Higher Education Leadership)
• Natalia Margarita Dominguez (Higher Education Leadership)
• Thomas Joseph Flagg III (Educational Leadership)
• Justin Cooper Hennig (Educational Leadership)
• Samuel Hernandez (Educational Leadership)
• Jessica Marie Humphrey (Higher Education Leadership)
• Adam Charles Joiner (Higher Education Leadership)
• Hope Stephanie Lewis (Educational Leadership)
• Ariela Martinez (Higher Education Leadership)
• Jacqueline Yvette Navarrete (Educational Leadership)
• Joshua Kyle Roberts (Educational Leadership)
• Nicole Nava Stein (Educational Leadership)
• Nikita Stricklen-Trice (Higher Education Leadership)

Doctor of Philosophy

• Jessica Marie Alvarez (Curriculum Studies)
• Eric Eugene Barnes (Educational Leadership)
• Krystal Winn (Educational Leadership)
• Christelle Fayad (Science Education)
• Reece Harty (Educational Leadership)
• Camille Austin Henderson (Educational Leadership)
• Monica Yolanda Manzur (Educational Leadership)
• Nicole R Masole (Educational Leadership)
• Kelly Lynn Kocinski Trager-Resnick (Educational Leadership)

Dissertation Titles

• Alexander, Sergio, Ed.D., Higher Education Leadership
  Brain-Computer Interfaces in Education: Exploring the Future of Learning and Cognitive Enhancement
  Major Professor: Dr. Ashley Tull
  
  
• Allis, Kathryn, Ed.D., Education Leadership
  Lead with Care, Keep Them There; Compassion as the Anchor for Retaining Teachers in Turnaround Schools
  Major Professor: Dr. Miriam Ezzani
  
  
• Alvarez, Jessica, Ph.D., Curriculum Studies
  Beyond the Grades: Exploring How Campus Engagement and the Hidden Curriculum Fuel Underrepresented First-Gen Student Development and Belonging
  Major Professor: Dr. Pablo Montes
  
  
• Austin Henderson, Camille, Ph.D., Education Leadership
  Supporting Culturally, Linguistically, Economically Diverse (CLED) Learners in Gifted and Talented Programs
  Major Professor: Dr. Miriam Ezzani
  
  
• Barnes, Eric, Ph.D., Education Leadership
  Doctoral Dissertation Defense: To Stay or Not To Stay: An Examination of Factors That Influence Black Principals' Post COVID-19 Attrition in PK-12 Public Schools
  Major Professor: Dr. Jo Beth Jimerson
  
  
• Davis, Kayle, Ed.D., Higher Education Leadership
  Zero-Proof Women: Exploring Sense of Belonging among Non-Drinking Sorority Women through Narrative-Based Inquiry
  Major Professor: Dr. Christine Hall
  
  
• Dominguez, Natalia, Ed.D., Higher Education Leadership
  Arteando & Platicando: An Emerging Art-Based Platicas Methodology Leveraging Community Cultural Wealth in Art Entrepreneurship
  Major Professor: Dr. Taryn Allen
  
  
• Fayad, Christelle, Ph.D., Science Education
  Investigating Elementary Pre-service Teachers’ Reasoning of Life Cycles through Scientific Modeling
  Major Professor: Dr. Hayat Hokayem
  
  
• Flagg, III, Thomas, Ed.D., Education Leadership
  Black Male Youths: Joy, Achievement, and Educational Success in the Face of Being Underestimated.
  Major Professor: Dr. Miriam Ezzani
  
  
• Harty, Reece, Ph.D., Education Leadership
  How Private Family Donors and Their Scholarship Recipients Impact Student Success.
  Major Professor: Dr. Ashley Tull
  
  
• Hennig, Justin, Ed.D., Education Leadership
  Power, Politics, and Public Education: The Changing Face of School Board Governance and Policy Formation
  Major Professor: Dr. Jo Beth Jimerson
  
  
• Hernandez Gomez, Samuel, Ed.D., Education Leadership
  Breaking Barriers or Reinforcing Inequality? Examining College Readiness Among Newcomer Students Through Access to Advanced Courses
  Major Professor: Dr. Miriam Ezzani
  
  
• Humphrey, Jessica, Ed.D., Higher Education Leadership
  Behind the Curtain: Unveiling Hidden Rules and Challenges in the Musical Theatre College Audition Process
  Major Professor: Dr. Ashley Tull
  
