Spring 2026 News letter

SJSU

SPRING 2026

EdD Educational Leadership Program

RISING NEWSLETTER

https://www.sjsu.edu/edd/

CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Director's Message New Faculty Doris Prince Awardees Graduating Students Core Faculty Achievements Student Achievements 2025 Holiday Party AERA Conference 2026 2026 Spring Graduation Lunch EdD alumni network

https://www.sjsu.edu/edd/

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CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

DIRECTOR‘S MESSAGE Welcome to our Spring 2026 Newsletter!

I am absolutely honored to introduce this year’s EdD graduates from Cohorts 7, 8, and 10. We are celebrating 20 remarkable leaders who are ready to head out and transform the world for the better. In many ways, the doctoral degree is simply a formality for this cohort; many are already established change-makers in the places where they work. Witnessing their growth over the past three years has been a privilege, and I couldn't be prouder of everything they’ve accomplished.

A few additional things that I’d like to share with you in this newsletter include the impressive publications, presentations, and honors/awards of our current students, alumni, and core faculty; our newest instructors to the program; and photos from last year’s holiday party in December and this semester’s community gathering, where different cohorts mingled and got to know each other. We also dedicated some time during the spring gathering to publicly acknowledge and celebrate the achivements of our graduating doctoral students.

I close this issue with an important message from our EdD Alumni Network addressed to the graduates of our program, now 139 in all (and 10 in ABD status).

Made with Gemini AI

Happy reading!

Ferdie Rivera

https://www.sjsu.edu/edd/

CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

New Faculty Dr. Cyndee Mai Nguyen Director of Early Literacy, Mountain View Whisman District

Dr. Clover Codd

Superintendent Moreland School District

Dr. Dogukan Ozgen

Assistant Professor of AI and Emergent Technologies and EdD Core Faculty SJSU, CHAD/EdD

https://www.sjsu.edu/edd/

CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

New Faculty Dr. Lisa Andrew President and CEO Silicon Valley Educational Foundation

Dr. Erika Gaylor

SRI International

https://www.sjsu.edu/edd/

CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

2025-26

DORIS PRINCE AWARDEES

Victoria Veles Aguirre Cohort 12

Mirel Mejia Cohort 11

https://www.sjsu.edu/edd/

CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

2025-26

DORIS PRINCE AWARDEES

Janelle-Victoria Cabanero Cohort 12

Hong Ha Hong Cohort 12

Raina Benton Cohort 12

https://www.sjsu.edu/edd/

CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

GRADUATING STUDENTS

Erika Vargas Cohort 10 Title: Braiding Epistemologies: A Testimonio of a Woman of Color Coach Creating Space in California Community College Athletics Members: Rebeca Burciaga, Liliana Castrellon, William Rodriquez

Lusyna Kim Narvaez Cohort 10 Title: breaking the glass ceiling from the ground floor: bipoc women classified professionals' journey in california community colleges Members: Liliana Castrellon, Rebeca Burciaga ,David Piper

https://www.sjsu.edu/edd/

CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

GRADUATING STUDENTS

Feroza Solaiman, Cohort 10 Title: Addressing The Lack of Representation of Hijab Wearing Teachers of Color in Education Members: Lara Ervin-Kassab, Deanna L. Fassett, Raul M. Zamora

Verónica Meza Cohort 10 Title: "A door to the future." A case study in exploratory and culturally sustaining theater curriculum Members: Luis Poza, Eduardo Munoz-Munoz, Martina Ayala, Ellen Middaugh

https://www.sjsu.edu/edd/

CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

GRADUATING STUDENTS

Sara Kendallen Cohort 10 Title: examining beliefs of state department of education directors of assessment regarding standardized testing Members: Brent Duckor, Arnold Danzig, Richard Patz

Jeremy Adams Cohort 7 Title: Multiple Perspectives on Inclusion in Science for Students Receiving Support from The Learning Center (TLC) Program Members: Arnold Danzig ,Ferdie Rivera, Paulette Cobb

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CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

GRADUATING STUDENTS Amanda Lubbs Cohort 10 Title: Can Curriculum Improve Confidence?:Examining the Impact of the California Math Framework on Math Anxiety Levels of Pre-Service Teachers in California Members: Dr. Emily Slusse, Dr. Sandra Rui, Dr. Deborah Curtis

