Higher Ed Community Padlet by Ben Precourt https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu Introduce Yourself! Who are you? Where are you from? What are your academic interests? What are your passions/interests outside of education? (Upload a picture if you are comfortable) en-us 2021-09-15 16:23:42 UTC 2023-02-21 23:14:49 UTC hello@padlet.com Ben Precourt benprecourt https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1743339151 Hello! My name is Ben Precourt, and I am the new Coordinator for the GICE and Higher Education Concentrations. I am new to Harvard/Cambridge and excited to be working with forward-thinking, brilliant students and colleagues. I am a Midwesterner at heart and spent the last four years in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I graduated from Marquette University in May with a Masters in Education Policy.

I'm passionate about rural education issues, equitable college admissions and financial aid, and counteracting toxic masculinity. With equal passion, I love lemonade and public libraries. ]]> 2021-09-15 16:25:26 UTC https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1743339151 Erin Collins https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1747521586 Hi everyone! My name is Erin Collins and I am a full-time student in the ELOE program at HGSE. Originally from New York (born downstate, raised upstate, lived in NYC for many years post undergrad), I live in Walpole, MA (about 30'sh miles south of campus) with my husband Dave who is a nurse, our little ones Joshua (5 months old) and Charlotte (4 years old), and our two cats. Fun facts: Dave and I met while touring the country as professional actors, and I am a three-time Boston marathoner/charity runner who has raised over $60k for vital research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. 

Prior to starting at HGSE, I served as the Administrative Director of the Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness at Harvard Business School. I am grateful to be spending the next year immersed in the study of higher education, deepening my own connections with education, leadership, and impact while learning from the dedicated HGSE faculty and my bright minded and curious peers. I am particularly interested in college access and whether higher education institutions and professionals can play a larger role in helping to transform and influence how U.S. K-12 systems think about college preparation and access.

]]> 2021-09-17 02:18:36 UTC https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1747521586 John Anderson (he/him) https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1748565008 Hi, y'all! My name is John Anderson and I am originally from Richmond, VA, USA but come to HGSE's ELOE program from Washington, DC, where I had been for the past seven years. I got my BA from The College of William & Mary where I double-majored in music (concentrating in cello performance) and marketing. My professional experience is varied: I have worked in arts education, nonprofit + higher ed fundraising (including planned giving at Georgetown University), and have also picked up work in college admissions over the past several years. I have read admissions applications for a handful of schools (W&M, Yale-NUS College, UC San Diego) and scholarship organizations (QuestBridge, Point Foundation). I am going to be reading apps this year for Harvard Law School while interning at Harvard's Center for Education Policy Research, and also coach high school seniors through the undergraduate admissions process. After HGSE, I am most interested in pursuing full-time work in college admissions. Outside of school and work, I enjoy playing cello + piano, singing, marathon training, and volunteering with the Trevor Project. I live with my fiance(!) Scott in Central Square. Looking forward to learning with and from you all!]]> 2021-09-17 12:46:09 UTC https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1748565008 Abdelrahman Abouzid https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749165530

Hi! I am Abdelrahman Abouzid, and you can call me Zaid. I am an Ed.M student in the EPA Program, and I am currently in Cambridge, MA. I am Egyptian, and I moved to the U.S. from Doha, Qatar, where I grew up. I earned my B.Sc in Journalism and Strategic Communication from Northwestern University in Qatar, which shaped a lot of my intrests in marketing and public relations. I am excited to explore HE through analytical research lenses at HGSE to pursue a career in a HE institution.]]> 2021-09-17 16:34:59 UTC https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749165530 Jackie Morales https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749166966 My name is Jaqueline but you can call me Jackie. (ELOE) I was born in Mexico but raised in Los Angeles, California. I went to UC Santa Cruz in Northern California where I spent  most of my adulthood (almost 10 years). My first and last job after undergrad was at the Academic support program at UCSC where I coordinating tutoring and mentoring programs. As I took leadership in these programs, I noticed that I was lacking the ability to effectively assess programs for first generation and low-income students. I started to get curious about how we serve students, especially if our mission is to close equity gaps. I am privileged to be here and learning from my peers and faculty about issues in education and possible solutions. I know the work is long, which is why I am trying to soak in all I can during this short year. My interests are in first generation, low-income, latino students (since I identify with these populations). However, I am challenging myself to think about a broader scope of minority students and learning how to serve different groups of students. Fun fact is I have twin sisters and I am the eldest. ]]> 2021-09-17 16:35:35 UTC https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749166966 Tess Boyle https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749174351 Hi! I am a part-time student in the HDE program. I work within Alumni Affairs and Development at Harvard College where I am also a first-year adviser to several awesome Harvard first-years. 