  
• Joiner, Adam, Ed.D., Higher Education Leadership
  Voices in the Margin: The Lived Experiences of Fraternity and Sorority Life Professionals of Color Advising Historically White Fraternities and Sororities
  Major Professor: Dr. Ashley Tull
  
  
• Lewis, Hope, Ed.D., Education Leadership
  School Counselors As Leaders: Bridging the Leadership Gap To Improve Outcomes for Students Placed At Risk
  Major Professor: Dr. Miriam Ezzani
  
  
• Manzur, Monica, Ph.D., Education Leadership
  I Matter: A Qualitative Investigation of the (In)validating Experiences and Perceptions of Belonging of Nontraditional Adult Learners in Belize
  Major Professor: Dr. Taryn Allen
  
  
• Martinez, Ariela, Ed.D., Higher Education Leadership
  Exploring Perceived Barriers to Mental Health Service Utilization and Knowledge of University Counseling Services: A Quantitative Analysis of Differences Among College Student Populations
  Major Professor: Dr. Taryn Allen
  
  
• Masole-Rose, Nicole Ratidzo Ludo, Ph.D., Education Leadership
  Applied Critical Leadership in Action: The Experiences and Strategies of Women of Color College Presidents
  Major Professor: Dr. Christine Hall
  
  
• Navarrete, Jacqueline, Ed.D., Education Leadership
  Unlocking the Path to Medicine: A Quantitative Analysis of Early College High School Attendance, Mentorship, and Institutional Support Among Underrepresented Minority Male Medical Students
  Major Professor: Dr. Tanetha Fisher
  
  
• Roberts, Joshua, Ed.D., Education Leadership
  An Education of the Soul: A Study of the Benefits of Spiritual Practices in Schools
  Major Professor: Dr. Jo Beth Jimerson
  
  
• Stein, Nicole, Ed.D., Education Leadership
  From Compliance to Support: Enhancing Administrative Readiness for Special Education
  Major Professor: Dr. Tanetha Fisher
  
  
• Stricklen-Trice, Nikita, Ed.D., Higher Education Leadership
  Looking for the Helpers: Deans of Students in Student Affairs and Their Use of Helping Skills
  Major Professor: Dr. Ashley Tull
  
  
• Trager, Kelly, Ph.D., Education Leadership
  A Phenomenological Study of Women Presidents of Higher Education Research Institutions Navigating Crisis
  Major Professor: Dr. Taryn Allen
  
  
• Winn, Krystal, Ph.D., Education Leadership
  Fundraisers’ Perceptions of Gender Bias and the Muted Alumna: Exploring the Role of Higher Education Institutions in Engaging Women in Philanthropy
  Major Professor: Dr. Ashley Tull