Diana Valle Cohort 8 Title: Querer es Poder: FirstGeneration Latinx Students from Central Coast Navigating Higher Education Post-Pandemic Members: Maria Ledesma, Rebeca Burciaga, Rudy Medina

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CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

GRADUATING STUDENTS

Jeffery Sundquist Cohort 10 Title: ensuring effective, efficient, and equitable libraries in a post-pandemic community college environment Members: Deanna Fassett, Kristen Radsliff, Renate Chancellor

Kaci Turpin Cohort 10 Title: Understanding the impact of transfer orientation leadership: student leader perspectives at a mid-sized California university Members: Deanna Fassett, Maria Ledesma, Rudy Medina

https://www.sjsu.edu/edd/

CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

GRADUATING STUDENTS

Shilpan Sheth Cohort 10 Title: Guru Shishya Parampara: A Phenomenological Exploration of Character Development Through Immersion Members: Grinell Smith, Colette Rabin, Wendy Stratton

Harshdeep Singh Nanda Cohort 8 Title: An untouched gem:understanding parental perceptions on community college attendance Members: Ferdie Rivera, Keenan Norris, Kathleen McConnell

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CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

GRADUATING STUDENTS

Rolan Resendiz Cohort 10 Title:Rewriting the Plan: Environmental Justice, Community Resistance, and Governance Power in Hollister, California Members:Maria C Ledesma, Anne Marie Faria, Kenneth Yeager

Uche Ogamba Cohort 10 Title: Leadership, Identity, and Black Joy: The Career Trajectories and Experiences of Black Administrators in the California State University System Members: Arnold Danzig, Veneice Guillory-Lacy, Reverend Father Gerald Nwafor.

https://www.sjsu.edu/edd/

CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

GRADUATING STUDENTS

Ahmed Dilkash Cohort 10 Title:Supports an Challenges for Students with Extensive Support Needs in Higher Education: A State University Qualitative Study Members: Sudha Krishnan, Sailia Kulkarni, Matt Love

Prisilla Cortez Cohort 10 Title:"Girl, I'll Figure It Out": FirstGeneration Women of Color Navigating Higher Education Members: Liliana Castrellon, Veneice Guillory-Lacy, Belinda Otukolo Saltiban

https://www.sjsu.edu/edd/

CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

GRADUATING STUDENTS

Calimbas Clarissa Cohort 10 Title:Who's Building the Bridge?: Filipina/x/o American Student Organizations and Academic Experiences in Higher Education Members:Maria Ledesma, Liliana Castrellon, Tracy Buenavista.

Nguyen Andrew Cohort 10 Title:Selected California State University Cybersecurity Readiness Policies and Related Guidance for Staff: A Qualitative Document Analysis Members:Melody Moh, Ferdie Rivera, Hazel De Ausen.

https://www.sjsu.edu/edd/

CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

GRADUATING STUDENTS

Animuntu Anthony Cohort 10 Title:Out of the briar path: storying resistance among black male survivors of childhood sexual abuse and its impact on their educational experiences Members: Veneice GuilloryLacy, Rebeca Burciaga, Matais Pouncil

Dan Burfeind Cohort 9 Title:Behind the ballot: examining relationships between student characteristics and voting behavior for college activity fees at a public fouryear university Members: Maria Fusaro, Maria Ledesma, Leslie Williams

https://www.sjsu.edu/edd/

CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Spring 2026

CORE FACULTY ACHIEVEMENTS

🏆 Awards & Honors Publications: Price-Gardner, R. & Briceño, A. (2026). Teaching Under Censorship. The Reading Teacher, 79(4), 1-3. https://doi.org/10.1002/trtr.70033 This article explores the constraints teachers are working under within the current anti-DEI movement.

Rodríguez, S., Briceño, A. & Price-Gardner, R. (2026).

Teaching in the Shadow of Immigration Enforcement.

The Reading Teacher, 79(4), 1-3. https://doi.org/10.1002/trtr.70033 This article shares teachers' perceptions of practice, students, and the limitations of teaching under recent immigration enforcement.

Briceño, A. (18 March 2026). Supporting multilingual students: Translanguaging in English and bilingual classrooms. California Reading Association Webinar.