I went to UNC-Chapel Hill (Go Heels!) for undergrad and, directly after graduating, I moved to Madrid, Spain where I taught English in a primary school for two years. 

Before shifting to higher ed work, I was in the publishing industry and love to read. 

A fun fact about me is that I got married during the first week of classes this semester  - so much excitement (and just a little bit of stress) all at once!! 

I live near Harvard Square and love to run along the Charles, try out new restaurants/ breweries/ coffee shops, and go to the Brattle Theatre whenever possible (love movies!!).]]> 2021-09-17 16:38:57 UTC https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749174351 Kendrick Backmon (He/Him) https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749174935 Hello, everyone! My name is Kendrick. I am happy to be part of this amazing community here at HGSE! I am passionate about studying civil rights, education law, and public policy. My primary focus for graduate study is examining and addressing de facto segregation in public higher education. Outside of work and school, I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I wish everyone a successful and wonderful academic year.]]> 2021-09-17 16:39:12 UTC https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749174935 Francesca Purcell https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749176682 Hi Everyone,
Welcome to our new Higher Education Concentration cohort and welcome back to our continuing Higher Education Program cohort!  No matter which cohort you're in, you are part of our Higher Education Community at HGSE!   

You already know a lot about my professional life so on the personal side, I live in Somerville MA with my wife, Sheryl, who works at MIT.  (She got her master's at HGSE!)  We have two dogs - Baci and Enzo.  When we're not working or talking about higher education, we are typically hiking or doing some sort of outdoor activity. I was raised in Queens, NY and still have family and friends there.   I am adopted and found my birth parents years ago so I also have family in California and England.  Really enjoying this academic year so far and looking forward to our continued good work together!]]> 2021-09-17 16:39:58 UTC https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749176682 Ellie Davis https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749176901 Hi All! My name is Ellie Davis, and I am a full time student in ELOE. I'm originally from Berkeley CA, but I've spent the last 9 years in St. Louis--Go Cards! I got my BA from Washington University in St. Louis, where I spent my time working in the admissions office and playing club soccer. I ended up continuing as a staff member in admissions post grad...and 5 years later, here I am! I am passionate about making admissions processes more equitable and more focused on non-cognitive evaluation tools.

Outside of the classroom I love all things food and drink, women's soccer (professional and international), and downhill skiing. I am SO EXCITED to finally be within driving distance of the mountains after a decade in the flat midwest, even if it does mean I'll have to ski the east :) ]]> 2021-09-17 16:40:04 UTC https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749176901 Sophia Gish (she/her) https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749179671 Hey everyone! My name is Sophia, and I'm in the HDE program full-time. I'm originally from MA, but I spent some time in France as a child for my parents' work, where I learned how to speak French. I have a writing/tutoring center background; I was a peer writing tutor as an undergrad, and prior to HGSE, I worked at a tutoring center at a small arts college in Denver, CO. I love supporting students' learning and development, including students who are not "traditional" college students (adults, first-generation students, etc.). I also have a TESOL certification, and I really enjoy working with multilingual students on their writing!

