2025 Graduate Student Policy Seminar Presenters

Thank you to the presenters for the 2025 Graduate Student Policy Seminar!

Welcome

  • Leticia Tomas Bustillos
    Leticia Tomas Bustillos
    Senior Program Officer Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
    Speaker
  • Eric R Felix
    Eric R Felix
    Associate Professor San Diego State University
    Speaker

Opening Panel: Leaning into Uncertainty and Shifting Contexts

  • Robert Kelchen
    Robert Kelchen
    Professor University of Tennessee, Knoxville
    Facilitator
  • Dominique Baker
    University of Delaware
    Presenter
  • Daniel A. Collier
    Assistant Professor University of Memphis
    Presenter
  • Cecilia M Orphan
    Cecilia M Orphan
    Associate Professor, Higher Education University of Denver
    Presenter

Policy Research

  • Sarah S. Hurtado
    Assistant Professor University of Denver
    Presenter
  • Jacqueline Pedota
    Jacqueline Pedota
    Postdoctoral Associate The University of Texas at Austin
    Presenter
  • Kristine Jan Cruz Espinoza
    Kristine Jan Cruz Espinoza
    Assistant Professor California Lutheran University
    Presenter

Community Conversations

  • Rosa Maria Acevedo
    Rosa Maria Acevedo
    PhD Assistant Professor of Higher Education University of Pittsburgh
    Mentor
  • Eric R Felix
    Eric R Felix
    Associate Professor San Diego State University
    Mentor
  • Sosanya M. Jones
    Associate Professor Howard University
    Mentor
  • Christopher R. Marsicano
    Christopher R. Marsicano
    Associate Professor and Chair, Educational Studies Department Davidson College
    Mentor
  • Magdalena Martinez
    Associate Professor Rowan University
    Mentor
  • Raquel Muñiz
    Boston College
    Mentor
  • Rebecca Natow
    Rebecca Natow
    Associate Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Hofstra University
    Mentor
  • Paul G. Rubin
    Paul G. Rubin
    Assistant Professor University of Utah
    Mentor
  • Lauren M Shook
    Lauren M Shook
    Postdoctoral Researcher The University of Texas at El Paso
    Mentor

Policy Roundtables

  • Jinann Bitar
    Director of Higher Education Research & Data Analytics The Education Trust
    Speaker
  • Gregory DeSantis
    Gregory DeSantis
    Associate Vice President Jobs for the Future
    Speaker
  • Jill Dunlap
    Senior Director for Research, Policy, and Civic Engagement NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education
    Speaker
  • Kayla C. Elliott
    Director of Workforce Policy The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies
    Speaker
  • Angel De Jesus Gonzalez
    Assistant Professor California State University, Fresno
    Speaker
  • Zachary John Hyder
    Zachary John Hyder
    Post-Doctoral Research Fellow Tennessee State Collaborative on Reforming Educaiton
    Speaker
  • Andrea Rodriguez
    Program Officer, Transformation Networks (Postsecondary Success team) Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
    Speaker
  • Joanna Dolores Sanchez
    Program Manager Excelencia in Education
    Speaker
  • Katherine Valle-Palacios
    Senior Vice President of Public Policy Strada Education Foundation
    Speaker
  • Raymond Watson
    Raymond Watson
    Executive Director Center for Indigenous Peoples Rights
    Speaker

Where Do We Go From Here?

  • Heather Nicole McCambly
    University of Pittsburgh
    Speaker

CPPHE Engagement & Closing Remarks

  • Christopher R. Marsicano
    Christopher R. Marsicano
    Associate Professor and Chair, Educational Studies Department Davidson College
    Speaker
  • Leslie Gomez
    Graduate Assistant San Diego State University
    Presenter