Allison Briceño

Venue / Publisher / Organization: AERA presentations: Tovas, S., Rodriguez-Mojica, C., & Briceño, A. (2026, April). Nuestro Español Mocho Tiene Valor: Paradoxical Messaging in Multilingualism. Roundtable. To be presented at the American Education Research Association (AERA), Los Angeles, CA. Coole, M., Stoehr, K. J., Rutherford-Quach, S., NecocheaTinco, K., Rodriguez-Mojica, C., Briceño, A. (2026, April).

Creating Spaces for Parents of Multilingual Children to Showcase Their Expertise and Understanding.

Symposium. To be presented at the American Education Research Association (AERA), Los Angeles, CA. Briceño, A. (2026, April). Symposium. Role - Discussant.

Emancipatory Pro-Black and Pro-Latinx Reading Research and Teaching. To be presented at the American Education Research Association (AERA), Los Angeles, CA.

https://www.sjsu.edu/edd/

CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Spring 2026

CORE FACULTY ACHIEVEMENTS

🏆 Awards & Honors Publication: Martin, G., Danzig, A.B., & Orr, M.T. (2026). School leadership internship: Developing, monitoring, and evaluating your Leadership experience (6th Edition). Routledge/Taylor Francis Group.

AERA Paper Presentation: Expanding the Horizons of Leadership Development: Intercultural, Contextual, and Practice-Based - Division A Roundtable Session

Arnold Danzig

Presentation: Duckor, B., & Holmberg, C. (2026, April).

Secondary school teachers’ narratives on AI’s impact in everyday teaching. Paper accepted for “Teaching with AI: Identities, Challenges, and Burnout” Roundtable presentation at the meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Los Angeles, California.

Publication: Duckor, B., & Holmberg, C. (2025). Five Pillars of Ethical AI Use for Teaching and Learning.

Kappan 107 (3–4), 14–18.

Brent Duckor

https://www.sjsu.edu/edd/

CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Spring 2026

CORE FACULTY ACHIEVEMENTS

🏆 Awards & Honors Publications: Guillory-Lacy, V. (2025). Reclaiming Relational Pedagogies: The Role of Talking Circles in Decolonizing Higher Education Classrooms. Brock Education Journal, 34(2), 27–43. https://doi.org/10.26522/brocked.v34i2.1241. https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/faculty_rsca/6334 / Guillory-Lacy,V., Malloy, K., Warren, J., Aquino, E., and de Bourbon, S. Survivance of Native American and Indigenous Students at a Fouryear Hispanic-Serving Institution. InternatIonal Journal of QualItatIve Studies in EducatIon (2025). https://doi.org/10.1080/09518398.2025.2574965. https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/faculty_rsca/6330 /

Veneice Guillory-Lacy Awards/Honors: Weir/Galm Award (Awarded to Dr. Veneice Guillory-Lacy and Dr. Eleni Duret) The award is intended to support research, travel to present at conferences, and/or acquisition of materials related to teaching or scholarship. A longtime professor and Chair of the English Department, Dr. John Galm, established the Weir/Galm Endowment in 1995 in memory of his wife, Dr. Sybil Weir. Dr. Weir also had a long career at San José State University. She was Professor of English and Associate Dean of the College of Humanities and the Arts; she also served as Associate Vice President for Faculty Affairs. The Weir/Galm Endowment Award is intended to enhance the careers of new faculty members according to the wishes of Dr. Weir and Dr. Galm.

Exceptional Levels of Service to Student Assigned Time Award -SJSU

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CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Spring 2026

CORE FACULTY ACHIEVEMENTS

🏆 Awards & Honors Publication: Bang, J. Y., Park, C., Sorto, M., & Sanchez, F. (2026).

Ecological systems connected to non-English language picture books for children under 5 years: Insights from a public library system. Journal of Early Childhood Literacy, 4687984251412231. https://doi.org/10.1177/14687984251412231 Spencer Small Grant: Title: Becoming bilingual: Community-based design research with home daycare providers to assess early bilingual learning

Janet Bang

https://www.sjsu.edu/edd/

CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Spring 2026

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

🏆 Awards & Honors Publication: Chapter in a book: Leading with Corazon: A Latinas Journey Towards Equity and Cultural Humility Book Title: Strengthening Equitable Education Through Latina Leaders’ Perspectives Publisher: IGI Global Scientific Publisher Copyright date: 2025

Blanca Baltazar-Sabbah (Cohort 1)

Presentation: National Conference on Education in Nashville, TN: Session: Reimagining Educational Systems: From Insight to Impact Across PK-16 . A panel of Latina educational leaders featuring how they transformed educational ecosystems to center excellence, student success, and community grounded engagement.