Before getting into the higher education space, I was pursuing an acting career in NY. I love hiking and spending time outdoors, lifting weights, working out, etc. I also love pizza, baked goods (really, any food). Lastly, fun fact: I'm getting married in a few short weeks on October 2! Really looking forward to getting to know you all :). ]]> 2021-09-17 16:41:17 UTC https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749179671 Sarah Kuczynski https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749180074 Hi everyone! My name is Sarah Kuczynski (kuh-zin-skee), and in the EPA program. I am originally from New Orleans--I am a so-called "Katrina kid" in fact. I went to undergrad at GWU and then did my PhD in English @ UNC - Chapel Hill. I loved synthesizing research for publications but I didn't love the fact that no one really reads journals any more and also that my work didn't really "do" anything in the real world. I also wanted to work more on nonacademic factors that were influencing student success in the college classrooms I taught in (vs. improving subject-specific mastery of content). I've worked in Academic Affairs at a large regional public for the last three years - mostly in direct service, coaching students on Academic Intervention due to Institutional GPA and then managing some professional and student staff. I'm particularly interested in college completion initiatives and was really excited to see the recent bill put up by Senator Heinrich (D-NM) that seeks to establish a national funding stream to incentive evidence-based completion programs in American colleges and universities. Outside of school I love to walk my dog, Azorka, do hot yoga, and pretend to know things about wine. ]]> 2021-09-17 16:41:28 UTC https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749180074 Lauren Barlow (she/her) https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749185331 Hello all! My name is Lauren Barlow, and I am originally from Olney, MD. After graduating from Swarthmore College in 2015, I moved to Chicago to work for the professional women’s soccer team, the Chicago Red Stars (with World Cup champs like Julie Ertz, Tierna Davidson, and Alyssa Naeher!)…if you want to chat women’s soccer, lmk!. After a few seasons, I went on to work as an Admission Counselor and Director of Black & African American Outreach in the UChicago Admissions Office.
 
Also in my move to Chicago, I took up running as a hobby (once I realized it wasn’t just a punishment losing a soccer game or showing up to practice late…turns out I like it!). Since, I’ve done eight half marathons, one marathon (the last few miles were a bit of a shuffle along…I think half marathons are more of my distance), and two triathlons. Other than that, I love tap dancing (something I did with my sister growing up), going to see theater (fierce supporter of the arts but lacked the talent to be a named character in my high school productions), and reading queer YA novels (seriously, the genre has exploded in the last 5 years…it’s amazing!). Also, I watch a fair amount of tv and love giving recommendations!
 
Academic interests: equity and access in higher education, particularly as it relates to Black and African American students. 
 
I’ve already really loved getting to know folks over the past few weeks and I look forward to the year to come! (Also, I’m on the left…couldn’t cut my sister out...she's my bestie despite her graduate school allegiance) :)
]]> 2021-09-17 16:43:54 UTC https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749185331 Karin Beecher https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749187496 Hi! I'm Karin Beecher & I'm in the ELOE program. I am excited to be a part of this community because I have wanted to study for my Master's for a while. I did operational & strategic consulting to colleges & universities for a long time for PwC. I tried to make them run more efficiently . . . . I've also done work with the local school district & the charter school movement. I'm interested in college access for low-income students. 

I live in Newton with my husband & two daughters (though one is in college). When I'm not studying I love having dinner with friends, yoga, baking, & skiing :) Can't wait to get to know you all better!]]> 2021-09-17 16:44:54 UTC https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749187496 Arly Macario (She/her) https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749188310 Hello everyone! My name is Arly Macario (She/her), I was born and raised in MA, just an hour north of Boston in Gloucester. I'm Guatemalan, so shoutout to the Central Americans in the room! I'm currently in the ELOE program as a full-time student and I look forward to getting to know y'all. My interests lie in serving underrepresented students in higher education, specifically low-income, first-generation students from immigrant backgrounds. I'm also interested in working with families and including them in the process of higher education. Prior to HGSE, I did City Year Boston in a 4th-grade classroom and did college access at a non-profit supporting low-income first-generation through the college application process and helping them get into institutions where they will have minimal to no debt. Some fun things I enjoy - is going to the movies, drinking coffee, hiking, camping, and spending time with my family :)]]> 2021-09-17 16:45:17 UTC https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749188310 Priya Malhotra https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749194514 Hi everyone- great to meet y'all virtually. I am currently in Cambridge and studying under the ELOE program. My hometown is Atlanta, GA but I've spent the last few years in Washington D.C. and Chicago. My background is in college access, higher education consulting, and education technology- different means to achieve similar goals around student success and retention through college. I am currently working for EAB, a DC-based company as a product manager to ensure that the latest technologies that institutions are using continue to meet the needs of their school and students. I am hoping to use this year to understand how we can best support students in obtaining the learning and training that they need to support their future career goals. I am particularly interested in the needs of marginalized and fringe populations, and want to explore the role that institutions can play in redesigning their support services to align with a wider breadth of students needs and the role that supplemental and external programming has in supporting these needs.]]> 2021-09-17 16:48:04 UTC https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749194514 Cecily Spindel https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749197316 Hi! My name is Cecily Spindel. I'm in the HDE program and so excited to also concentrate in higher education. I just moved to Somerville in August. I grew up in Bethesda, MD and attended Emory University for undergrad. After graduating from Emory, I stayed in Atlanta for three more years, working as an undergraduate admission counselor for Emory. I loved my job and hope to remain in the realm of college admission, enrollment management, and college counseling in the future. I'm interested in finding ways that we can reduce the stress of the college application process for students and create a more human-centered process.

