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If interested in becoming more involved with DSPSA at the Warner School of Education and Human Development, let us know! Always looking for volunteers and individuals to support our programming. Below, you will find more information about the founders of DSPSA (created in 2019).
Current Members:
Michelle Heckman
Michelle Heckman is a Ph.D. student in Teaching and Curriculum. She has a BA degree in political science and history, an MS degree in TESOL k-12, and additional certification in Literacy birth-12. Prior to starting the PhD program, she worked as a literacy specialist and ESOL teacher at the elementary and middle school levels. Her research interests include English Language Learners and mindfulness. She currently works as a research assistant for Dr. Daley on a project investigating motivation among adolescent students with learning disabilities in the sciences.
Laurie Leo
Laurie Leo is a Ph.D. student in Human Development. She has a BS degree in accounting, an MBA degree in finance and economics, and additional certifications in strategic management and executive coaching. Her professional career began in public accounting and has taken her through various roles in large multinational companies, several small companies, non-profit organizations, a privately owned business, and a publicly owned equipment finance company. She enjoys contributing to the creation and execution of an organization’s strategies for profitable growth. Laurie currently serves as Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer for Roberts Wesleyan University and Northeastern Seminary. Her research interests include psychological safety and trust, and how leaders create healthy work environments.
Brandon Qualls
Brandon Qualls (he, him) is a part-time Ph.D. student in Human Development at the Warner School of Education. He has a BA degree in Political Science and International Studies and an MPA degree in Public Administration. Brandon works full-time as the Coordinator of the Clinical Nursing Research Center at Strong Memorial Hospital. In addition, he holds a Research Associate faculty appointment at the University of Rochester School of Nursing. His research interests include how Ronald McDonald Houses influence hospitalized neonates and their families.
Becca Rosen
Becca Rosen (she, her) is a Ph.D. student in Teaching and Curriculum at the Warner School of Education. Before pursuing doctoral studies at Warner, she was a museum educator at the Guggenheim Museum and the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City. Her research interests include social studies education, teachers’ pedagogical reasoning and decision-making practices, and the teaching and learning of difficult historical content.
Fei Shi
Fei Shi is a full-time doctoral student in the Higher Education Administration program at Warner School of Education. She has two BS degrees (Accounting & Finance, Management) and an MBA degree concentrate in Marketing. She worked as a Tax Accountant, Project Coordinator, and Administrator in the business world for several years. But work in higher education and serve students has been her dream for a long time. Her research interests include international student supporting, career development consulting, and international alumni alliance.
Former Members:
Eleni Duret
Eleni Duret (she, her) is a Ph.D. student in Teaching and Curriculum and Change at the Warner School of Education and Human Development. Prior to moving to Rochester from Los Angeles, Eleni facilitated learning experiences for k-12 youth and teachers with the national after school college preparation program, College Track, and at the J. Paul Getty Museum. She currently develops professional development courses and opportunities for K-12+ educators utilizing the visual arts as a tool for examining racism and dismantling our individual acts of White Supremacy. Her research is grounded in Positive Creative Youth Development and Critical Race Theory as she seeks to understand how adolescents experience identity development and expression.
Saliha Al
Saliha Al is a Ph.D. student in the Teaching and Curriculum program at the Warner School of Education. She has a BS degree in Elementary Science Education and an MA degree in Math and Science Education. She taught science at the elementary level in Turkey and worked as a Student Success Advocate at MCC. Her research interest includes multicultural teaching practices of teacher candidates for equality in the learning environment. Currently, she is working as a volunteer in the DSPSA group as an Educational Program Guide.
Fatima Abou Nassif Mourad
Fatima Abou Nassif Mourad (she/her) is a Ph.D. student in Education Policy at the Warner School of Education. Before relocating to Rochester, she taught undergraduate courses for six years and helped establish the global engagement office at a university in Beirut. Her research interests center around equity issues in higher education.
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