Carrie Holmberg (Cohort 1)

Publication and Presentations: Duckor, B., & Holmberg, C. (2025). Five pillars of ethical AI use for teaching and learning. Phi Delta Kappan, 107(3–4), 14–18.

Holmberg, C & Duckor, B. (2026, April).

Measuring preservice teachers' beliefs about grading-as-feedback: Examining novice understandings in preservice settings. Paper session presented at the meeting of the American Educational Association, Los Angeles, California.

Holmberg, C & Duckor, B. (2026, April).

Secondary school teachers' narratives on AI's impact in everyday teacher. Roundtable presentation at the meeting of the American Educational Association, Los Angeles, California.

Venue / Publisher / Organization: AERA , Kappan

https://www.sjsu.edu/edd/

CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Spring 2026

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

🏆 Awards & Honors

Clara Fernandez (Cohort 1)

Promotion: Professional Growth Dr. Clara Fernández currently serves as Deputy Superintendent of Alisal Union School District, where she provides leadership and support across departments to ensure systems and practices meet the needs of every student. A Watsonville native, Dr. Fernández built her educational leadership career in Alisal, a community that has deeply shaped her as an educator and leader. Through her work in the district, she has developed a strong commitment to educational equity, collaboration, and student success. Her career spans multiple levels of education, including service as a principal at both the elementary and high school levels, as well as district leadership in Human Resources and Educational Services. These experiences have reinforced her belief in the power of public education to transform lives and strengthen communities.As Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Fernández is dedicated to fostering strong partnerships with families, staff, and the broader community to build on Alisal’s proud legacy and expand opportunities for all students to thrive.

Leslye Whitehead (Cohort 6)

Award: 10 years of faculty teaching and service to SJSU

https://www.sjsu.edu/edd/

CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Spring 2026

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

🏆 Awards & Honors

John Schilling (Cohort 3)

Schilling addressing Senators Schiff and Padilla during a California congressional coffee session.

Presentations The National School Leaders Advocacy Conference in partnership with The National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) are engaged in federal and state legislative advocacy in the critical times of educational funding decisions and bipartisan politics. A group of California leaders recently participated in the National School Leadership Advocacy Conference February 9th-11th in Washington, D.C. The advocacy work demonstrates a strong commitment to influencing education policy on behalf of California students, staff, and schools. Meeting with state legislators on Capitol Hill is a critical step in ensuring that the voices of leaders are heard, influencing the funding decisions that meet the unique needs of California’s education system. Included in the delegation navigating the chilly weather consisted was John Schilling, Ed.D. (Cohort 3), superintendent/principal, Southside Elementary School District, and ACSA Elementary Education Council President.

Quotes from Dr. Schilling “Overall, the National School Leaders Advocacy Conference was an amazing experience. We had the opportunity to speak with other school leaders from every state and collectively understand the impact of our educational concerns that we face. Working together, we were able to unify our voices and represent every state with consensus. My advice to all educators is to share your voice. Your experience and expertise allows you to give our legislators the confidence to vote the right way and ensure that schools are given the priority they deserve. Don't take a back seat and let those with no experience in education determine your future as an educator and leader, this is your chance to help steer the ship in the right direction.”

Continued engagement in legislative advocacy is key in supporting positive change and securing necessary resources for educational systems in our state. The collaboration with state and national affiliates demonstrates the collective commitment to the challenges and opportunities within our educational system.

Photo: Dr. Schilling addressing senators Schiff and Padilla during a California congressional coffee session.

https://www.sjsu.edu/edd/

CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Spring 2026

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

🏆 Awards & Honors

Anthony Oskar Alvarado (Cohort 8)

Award: Dr. Anthony Oskar Alvarado, principal of Ida Jew Academy and Valle Vista Elementary (IJAVVE), was recognized by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region 8 as the 2026 Professor of Education of the Year. In addition to leading a TK–8 school, Dr. Alvarado serves as an adjunct instructor at San José State University, where he teaches and mentors teacher candidates. Through this role, he connects practical school leadership with teacher preparation and has supported several aspiring educators who completed their student teaching and residency experiences at IJAVVE.