Outside of school and work, I like to run, cook, bake, do yoga, and I'm a huge Ben Platt/musical theater fan.]]> 2021-09-17 16:49:19 UTC https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749197316 Sarah Neuberger (she/her) https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749229769 Hi! My name is Sarah Neuberger and I’m a full-time student in the HDE program. I recently moved to Cambridge from Washington, DC, where I worked as the Experiential Learning Coordinator at a middle and high school. I previously spent two years in Bolivia and Argentina teaching English in higher ed environments.

After HGSE, I’m interested in working in the field of engaged learning and outside-of-the-classroom learning experiences—like community engagement, public service, and global education—for college students.

I love listening to audiobooks/podcasts, taking walks, playing guitar, and meeting new people. I’m from Minnesota originally and am happy to give tips for taking on the upcoming winter months!
]]> 2021-09-17 17:04:01 UTC https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749229769 Kailee Traficante (she/her) https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749235980 Hi everyone! My name is Kailee Traficante, and I am a student in the EPA program! I am originally from a small rural town outside of Scranton, PA, but I am coming to the Boston-Cambridge area from Chicago where I worked as an academic coach at a college access program. I am really interested in how we can help students transition from K-12 to higher ed and the workforce from a policy perspective. While at Harvard this year I will be working in admissions at Harvard Divinity School, and I just started volunteering as a mentor at a local college access program (Minds Matter Boston). I live in Beacon Hill with my boyfriend(our apartment is practically in the Massachusetts State House). Like many others here, I love to run. I ran Division I track/cross country in college, but trying to get back into it now :) I also love to cook and try to make at least one new recipe a week.



]]> 2021-09-17 17:06:58 UTC https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749235980 Jen Casebeer Blum https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749242368 Hi all! I'm Jen and I'm in the ELOE program. I'm from California (originally East Bay, but just moved after 10 years in San Francisco). I now live in Cambridge with my husband, Matt, and our cat, Edward Kittenhands (feel free to call him Eddie :)). 

I spent the last 6.5 years working at Stanford, first in visitor relations for 6 months (former student tour guide here, I'm sure there are lots of us!) and then in various aspects of undergraduate admission. I'm likely to stay in admissions after school, but open to student services and finding other ways of supporting students. I'm interested in college access, enrollment management, asking tough questions about the hows and whys of admission and application processes, supporting students in that transition from high school to college, and  finding ways to make universities more collaborative and interconnected.

Outside of work, I love to bake (pies, layer cakes, recently bread/bagels), travel, read, hike, explore new cities through restaurants, bars, museums. Love a walking tour. Before working in education, I used to work at a stationery company. So always happy to talk paper products and school supplies. I'm excited to get to you know all this year! ]]> 2021-09-17 17:09:57 UTC https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749242368 Emily Fingerle (she/her) https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749394857 Hello everyone! My name is Emily, and I am a second year part-time student in the higher education program. I've been working full-time the past few years as a Financial Aid Officer at Harvard's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. I love study abroad, global education, and academic resource center related matters. Outside of work/school, I am passionate about staying active! I love hiking, biking, running, traveling, dancing, playing tennis, practicing my Spanish, and trying new things. Hit me up to explore the greater Boston area @emily_fingerle@fas.harvard.edu :) ]]> 2021-09-17 18:24:00 UTC https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749394857 Adrian Vega adrianvega7 https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749411947 Hey y'all! I'm Adrian (he/they), and I'm in the ELOE program. I was born and raised in the Bay Area, having lived all across the Bay. I was lucky enough to grow up on the Point Reyes National Seashore, and I still consider it my favorite place in the world. I'm now living in Cambridge with my partner of 4 years.

I did my undergrad at Stanford University, where I majored in Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. While there, I got to work in a variety of higher ed positions, including admissions (with our very own Jen Casebeer!!) and residential life, as well as partnering with national LGBTQ+ non-profits (such as The Trevor Project and GLAAD) to improve their connections to young activists.

