Connect with a School of Education Ambassador Hear directly from a student or alumni.
If you have questions about what it's like to be a student in the School of Education, what job opportunities may exist beyond graduation, or any other aspect of becoming a student, reach out to us here to be connected with an ambassador with first-hand knowledge.
Ni’Aisha Banks
Program: Master of Education in Education Policy and Leadership
Anticipated Graduation: August 2026
Cohort: Hybrid Fall 2025
Hometown: Savannah, Georgia
Undergraduate School: Georgia Southern University
Occupation: Policy professional, US House of Representatives, Committee on Education and Workforce
Why They Chose AU: Banks chose American University because of its commitment to equity and its focus on how policy shapes education systems. Working in the federal policy space, she wanted to deepen her understanding of how education policy impacts students, families, and communities. She balances graduate school while working full-time on Capitol Hill and raising her children. Read more about Banks.
Emily Fucello
Program: Master of Education in Education Policy and Leadership
Graduation: August 2025
Cohort: Online Summer 2025
Hometown: Rockville, MD
Undergraduate school: Frostburg State University
Occupation: Director of Education at The Metropolitan Center for the Visual Arts (VisArts)
Why They Chose AU: Fucello appreciated the EPL MEd program’s accessible program and field of study. She is a parent to a 4 year old and works full time. Her graduate studies schedule at AU was manageable with the support of her spouse, and the financial assistance provided by AU made it possible for her to attend the program.
Carlos Gamez
Program: Master of Education in Education Policy and Leadership
Graduation: May 2025
Cohort: Online Fall 2023
Hometown: Lakeland, Florida
Undergraduate School: Western Governors University
Occupation: Freelance education policy researcher
Why They Chose AU: Gamez chose American University because it allowed him to study with faculty specializing in education policy while participating in a rigorous remote program. He valued the opportunities to engage in research and explore education through multiple policy and analytical lenses.
Bailey Haines
Program: Master of Education in Education Policy and Leadership
Graduation: May 2024
Cohort: On-Campus Fall 2022
Hometown: Rollinsford, New Hampshire
Undergraduate School: Lesley University
Occupation: Educator, Bard High School Early College, DC Public Schools
Why They Chose AU: Haines chose AU because of the humanity-centered admissions process and the program’s meaningful blend of history, philosophy, ethics, policy, and practical application. She moved to Washington, DC, for the program and leveraged the cohort model to build her professional network.
Komal Junejo
Program: Master of Education in Education Policy and Leadership, 2022; Doctor in Education in Education Policy and Leadership, 2027
MEd Cohort: Online Spring 2021
Hometown: Tampa, Florida
Undergraduate School: University of Florida
Occupation: EdTech professional, Curriculum Associates
Why They Chose AU: Junejo's experience working with underserved schools inspired her interest in transformative education. From conversations with AU SOE faculty, she could tell how deeply the program was invested in advancing equitable and culturally responsive approaches to education. She later returned to AU as an Doctorate in Education student.
Morgan Kesler
Program: Master of Education in Education Policy and Leadership
Anticipated Graduation: December 2026
Cohort: Online Fall 2025
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Undergraduate School: North Carolina Central University
Occupation: K–5 educator, local charter school
Why They Chose AU: Kesler chose AU’s School of Education because of its commitment to anti-racist praxis and teaching. As a Black woman and HBCU graduate, it was important to her to join a program where her lived experiences as an educator would be valued as assets.
Dr. Yasmene B. Kimble
Program: Master of Education in Education Policy and Leadership
Graduation: May 2020
Cohort: Online Spring 2019
Hometown: Gloucester, Virginia
Undergraduate School: East Carolina University
Occupation: Higher education professional, Stony Brook University
Why They Chose AU: Dr. Kimble chose the MEd program because it allowed her to combine her interests in education and policy while gaining hands-on experience through the capstone project. She especially valued the program’s practical coursework in policy writing, educational law, and statistics, which she continues to use in her career. During the program, she balanced graduate school with full-time teaching and coaching.
Lillian G. Lingenfelter
Program: Master of Education in Education Policy and Leadership
Graduation: December 2019
Cohort: Online Summer 2018
Hometown: Emporia, Kansas
Undergraduate School: Emporia State University
Occupation: Educator, Burlington Public Schools
Why They Chose AU: Lingenfelter chose AU because of its experienced faculty, accessible format, and cross-sector curriculum that provided exposure to a variety of educational fields. She completed the program while teaching full-time and balancing the responsibilities of being a new teacher.
Amanda Merced
Program: Master of Education in Education Policy and Leadership
Graduation: December 2019
Cohort: Online Spring 2018
Hometown: Fredonia, New York
Undergraduate School: Florida State University
Occupation: Educator, Kenmore-Tonawanda Central School District and Shaw Academic Institute
Why They Chose AU: Merced pursued the EPL program through a scholarship from City Year and valued the flexibility of the online learning format. She was also drawn to AU’s location in Washington, DC, which provides exposure to policy developments and career opportunities.
Anna Rodriguez
Program: Master of Education in Education Policy and Leadership
Graduation: May 2024
Cohort: Online Spring 2023
Hometown: Detroit, Michigan
Undergraduate School: Oakland University
Occupation: 5th grade teacher, Grosse Pointe Public School System
Why They Chose AU: She chose AU to deepen her understanding of how education policy shapes classroom practice and valued the program’s small class sizes, engaged faculty, and flexible online format. Rodriguez has over a decade of experience in K–12 education, including roles as a classroom teacher and curriculum and instruction specialist, and this program helped her learn about education policy and the process to make change.
L
exi Simmerson
Program: Master of Education in Education Policy and Leadership
Expected Graduation: May 2026
Cohort: Online Fall 2024
Hometown: Solon, Ohio
Undergraduate School: Ohio University
Occupation: Elementary special education teacher, Beachwood Schools
Why They Chose AU: Simmerson chose American University because of its strong commitment to anti-racism and community. She also valued how the program built deep connections among students in their cohort and to the greater AU community.
Madelyn Smith
Program: Master of Education in Education Policy and Leadership
Graduation: December 2024
Cohort: On-Campus Fall 2023
Homestate: Maryland and Vermont
Undergraduate School: American University
Occupation: Program Associate at the American Educational Research Association
Why They Chose AU: Smith chose the MEd EPL program because she knew the integrity of the community already and felt it would be a good place to explore education policy and research.
Carrie Wolfe
Program: Master of Education in Education Policy and Leadership
Anticipated Graduation: May 2027
Cohort: Online Fall 2025
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona
Undergraduate School: Arizona State University
Occupation: Director of Professional Development at the Arizona Education Association
Why They Chose AU: Wolfe chose AU because she wanted to learn at a university that centered anti-racism throughout its curriculum and structures. She appreciates that her assignments and discussions are immediately applicable to the work she does, and the small class sizes create unique bonds with her cohort members and allow for more opportunities to engage in mentorship with the professors. Wolfe has a full-time job and a toddler at home, and she lives in the Southwest. She is happy to chat about how she accesses classes virtually across the country or about the balance of parenting, working, and school.