Harshdeep Singh Nanda (Cohort 8) Presentations I will be presenting at The Collective 2026 Annual Conference in Savannah, Georgia. My session is titled "Career Empowerment Faculty Innovators: A Cohort Model for Embedding Career Readiness Across Disciplines" Venue/Publisher/Organization: https://www.careerleadershipcollective.com/annualconference

https://www.sjsu.edu/edd/

CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Spring 2026

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

🏆 Awards & Honors

Nannette Regua Cohort 8

Appointment I was appointed to the Board of Directors for History San José

Abigail Smurr (Cohort 9 )

First Cohort of Leaders of the Valley in Fresno County of Education

Promotion & Appointment: Appointed as the Director for Title IX and DHR at CSU Monterey Bay

https://www.sjsu.edu/edd/

CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Spring 2026

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

🏆 Awards & Honors

Kaci Turpin (Cohort 10) Award/Honor: Kaci was nominated for the CSU Fong & Fetterly Awards for outstanding individual contributions at CSUMB. This award celebrates equity-driven leadership and a student-centered commitment to student success, each award shines a light on staff members whose work has a profound impact on our university community, elevating their stories and highlighting the vital role they play as the heart of the CSU.

Phoebe Paxton (Cohort 10)

Award/Honor: The A.S. Global Scholar Award is a meritbased scholarship for matriculated students. It recognizes students with strong community involvement and a passion for exploring international cultures.

The A.S. Global Scholar Award is administered by the Associated Students of SJSU.

https://www.sjsu.edu/edd/

CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Spring 2026

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

🏆 Awards & Honors

Amanda Yvette Olivas (Cohort 11)

Publications, Presentations, Awards/Honors, Appointments: UPCEA Annual Conference: Higher Education in 2026: Aligning Policy and Practice to Create Learner Access Moderating a strategic discussion focused on exchanging insights, sharing resources, and identifying effective approaches for navigating a rapidly evolving higher education landscape. The session explores how institutions are reframing language and practices to better engage today’s diverse and multifaceted learners, examines emerging perspectives and constraints shaping institutional efforts under current directives, and considers strategies to advance engagement, access, and opportunity within shifting institutional and national contexts. The discussion fosters shared learning, peer support, and collaborative problem-solving among professionals addressing similar challenges.

Serves as the Inaugural President of Latinx Unidos, an Employee Resource Group Community (ERGC) at the CSU Office of the Chancellor. Latinx Unidos fosters a culture of belonging and professional growth among employees interested in Latinx and Hispanic cultures through shared learning, community engagement, and meaningful dialogue. The ERGC is grounded in the values of familismo (community), respeto (respect), orgullo (pride), liderazgo (leadership), and educación (growth and lifelong learning), advancing connection, cultural affirmation, and leadership development across the organization.

Recognized as January’s Leader of the Month in UPCEA’s Marketing, Enrollment Management, and Student Success (MESS) national newsletter. This monthly publication is distributed to more than 150 higher education institutions and reaches over 10,000 members nationwide. The feature highlighted service as Vice Chair of Engagement and Opportunity within UPCEA, underscoring leadership contributions and impact within the field of professional, continuing, and online education.

Appointed to a Chancellor’s Office workgroup charged with developing bylaws and an operational framework for the newly established pilot Employee Resource Group Community (ERGC). The workgroup is responsible for creating governance structures, defining roles and responsibilities, and establishing foundational policies to guide the implementation, sustainability, and long-term success of the ERGC across the CSU Office of the Chancellor.

Co-presented “Metrics Framework” and facilitated a question-and-answer session during ERGC Leaders Day for the Chancellor’s Office Employee Resource Group Community (ERGC). The presentation provided strategic guidance and clear performance metrics aligned with the CSU Strategic Plan, supporting accountability, assessment, and the longterm sustainability of the pilot initiative.

https://www.sjsu.edu/edd/

CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Spring 2026

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

🏆 Awards & Honors

Appointed to serve on the Graduate Student Advisory Council (GSAC) at San José State University as one of the representatives for Ed.D. doctoral students. The GSAC facilitates communication between graduate students and the College of Graduate Studies (CGS), providing diverse perspectives, feedback, and recommendations to enhance the academic experience and success of current and future graduate students.