Master of Education

• Maria Fernanda Alonso Morales (C&I Language & Literature)
• Catherine Eleanor Anderson (Special Education)
• Jenise Rochelle Banks (Special Education)
• Lea Rae Bonke (Special Education)
• Allison Elizabeth Brown (C&I Language & Literature)
• Katy Brown (Clinical Mental Health Counseling)
• Delanie Lyn Butler (Special Education)
• Agnes Marie Chegwidden (Higher Education Leadership)
• Auguston Benson Cobba Jr. (Higher Education Leadership)
• Chi-Cory Cole (Higher Education Leadership)
• Joseph Eustáquio Davila (Higher Education Leadership)
• Abigail Paige Dawson (Special Education)
• Kaitlyn Dube (Clinical Mental Health Counseling)
• Lauren Duggan (Clinical Mental Health Counseling)
• Lindsey Eberhardt (C&I Language & Literature)
• Caren Fayyad (C&I Math Education)
• Hunter Edward Ferguson (C&I Language & Literature)
• Michael Fosu (C&I Math Education)
• Joshua Elias Glass (Clinical Mental Health Counseling)
• Hannah Vianney Gopin (Clinical Mental Health Counseling)
• Kathryn Wyn Green (Special Education)
• Elizabeth Greig (C&I Language & Literature)
• Hadley Jourdon Hanratty (C&I Language & Literature)
• Lauren Anne Harris (Clinical Mental Health Counseling)
• Jessica Margaret Heist (Special Education)
• Laura Frances Hertlein (C&I Language & Literature)
• Madeline Ray Herz (Special Education)
• Sara Hester (C&I Math Education)
• Rian N. Hill (Educational Leadership)
• Zahra Hussain (Clinical Mental Health Counseling)
• Rayann Marjorie Johanson Roberts (Clinical Mental Health Counseling)
• Alexa Briana Johnson (Clinical Mental Health Counseling)
• Kaylee Reese Johnson (C&I Language & Literature)
• Thomas Matthew Jolin (Special Education)
• Hannah Jill Jones (Higher Education Leadership)
• William Wayne Josiah Jones (Clinical Mental Health Counseling)
• Caitlyn Elizabeth Jean Kile (Special Education)
• Hunter Lynne Basham (Higher Education Leadership)
• Chloe Marie Kurzenknabe Gonzales (Clinical Mental Health Counseling)
• Gina Antonia LeCause (C&I Language & Literature)
• Tiffany Nacole Lee (Educational Leadership)
• Maria Jose Maldonado Medina (Special Education)
• Maria Olmos-Maldonado (Higher Education Leadership)
• Alexis Martinez Patino (Higher Education Leadership)
• Caitlin Anne Mason (Special Education)
• Sherry LaTherisa Mathews (Higher Education Leadership)
• Heather Chrystina Bennett (C&I Math Education)
• Janea Rose McCoy (Higher Education Leadership)
• Michiah J'Kolbi Lee McFarland (Clinical Mental Health Counseling)
• Patience Louisa Mensah (Higher Education Leadership)
• Benjamin Daniel Messina (Curriculum Studies)
• Nicholas Mashall Moore Jr (C&I Language & Literature)
• Paola Elena Morales (Educational Leadership)
• Josephine Leigh Morris (Clinical Mental Health Counseling)
• Carine Huyen Nguyen (Higher Education Leadership)
• Margaret Hannah Ngoc Vi Nguyen (C&I Language & Literature)
• Crystal Nunez (Higher Education Leadership)
• Marie Masae Onishi (C&I Language & Literature)
• Matthew B Pedersen (Higher Education Leadership)
• Chapin Pfeifle (Special Education)
• Marcellus Poland Jr (Higher Education Leadership)
• Grace Allyson Porterfield (Clinical Mental Health Counseling)
• Luis E Reyes (Higher Education Leadership)
• Anne Reynolds (C&I Language & Literature)
• Morgan Arata Riso (C&I Language & Literature)
• Angel Rodriguez (Higher Education Leadership)
• Joceline Rojas (Clinical Mental Health Counseling)
• Lauren Chloe Schenk (Special Education)
• Meagan Elizabeth Solby (Clinical Mental Health Counseling)
• Jose Luis Trejo-Gonzalez (Higher Education Leadership)
• Bella Brooks Tucker (Special Education)
• Tania Sofia Turner (Special Education)
• Jacob Sterling Vanderford (Higher Education Leadership)
• Diana Villagomez (C&I Science Education)
• Sophia Nicole Villatoro (Clinical Mental Health Counseling)
• Allison Waddell (Human Services)
• Victoria Elizabeth Wardlaw (Curriculum Studies)
• Emily Jane Warr (Special Education)
• Jessica White (C&I Language & Literature)
• Rocco Benedict Williams (C&I Science Education)
• Hanna Kaye Zimmerman (Special Education)
• Isabella Zindel (Special Education)

Thesis Titles

•  Fayyad, Caren, M.Ed., Curriculum & Instruction: Mathematics Education Emphasis
  Perceptions of Technology Integration in Mathematics Education K-12 and its Impact on Student Engagement in Lebanon
  Major Professor:  Dr. Sarah Quebec-Fuentes
  
  
• Fosu, Michael, M.Ed., Curriculum & Instruction:  Mathematics Education Emphasis
  Students Geometric Reasoning within the van Hiele Model ​and their Perceptions of Instructional Practices​
  Major Professor:  Dr. Sarah Quebec-Fuentes

Bachelor of Science

• Evelyn Alexis Acosta (Youth Advocacy and Educational Studies)
• Emmily Almaraz Marquez (Youth Advocacy and Educational Studies)
  (Cum Laude)
• Elsa Grey Comincioli (Youth Advocacy and Educational Studies/Child Development)
  (Cum Laude)
• Margaret Dietrick (Youth Advocacy and Educational Studies)
• Mary Stuart Gulley (Youth Advocacy and Educational Studies)
  (Magna Cum Laude)
• Quinton Fred Harris (Youth Advocacy and Educational Studies)
• Hannah Hemphill (Youth Advocacy and Educational Studies)
• Jamel Omarion Johnson (Youth Advocacy and Educational Studies)
• Jordyn M Lewis (Youth Advocacy and Educational Studies)
• Lauren Elizabeth Pittman (Youth Advocacy and Educational Studies)
  (Summa Cum Laude)
• Tatum Marie Shepardson (Youth Advocacy and Educational Studies)
• Deanna Jaymes Smith (Youth Advocacy and Educational Studies)
  (Magna Cum Laude)