Before HGSE, I worked as a Post-Secondary Success Coordinator at a national non-profit, specifically working as a mentor and advisor to 100 first-generation, low-income students of color as they navigate the transition into post-secondary. Getting to talk to badass young people all day long was a dream come true, but I came to HGSE to find ways of working with marginalized students to improve their experience in higher education.

While at HGSE, I'm interning at the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, supporting their recruiting, admissions, and student support efforts.

Outside of school and work, I am an avid fan of reality TV (currently invested in Big Brother 23 while I wait for the new season of Drag Race UK to start up), queer YA literature (my goal is to have a small library's worth of YA books), and chasing the feeling of nostalgia (currently/permanently on a disco-era binge).

]]> 2021-09-17 18:33:31 UTC https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749411947 Loyola Rankin (she/her) https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749515944 Yá'át'ééh! I am from Coyote Canyon, NM and am attending HGSE from Albuquerque, NM. I am a returning part-time student, fully online. I have worked in the in the Higher Education field for 10 years within Native American communities in the areas of access and student support. ]]> 2021-09-17 19:38:07 UTC https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749515944 Angie Estevez Prada (she/her) https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749526992 Hi Everyone! My name is Angie Estevez Prada and I am the ELOE program. Originally from Colombia, I moved to rural North Carolina at a young age. (Go Heels!) I've lived in the Boston area for the past three years and I adore exploring the various neighborhoods and communities.  So much so that I have created a map of all of my favorite places in the area so far! (Link if you're curious- it's a work in progress). 

I went to Cornell University for my undergrad where I studied Industrial and Labor Relations with minors in Inequality Studies, Latinx Studies, and Law & Society. It was at Cornell that I found my passion for creating more equitable spaces with higher education, especially as queer woman of color.  While there, I was also heavily involved in the Marching/Pep Band (huge Hockey fan here).  Professionally, I have worked at Dartmouth College as an Assistant Director of Admissions on the Access team where I oversaw our visitation program for low income, first generation, students of color. Before HGSE, I worked as a College Access Manager and Manager of Scholar Recruitment at Thrive Scholars, a local community based organization. There I worked to refine my skills as a counselor while continuing to advocate for low income, first generation, students of color, all while learning far too much about the latest TikTok trends. 

In the future I want to continue to do work in DEI within higher education or adjacent to it! 

On a casual note, please don't hesitate to reach out if you love board games, murder mysteries, women's soccer, or have tips for a new plant mom. (If my Monstera dies so will I). 

Looking forward to chatting/meeting you all! 

]]> 2021-09-17 19:45:47 UTC https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749526992 Alexis Redding (she/her) https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749538686 Hi Everyone! So thrilled to have a chance to get to know you all a bit better via our community Padlet. I am really looking forward to the year ahead!

Work Me: I'm a developmental psychologist who studies the college experience and am lucky enough to be part of the HEC Team as well as on the ELOE Core Faculty. I spend a lot of time thinking about how students experience college (and grad school) and how to offer supports that help people thrive. When I am not teaching (H205/A727/A740A), I am working on two research projects: one looking at college orientations and the other examining the experience of growing up across generations.

Non-Work Me: A Michigander by birth, I feel most at home here in Boston/Cambridge and am so glad that many of you will have a chance to explore the area during your time on campus or when you come for a visit. If you're looking for good walking paths nearby or the location of hidden reading nooks around the Square, let me know!]]> 2021-09-17 19:54:45 UTC https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749538686 Noa Maltzman https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749553824 Hi Everyone! My name is Noa Maltzman, and I am a returning part-time student in the higher education program. I am currently located in Washington, DC. I have lived here my entire life except for four years during college when I lived in Upstate NY (30 minutes north of Albany and 30 minutes south of the Adirondack mountains) and attended Skidmore College. Since graduating from Skidmore I have worked for College and Career Programs in the District of Columbia Public Schools Central Office. I first worked on the College Prep team and now work for the Data and Strategy team both within College and Career Programs.  I am really interested in the intersection between PK-12 and higher education, helping students get into and through college and reducing barriers and access to higher education! 

