About Me

I am an assistant professor in the School of Education and Human Development, Department of Leadership for Educational Organizations at the University of Colorado, Denver. I have a Ph.D. from the Pennsylvania State University in Educational Leadership with minors in Comparative International Education and Curriculum & Instruction. My research agenda has been shaped by my educational work as an international educator in the capacity of high school teacher, department chair, principal (K-12), and curriculum director.

My research explores the social, emotional, and cultural dynamics of urban and rural educational settings and their effects on school climate and school improvement utilizing qualitative and mixed methodologies. My work seeks to deepen our understanding of social and emotional learning (SEL) through lenses of intervention implementation, school improvement efforts, and preparation of school leaders to create spaces equitable for all where all could flourish utilizing policy as a lever for change and as a powerful context that shapes education at multiple levels of the system.

My research has been published in journals such as Journal of Educational Administration, Educational Management Administration and Leadership, International Journal of Leadership in Education, Education and Urban Society, Mindfulness, College Student Affairs Journal, and in practitioner outlets such as The Learning Professional and Education Canada.

I am currently (2022-2023) the outgoing program chair of Social Emotional Learning Special Interest Group (SIG), program chair of International Studies SIG, and chair of Leadership for School Improvement SIG under the American Educational Research Association (AERA).

I am also one of the co-editors of the book series, Educational Policy, and Leadership in the Middle East and North Africa. My co-edited book, titled, Supporting Leaders for School Improvement through Self-Care and Wellbeing will be out in 2023.