The Education Collaboratory at Yale launched in July 2023. To share more about our work, we are spotlighting all the dedicated team members of our lab, highlighting their work and what brings them to our team's mission to advance the science and practice of SEL.
What is your role at the Education Collaboratory?
I am currently serving as the Communications Assistant at the Education Collaboratory, having joined the team in January 2024. In this capacity, I am responsible for crafting both internal and external communications that showcase the impactful work conducted within the lab. This involves spotlighting our amazing staff members and producing content related to social and emotional learning initiatives. More recently, I’m expanding my portfolio to include a research project pertaining to the lab's engagement with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.
What brought you to the field of SEL and education?
I was drawn to the field of SEL and education through my past experience in international development, where I became fascinated by the relationship between innovative school-based development programs and children's health. As a public health graduate student, I'm particularly interested in exploring the intersection of health and educational experiences. During my tenure at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), I evaluated the effects of USAID's COVID-19 programming, which highlighted the profound and lasting impacts of the pandemic on children's education. This experience deepened my interest in international education programs and their potential to enhance children's experiences within education systems.
My background in communications further fuels my passion for amplifying initiatives that aim to improve children's educational experiences. I believe that effective communication plays a crucial role in driving awareness and engagement with such programs. Moving forward, I am eager to leverage my skills and experiences to contribute meaningfully to the Education Collaboratory and its mission of advancing education initiatives that positively impact children's lives.
What line of research do you find the most interesting/intriguing in the field right now?
Two of my major areas of interest in this field lie within international and sustainable development. Within the realm of international development, I am particularly intrigued by research that explores the intersection of education and health outcomes, especially in low-resource settings. Understanding how improvements in educational access and quality can positively impact health outcomes among vulnerable populations is an area that I find immensely compelling.
My passion for sustainable development also drives my interest in research projects that examine the role of education in advancing the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I recently published a report through the Yale Office of Sustainability that depicts how Yale Faculty’s research aligns with the UN SDGs. I am excited to bring this expertise to some of the Education Collaboratory’s projects that are actively involved in exploring how social-emotional learning interventions can contribute to achieving SDGs, such as those related to quality education (SDG 4), good health and well-being (SDG 3), and gender equality (SDG 5).
In addition to my communications role at the Collaboratory, I am excited to delve deeper into these areas of research and contribute to generating evidence-based insights that inform policies and practices aimed at promoting holistic development and well-being for all individuals, regardless of their socio-economic backgrounds or geographical locations.
What energizes you outside of work?
My family, friends, and time outdoors! Some of my favorite things to do are going long walks to explore my neighborhood, traveling, thrift shopping, and quality time with my tribe.