Outside of work I enjoy spending time outdoors (hiking, biking, swimming, etc.) and I am always on the hunt for the best cup of iced coffee in DC. If you ever come to DC and want some coffee recommendations (or recommendations for other fun things to do) feel free to reach out! ]]> 2021-09-17 20:06:50 UTC https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749553824 Lauren McLeese https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749634666 Hi everyone! My name is Lauren McLeese and I am a full-time student in the ELOE program. I recently graduated from San Diego State University (Class of 2020) with a BA in Psychology. Within my time at SDSU, I worked as an academic advisor for the Psychology department and I served on the College of Sciences Council advocating for students in STEM. I also have 5 years of research experience working in the Motivation and Social Identity Lab where I contributed to designing, testing, and implementing educational interventions. I am passionate about continuing my work in Higher Education, but am unsure what direction to take post-grad  (I.e., admissions, administration, policy, leadership). P.s. if you have previously worked in Higher Ed or have insights into different career paths please come talk to me! I am all ears!

Outside of the classroom, I love exploring with friends and am working diligently to check some stuff off my Boston bucket list! I pride myself on being a “yes” person so if you want to go on an adventure, I am down. I also enjoy running, reading, going to concerts (indie, alternative, and rock are my jam) and FaceTiming family. 

Media: I have recently become obsessed with Love Island UK and just started watching the new season (no spoilers!). For a laugh, I listen to the TMG podcast with Cody Ko and Noel Miller, but love a good crime podcast too. My favorite movie of all time is Good Will Hunting (ironic) - Sidenote: I would say the Lorax is my favorite movie, but I cry and have an existential crisis every time I watch it. 

Looking forward to getting to know you all more! Feel free to follow me on instagram: Lauren_mcleese (personal) Laur.seminar (academic)  
]]> 2021-09-17 21:17:03 UTC https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749634666 Cori Splain (she/her) cnzeman https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749662494 Hi Everyone! My name is Cori Splain and I am a continuing part-time student in the Higher Education Program. I am currently located in Madison, WI. I am a proud transfer student who spent many years at a community college before transferring to the University of Wisconsin-Madison where I received my Bachelors in Anthropology with a Certificate in Gender & Women's Studies. I have worked for UW-Madison for about 10 years now and am currently in the Division of Enrollment Management (although most of my career has been in financial aid). I'm particularly passionate about basic needs supports for college students, access to higher education for historically underserved youth, and incorporating trauma-informed practice in higher education spaces. 

Outside of work and school, I am a parent to the two kiddos in the photo Danika (10) and Damien (9). This photo is from 2019 though as it's been hard to get family photos during the pandemic. I enjoy reading, listening to all kinds of music, leisurely bike rides, and watching all types of professional sports (I'm a Chicago Bears, New York Mets, Milwaukee Bucks, and Colorado Avalanche fan). My son is in competitive gymnastics so I also spend an inordinate amount of time at the gym watching him master his moves. 🤸‍♀️🤸‍♀️ 

For the pet lovers, I have two cats: Brando & Mercury. My favorite thing about the HGSE Slack channels are seeing photos of folks' pets. Maybe we can do a pet photo padlet someday. 🐱🐶]]> 2021-09-17 21:45:55 UTC https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749662494 Abigail Anderson abigailsussman https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749672218 Hi, friends! I'm Abigail, a second-year, part-time student in the Higher Education Program.
-I have lived in: Williamstown, MA; Troy, NY; Waterville, ME (GO MULES!); London, England; Portland, OR; and now Rochester, NY!
-I spent six years working in admissions; first at an all-girls boarding school, then at a small liberal arts college.
-For the last six years, I've worked in college counseling/educational consulting for Bright Horizons College Coach; we provide free college counseling to nearly 300k families/year as well as have a small private practice.
-I love my job, so can't imagine leaving, but am also always learning more about this wide field that intrigues me. The power of education is real, y'all!
-You will (almost) always see me working from my home office, and you will often see my sheepadoodle, Maisie, behind me.
 -My partner is an PGY4 orthpaedic surgery resident, so that's one reason we move so much! 
-I absolutely LOVE to: cycle (I just did my longest ride ever at 70 miles!), go to barre and yoga classes, read popular fiction, drink beer (#teamhazyipa), and needlepoint. ]]> 2021-09-17 21:57:10 UTC https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1749672218 Mike Sotsky https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1750351431 Hi all - my name is Mike Sotsky (he/him/his) and I am a part-time student in the ELOE program as well as an assistant coach for the men’s basketball team at Harvard! I currently reside in Allston, MA, but grew up in Wyckoff, NJ. Last year was a bit strange for me, as our team did not have a season due to the pandemic. As a result, I took a couple of classes at HGSE in the fall (Critical Race Theory in Education and The Future of Higher Education w Prof. Purcell), and fell in love with the content and cohort. So, here I am to complete my degree and to learn more! In addition to HGSE and coaching, I am a huge movie buff, love to read (mostly non-fiction), and my pandemic hobby has been learning how to golf (still trying to break 100, but getting close). I am also now obsessed with Blue Bikes! If I can be helpful when it comes to information about the area or life in Boston/Cambridge, don't hesitate to reach out (msotsky@fas.harvard.edu). Look forward to connecting with each of you over the course of the semester! ]]> 2021-09-18 12:34:28 UTC https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1750351431 Myrtha Ortiz Villar (she/they) mortizvillar1 https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1754768367 Hi all, I am Myrtha (pronounced MEE-R-TA) and I am first-generation grad student originally from Los Angeles. I now call the Bay Area home and was very sad to leave for this year. But I am really enjoying my time in Somerville since moving. 

I am in the ELOE program. I am interested in doing research and/or consulting after my time at HGSE. I have a lot of experience building programs in partnership with universities, non-profit organizations, and public entities (cities, states, etc.) to support college access and retention of low-income, students of color. I also have a career coaching business where I provide 1on1 coaching to young professionals and work with organizations to develop PD for their young employees (particularly in AmeriCorp spaces). I want to keep working at intersection of professional development, higher education, and change management while creating access and equity for communities of color. 

Outside of work/educational interests, I enjoy cooking a lot, coffee, sweets, and being outdoors. I really enjoy what I call "urban hikes" so taking the time to be outdoors and exploring cities. I have a geography undergrad degree so I do geek out about maps, cities, regional cultures, etc. Lastly, my partner and I love watching reality TV. I saw someone post about big brother and happy to be able to bring that guilty pleasure into this bio because I LOVE big brother!! I also have watched grey's anatomy twice (I know, where do I find the time) and enjoy murder crime shows!! 

Excited to be in community with you all this year!!  ]]> 2021-09-20 17:13:41 UTC https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1754768367 Anabella Morabito (she/her) https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1758023788 Hola! My name is Anabella Morabito (she/her) and I am a second year part-time student in the Higher Ed program. I currently live in Worcester (MA) with my spouse, Daniel. I was born in Venezuela but moved to South Florida when I was 8 y/o. I went to University of Miami for undergrad, and got a Bachelors in Religious Studies and Human & Social Development. I moved to Boston in 2014 to purse a Master's degree at Boston College in Theology & Ministry, with a concentration on Latinx ministry. Although I am deeply rooted in theology and ministry, I found very quickly that I did not want to work in the institutional church so I ended up working as a campus minister. In my work as a campus ministry I fell in love with Student Affairs and DEI work. Until recently I served as Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at Regis College. This past week, I transitioned from Student Affairs to DEI and I now serve as Senior Manager for EDI Community Engagement at Harvard's Office of Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging. I am thrilled to be finishing my degree at HGSE and while working at Harvard this year. I think there will be tons of overlap and synergy between those two experiences. 

Some personal hobbies and interests include:
- Cooking delicious meals at home
- Finding some trees to hang my hammock on and read a good book
- Sitting in the sun and just basking in it (like a plant, but with complicated emotions!)
- Swimming & Indoor cycling
- Exploring breweries, distilleries, or wineries in the area
- Playing with puppies (other people's, until I get one)
- Spending time with family & loved ones (most of my family is scattered throughout the world, so I travel a lot to make that happen)
- As aforementioned, traveling! 
- Listening to music (mostly in Spanish) and dancing

I am so excited to get to know the cohort, and I thank Ben and team for putting together this awesome Padlet!]]> 2021-09-21 17:55:27 UTC https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1758023788 Mason Hill https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1764284358 Hi friends! My name is Mason Hill (he/him) and I’m a continuing part-timer in the Higher Education Program. 

I’m originally from Los Angeles, California but am currently based in Brisbane, Australia. I completed my Bachelor’s degree at UC Santa Barbara where I double majored in Communication and Psychology and minored in Music, and stayed at UCSB as an Admissions Officer post-graduation. I was in the world of admissions for 3 years before I left the states in 2017, became a certified English instructor in Costa Rica, traveled and taught English (mostly through Europe) for the next year, and settled down in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in 2018. Once settled, I started consulting for US university admissions and came to Australia for a personal holiday in Feb 2020. 

When the world locked down, I decided to stay in Aus and make it work in a new geographic location and jumped at the opportunity to attend Harvard virtually. In the Higher Ed space, I enjoy consulting and am increasingly more interested in holistic coaching practices for students and educators. Harvard’s been a great step on my path to starting my own business or non-profit in the space between K-12 and university, and I look forward to meeting more of you this coming year! 

Outside of work and school, I enjoy traveling, cooking, hiking, scuba diving, theater, escape rooms, roller coasters, Ru Paul’s Drag Race, Survivor, singing in the shower, and consensually petting stranger's dogs on the street. ]]> 2021-09-24 00:16:33 UTC https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1764284358 Redjan Quarto (she/they) pepbalboa2021 https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1765763964 Hi y'all! I'm Redjan (red-jawn), she/they. I was born and raised in Stockton, CA and have lived in the Bay Area for the last 7 years. I studied Public Health and Asian American & Asian Diaspora Studies at UC Berkeley. After graduating in 2018, I went into college affordability advising at a nonprofit called uAspire and taught Ethnic Studies to K-12 students through the Pin@y Educational Partnerships in San Francisco. 

I am in the HDE program and am doing my graduate assistantship at Harvard College's Dean of Students Office, specifically in the Student Engagement Office where I support first-year student and family programs such as Orientation and Family Weekend. I am most interested in supporting first-generation students of color in their development, building critical consciousness and community care, and bringing social justice and positive change to their communities as they go through college and after they graduate. 

I enjoy exploring food spots, healing practices (I have tried community cleanses and ancestral healing spaces), live music (pre-pandemic, I enjoyed Sol Blume, Lights On, and Audiotistic in NorCal) listening to true crime podcasts (I recommend Rotten Mango, the podcaster also does mukbang and true crime YouTube vids), bullet journaling, and reading (I just finished Afterparties by Anthony Veasna So!). 
]]> 2021-09-24 14:06:53 UTC https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1765763964 Jingyi Xu https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1767710343 Hi! My name is Jingyi Xu (she/her/hers) and I am in the Human Development and Education program.

I am an international student from Beijing, China. I was born in Hengshui, a city that is famous for its wine and its high enrollment rates into the top universities in China. I moved to Beijing with my family when I was six. I went to Boston College Lynch School of Education and Human Development for college and majored in Applied Psychology & Human Development and Economics. Experiencing the educational systems of different parts of the world, I developed an interest in higher education. Particularly, I am passionate about the intersection of higher education and the labor market, since my mom's business is about vocational education and the partnership between employers and schools.

Outside of school, I like cooking and playing the piano. I also enjoy going to theaters and any other live performances (concerts, musicals, etc.). Now I live alongside the Charles River, so I developed a new hobby of sitting by the winder and staring at the river in still.]]> 2021-09-25 19:31:49 UTC https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1767710343 Courtney Baker (she/her/hers) courtney_baker4 https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1809548245 Hi all - my name is Courtney and I am a part-time student in the EPA program. I worked in University advancement for the past 3 years and I'd like to focus on DEI funds and scholarships. I moved from Providence, RI but I am originally from the boonies of NY (not the cool part). Looking forward to seeing you all around and in classes. ]]> 2021-10-12 03:44:33 UTC https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1809548245 Manaf Mansure (he/him/his) https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1823225968 Hi there! My name is Manaf Mansure and I am a continuing part-time student in the Higher Education program. I live in San Jose, CA in the San Francisco Bay Area with my amazing other half and a 10-minute drive from my sister, brother-in-law, and two amazing nieces. For the past 7+ years, I've worked at Stanford University. I currently work on strategic initiatives related to event, content, and volunteer, and outreach strategies for the university's development office. My nearly 15 years in the field include experience in predominantly alumni relations and development with significant time spent in career services, student activities, and first year experience and transitioning student programs in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and New York. With down time, I enjoy cooking, watching way too much television, hiking and working out, and random excursions with my friends. Very delighted to be part of this community and truly loving every moment of HGSE! ]]> 2021-10-18 05:01:05 UTC https://padlet.com/benprecourt/5sdz0fc02afgwctu/wish/1823225968