This volunteer leadership role includes a year-long commitment, active participation in monthly council meetings, and serving as a liaison between graduate students and CGS. Responsibilities include providing informed feedback on policies, decisions, and practices affecting the graduate student community, and representing the interests, perspectives, and experiences of graduate and professional students within the Ed.D. program.

Invited to serve as the 2026-2027 Vice Chair of Engagement and Opportunity for UPCEA’s Marketing, Enrollment Management, and Student Success (MESS) Network. In this national leadership role, she will serve in dual capacities: as a member of UPCEA’s Engagement and Opportunity Committee, a formal Board committee charged with advancing diversity and inclusive excellence across the association—and as a member of the MESS Network Leadership Team. She will be inducted and recognized at UPCEA’s upcoming annual national conference, marking the beginning of her official leadership term, and will represent the California State University (CSU) system in this capacity.

The UPCEA Engagement and Opportunity Committee advances the association’s commitment to broad institutional representation across all sectors of higher education, inclusive membership and leadership reflective of diverse identities and lived experiences, partnerships aligned with expanding access to higher education, and programming that embodies inclusive excellence.

The MESS Network Leadership Team, comprised of Chairs, Vice Chairs, and At-Large members, engages professionals nationwide in strengthening the competencies, strategies, and leadership practices necessary to attract, enroll, and support students in adult, professional, continuing, and online education. The network emphasizes both foundational best practices and innovative approaches emerging within and beyond higher education. Previously, she served in multiple leadership roles within the UPCEA MESS Conference Planning Committee and as Past Co-Chair of the national conference.

https://www.sjsu.edu/edd/

CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Spring 2026

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

🏆 Awards & Honors

Nha-Nghi Nguyen (Cohort 11) Award/Honors: Honor Society of Phi KAPPA Phi , Awarded the Phi Kappa Phi SJSU Chapter, Student Travel Award, Recipient of the 2026 for APAN's Excellence in Research & Scholarship award, Phi Kappa Phi Travel Grant Honoring 10 years anniversary with SJSU National Honor Society of Phi KAPPA Phi Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi of San Jose State University Chapter

Susan Blanco (Cohort 11) Presentations I presented on practical strategies to integrate language development with literacy development in the classroom at a webinar for the California Reading Association.

I presented a similar session at LitCon, the national conference of the Literacy Council of North America.

Venue / Publisher / Organization: California Reading Association and Literacy Council of North America

https://www.sjsu.edu/edd/

CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Spring 2026

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

🏆 Awards & Honors

Gianna Shields (Cohort 11) Presentations Shields, G. (2024, November 19). AI-mediated Teaching Framework [Lightning Talk]. AMTE Virtual Institute 2025.

Shields, G. (2024, November 20). AI-mediated lessons in preservice teacher education [Roundtable talk].

San Francisco State University, Graduate College of Education Research Roundtable, San Francisco, CA. Shields, G. (2026, February 4). Best practices for AI-mediated data science lessons in PK–5 mathematics classrooms [Poster presentation]. Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (AMTE) 2026 Annual Conference, Portland, OR. Shields, G. (2026, February 5). Best practices for AI-mediated data science lessons in PK–5 mathematics classrooms [Conference presentation]. Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (AMTE) 2026 Annual Conference, Portland, OR. Shields & Zuniga Ruiz. (2026, February 11). Bridging AI literacy and cultural sustenance: Strategies for teachers in AI-mediated lessons [Conference workshop]. National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) 2026 Annual Meeting & Exposition, Indianapolis, IN. Shields, G. (2026, February 12). A Teacher Learning Model for AI-mediated Lessons [Conference Workshop].

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) 2026 Annual Meeting & Exposition, Indianapolis, IN. Shields, G. (2026, February 28). Community Math Explorations [Conference Session]. First STEM Education Central Coast Conference, Santa Cruz, CA. Shields, G. (2026, February 28). Identity-Affirming Mathematics [Conference Session]. First STEM Education Central Coast Conference, Santa Cruz, CA. Shields, G. (2026, May 1). Using AI to Enhance Teaching and Learning [Guest lecture]. SPED 723: Student Teaching for Students with Extensive Needs, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA.

https://www.sjsu.edu/edd/

CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Spring 2026

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

🏆 Awards & Honors

Publications Seshadri Paravastu has published From Idea to Impact: An Interdisciplinary Guide to Modern Product Management (1st ed., 2026) with Kendall Hunt Publishing Company.