Bachelor of Science in Education

• Ella Mary Alvarado (Early Childhood Education)
  (Summa Cum Laude)
• Asiane' Marie Arps (Middle School Mathematics)
  (Cum Laude)
• Bernadette Ann Bakke (Middle School Language Arts)
  (Cum Laude)
• Manuel Barcenas (Early Childhood Education Bilingual)
  (Magna Cum Laude)
• Brielle Best (Early Childhood Education)
  (Summa Cum Laude)
• Zoe Binkley (Middle School Language Arts)
  (Magna Cum Laude)
• Alex Raemi Castillo (Secondary Language Arts)
  (Magna Cum Laude)
• Yarelie Covarrubias (Early Childhood Education Bilingual)
  (Cum Laude)
• Anahi Liliana Diazdeleon (Educational Studies/Mathematics)
  (Cum Laude)
• Berkley Sinclair Dobson (Early Childhood Education)
  (Magna Cum Laude)
• Camella Elizabeth Drucker (Early Childhood Education)
  (Magna Cum Laude)
• Mackenzie Alexandria Dudley (Secondary Language Arts)
  (Cum Laude)
• Anna Fazio (Early Childhood Education)
  (Summa Cum Laude)
• Moriah Fernandez (Early Childhood Education)
  (Summa Cum Laude)
• Brooke Kristine Foreman (Secondary Language Arts)
  (Summa Cum Laude)
• Elizabeth Doss Gilley (Early Childhood Education)
  (Cum Laude)
• Gregorio Delgado Gray (Secondary School Social Studies)
  (Cum Laude)
• Molly Isabelle Green (Early Childhood Education)
  (Summa Cum Laude)
• Jalyn Patricia Gryskiewicz (Early Childhood Education)
  (Summa Cum Laude)
  (Departmental Honors, Education)
• Abby Laura Hattaway (Early Childhood Education)
  (Summa Cum Laude)
• Margarita Jaquez Monreal (Early Childhood Education Bilingual)
  (Summa Cum Laude)
• Gianna Marie Kingsbury (Early Childhood Education)
  (Summa Cum Laude)
  (University Honors)
• Connor George Langton (Educational Studies/History)
  (Magna Cum Laude)
• Hung Len (Early Childhood Education)
• Andrea Natziry Llamas (Early Childhood Education Bilingual)
  (Summa Cum Laude)
• Brianna Rose Loera (Early Childhood Education)
  (Magna Cum Laude)
• Fátima Luna Jácquez (Early Childhood Education Bilingual)
  (Summa Cum Laude)
• Aubrey O Macias (Educational Studies/History)
  (Cum Laude)
• Itzel Magallanes Pardo (Early Childhood Education Bilingual)
• Karissa Nicole Massey (Early Childhood Education)
  (Magna Cum Laude)
• Delia Gabriella Minto (Early Childhood Education)
  (Cum Laude)
• Whitney Rose Montgomery (Early Childhood Education)
  (Magna Cum Laude)
• Mia Isabela Moreno (Early Childhood Education)
  (Magna Cum Laude)
• Aiden A Orr (Secondary School Social Studies)
• Olivia Overstreet (Early Childhood Education)
  (Summa Cum Laude)
• Elizabeth Poston (Early Childhood Education)
• Alexandra Sophia Rovzar Gamboa (Middle School Language Arts)
• Miguel Vega (Secondary School Social Studies)
  (Magna Cum Laude)
• Nevaeh Isabel Vega (Middle School Science)
  (Magna Cum Laude)
• Demi Elizabeth Wasden (Early Childhood Education)
  (Summa Cum Laude)
• Isayana Rae White (Early Childhood Education)
  (Summa Cum Laude)
• Charlotte Elizabeth Woodford (Early Childhood Education)
  (Summa Cum Laude)

Students listed in the commencement program are degree candidates as of May 8, 2026.  Latin Honors designations in the program are calculated as of the end of the Fall 2025 term.  Official Latin Honors will be calculated after final grades are complete.  Official Latin Honors designations will be printed on the diploma.  Inclusion in the commencement program does not indicate completion of degree requirements of final awarding of the degree.