Current Students
Aaron Schwind
Aaron J. Schwindt is a doctoral student in the School of Education at Louisiana State University. He has worked as a teacher and administrator in K-12 career and technical education and adult workforce training programs
Circe Bridges
Circe Bridges is a Louisiana native and has taught in the Baton Rouge and surrounding areas for the past 15 years. She received a BS and MA from Louisiana State University, and is currently working towards a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction at Louisiana State University. Mrs. Bridges has interests in gifted education, student autonomy, and the varying educational practices found within social classes.
Tiffany Davis
Tiffany Davis is born and raised in Baton Rouge, LA working to transform education in “the Boot” & ultimately, everywhere else. She holds a BA in English/Creative Writing, an MA in Liberal Arts, an MEd in Curriculum & Instruction - English Education, an EdS in Literacy, & a graduate certificate in Urban & Community Education all from Louisiana State University. She researches the sociological aspects of academic success specific to urban & low socioeconomic environments.
Elizabeth Shoenberger
Elizabeth Shoenberger is a History Instructor at the University Laboratory School on LSU's campus. There she teaches Dual Enrollment World History to high school seniors. She is also a doctoral candidate at Louisiana State University, who is interested in researching the use of Educational Technology and its role in the social studies classroom, as well as discussions surrounding social studies curriculum.
Kennesha Smith
Kennesha Smith is a by-product of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Atlanta, Georgia. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology and a Master of Social Work from Georgia State University. She is a doctoral student in the School of Social Work at LSU, seeking to study school-based practice with children and families experiencing homelessness. Before pursuing doctoral studies, she served as a School Social Worker for five years in the Metropolitan Atlanta area and utilizes those experiences to lead her research agenda.
Cindy Ashley
Cindy Ashley, a Louisiana native. I am a doctoral student at Louisiana State University, where I also obtained my bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and my master's degree in Curriculum Studies. I earned an Urban and Community Education certificate during my master's program. I am enrolled in the Curriculum & Instruction program. My research interest is the school-to-prison pipeline, poverty, and early childhood education deficits in minority children. I intend to use my Ph.D. to restructure literacy curriculum and policies, so they are more culturally aware and sensitive, strengthening their approach to phonetic and reading skills. I am a 2nd-grade EBR teacher at an elementary school and own two businesses, Cynnsational Beauty and Cynnsational Student Services. When I am not immersed in work, my hobbies include reading, painting, and working on logic puzzles.
Affiliated Student Alumni
Spring 2022 Graduate Trent Dawson successfully defended his dissertation in spring 2022! Dr. Dawson’s research concentrates on equitable opportunities in computer science for pre-college and community college learners and instructional best practices for preparing underserved youth and adults for successful careers in computer-science-related educational and career fields
Erika Levet
Erika Levet is a Professional School Counselor in Louisiana, where she was born and raised. Her educational journey led her to Nicholls State University, where she earned her M.Ed in School Counseling. She has taken her knowledge and abilities to the school system, where she has spent the last five years serving the students she works with as a Counselor. As a strong advocate for students, she promotes and demands a safe and inclusive environment for all students. She is passionately committed to supporting all students' academic, social, and emotional well-being. Her student mental health awareness and advocacy work earned her Counselor of the Year accolade in 2021. This recognition has further fueled her drive to provide for students, and she continues to utilize a collaborative and compassionate approach to counseling to foster hope, healing, and resilience despite any setbacks.
The impact of adverse childhood experiences and generational trauma inspired Erika to continue her education as a doctoral student at UHCNO. Her current research is focused on unaccompanied youth in the school system and the repercussions it has on them both in and outside of school. Her future goals include becoming more involved in the community by continuing to close opportunity gaps with youth in the surrounding area. Her life's work is driven by the belief that no child should fall through the cracks and that everyone deserves an opportunity to reach their full potential. She plans to continue to work tirelessly for all students as she equips herself with the knowledge and tools to do so