The book presents an integrated framework for modern product development, combining strategy, engineering, and experiential learning to guide students and professionals from concept to commercialization.

Paravastu, S. (2026). From idea to impact: An interdisciplinary guide to modern product management (1st ed.) [Ebook]. ISBN 9798385199716.

Seshadri Paravastu (Cohort 11)

Paper Presentations:: Seshadri Paravastu’s paper, “Evaluating the Impact of a Game-Based Hackathon on Cybersecurity and AI Confidence: A Quantitative Study with Exploratory Gender Analysis,” has been accepted for presentation at IEEE SoutheastCon 2026 under the Engineering Education track.

The conference is organized by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and accepted papers will be published in the IEEE Xplore Digital Library.

The study examines how experiential, game-based hackathons influence students’ confidence in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence concepts, with an exploratory analysis of gender-based differences in outcomes. The work contributes to ongoing research on experiential learning and cybersecurity education innovation. Seshadri Paravastu authored this paper along with our own Dr. Ferdinand Rivera, Dr. RajanSelvarajan Thirumalai Thattai (CSU Easy bay), and Dr. Melody Moh

Thanh Van Thai (Cohort 11) Award/Honor: Phi Kappa Phi - Membership Term: 2/1/2026 - 1/31/2027

https://www.sjsu.edu/edd/

CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Spring 2026

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

🏆 Awards & Honors

Awards/Honors: I received the ACPA Annuit Coeptis: Emerging Professionals award recognition. This award recognizes 5 early career professionals for their contribution to the field of Higher Education through administrative service, conference presentations, professional association service, and/or leadership

Blanca Moncada (Cohort 12)

Award Recipient: ACPA Latinx Network Outstanding New Professional This award recognizes an outstanding new professional in the field of student affairs and higher education that has contributed in various ways to the student culture on and off-campus. This professional has made a commitment to the long-term enhancement of the Latinx Community.

Promoted to Lecturer C San Jose State University Communication Studies

https://www.sjsu.edu/edd/

CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Spring 2026

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

🏆 Awards & Honors

New appointment VanNessa Hulme Silberman has been appointed Executive Director of Cantabile Youth Singers of Silicon Valley following a national search. An accomplished arts administrator, educator, and director, she brings three decades of experience leading student-centered programs, producing large-scale performances, and advancing innovative and equitable arts programs. She began her new role in January 2026, where she will help guide the organization’s strategic vision and growth, with a focus on expanding access and community involvement.

VanNessa Hulme Silbermann (Cohort 12)

Spike Osorio (Cohort 12)

Key Note Speaker: Key note speaker for the Stars of Tomorrow gala for Alpha Public Schools.

https://www.sjsu.edu/edd/

CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

2025 EdD Holiday Party

https://www.sjsu.edu/edd/

CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

AERA Conference 2026

https://www.sjsu.edu/edd/

CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

2026 Spring Community Get Together and Graduation Lunch

https://www.sjsu.edu/edd/

CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

2026 Spring Community Get Together and Graduation Lunch

https://www.sjsu.edu/edd/

CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Message from the EdD Alumni Network AERA Conference 2026 A dedicated group of alumni from the San José State University Doctor of Education (EdD) program has established a formal alumni network through the SJSU Alumni Association to strengthen and sustain connections within our scholarly community. Grounded in a shared commitment to educational leadership, equity, and lifelong learning, the EdD Alumni Network was created to support current candidates, reconnect graduates, and cultivate meaningful professional relationships across cohorts. The network serves as a platform for collaboration, mentorship, and the exchange of ideas, ensuring that the impact of the EdD program extends well beyond graduation.

As the program continues to grow, so does the opportunity for alumni engagement and leadership. The network is actively seeking to expand its leadership team and welcomes alumni who are eager to contribute their expertise, vision, and service to advancing the program’s mission. By joining the leadership group, members play an essential role in mentoring emerging leaders, strengthening professional networks, and helping shape the future direction of our expanding EdD community.

Please follow the attached link: Click here

https://www.sjsu.edu/edd/

CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

RISING SPRING 2026

https://www.sjsu.edu/edd/

CONNIE L. LURIE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION