We are proud to welcome five doctoral students to our vibrant doctoral program! We are looking forward to working with and learning from them in the coming years. In addition to the various reasons for joining the program, each of our new students is undertaking research across a wide range of topics within the field of international and comparative education.
Victoria Jones
Victoria is interested in researching the access to and quality of education for refugee students in emergency contexts. In her former work at a refugee education NGO, she studied educational provision in Greek refugee camps on the island of Lesvos. She plans to research the educational needs of young people in refugee camps and detention centers throughout Europe and the Americas. Victoria holds a B.A. in Government (International Relations) from Harvard University and an MSc in International Social and Public Policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science. She also taught English in Colombia as a Fulbright Scholar from 2018-2019.
Something special about TC
I have been very impressed by the dedicated, compassionate faculty at TC who are tackling some of the education field's most important and understudied issues that impact millions of students worldwide. I feel lucky to be here and to work alongside them and my peers.
Sara M. Pan Algarra
Sara's research focuses on the impact of climate change-related displacement and migration on girls' access to education in Guatemala and Honduras, a research interest she will continue at TC, Columbia University. Sara is from Venezuela, and she recently completed the Masters in Global Challenges: Law, Policy and Practice at the School of Law of Swansea University under the Hillary Rodham Clinton scholarship program. She has worked with UNICEF UK on this topic as well. In addition, she has been part of the legal team at Child Rights Connect in Geneva, Switzerland. Sara holds a Summa Cum Laude BA degree with a double major in Social Research and Public Policy, and Theater from New York University (Abu Dhabi campus). She has also worked on education projects in Venezuela, Canada, India, Italy, Lebanon, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates. Sara was elected Youth Mayor of the Chacao Municipality in Venezuela between 2010 and 2014. She studied at the United World College of India and is a Dalai Lama Fellow from the University of Virginia. She enjoys playing sports, the outdoors, and Latin dance.
Something special about TC
The wide range of opportunities to study and learn more about the education sector in Latin America is one that makes TC special to me.
Mia Ashley Chin
Mia is passionate about advancing basic education and systems strengthening reforms within the humanitarian-development nexus. Prior to commencing the doctoral program in International and Comparative Education at Teachers College, Mia completed her MPA at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and BA at Bryn Mawr College. She brings over ten years of education, humanitarian, and development experience in Asia and the Middle East with academic institutions, civil society, UNDP, INGOs, and USAID. Currently, Mia is an Education Technical Specialist advising USAID's largest education portfolio globally, to improve Jordanian and refugee children's access to quality education nationwide.
Something special about TC:
I was drawn to Teachers College because of the stellar faculty, passionate students, and incredible alumni network around the globe.
Jose La-Rosa-Villacorta
Jose’s research interests examine the role of teacher policies in improving the quality of education in schools. He is particularly interested in exploring how recent legislative frameworks that introduce compensation incentives, national assessments and new career pathways are affecting teacher quality and teacher job satisfaction in Latin America. He has most recently worked as a Policy and Research Specialist at the Ministry of Education of Peru, where he designed and implemented policies to support teachers and school leaders at a national level. He has worked in the Department of School Leadership, the Department of Teacher Development and the National Education Council of Peru. Prior to joining the program, José earned an MPhil in Public Policy at the University of Cambridge and an Ed.M. in International Education Policy at Harvard University.
Something special about TC
I was drawn to TC because of its global and interdisciplinary approach. I look forward to collaborating with faculty and students from diverse backgrounds and professional experiences to address some of the most important issues in education around the world.
Kemigisha Richardson
For the last five years, Kemigisha hasworked as a STEM educator in Hawai’i. While working as a teacher, she explored how STEM-based activities foster cognitive and social-emotional learning (SEL) development in elementary and middle school classrooms. As an educator, her vision is to provide my students with a platform to feel confident in their voice, stories, and define what success meant for them. She has also served as a leadership development and content specialist for Teach for America. In this leadership role, she supported new teachers in developing culturally responsive curricula that embeds both enrichment and remediation for students. Kemigisha holds a B.A. in Science and Management in Biotechnology from Claremont McKenna College and an M.Sc. in Educational Studies from Johns Hopkins University. As she starts a new chapter as a doctoral student, she hopes to research what defines quality education and how social and emotional learning impacts the academic and personal outcomes for young women and vulnerable students throughout the world.
Something special about TC:
I chose TC because it is clear that current students, alumni, and faculty commit not only to research and evaluate educational systems and policies but also to apply those findings in order to mobilize social change and transformation. I am excited to join the TC family because of the opportunities to partner with community-based organizations and engage in action-oriented research that is striving to ensure that vulnerable students throughout the world have access to learning environments that they not only deserve but also should receive as a fundamental human right.
Good luck Gareth, Victoria, Sara, Mia, José, and Kemigisha!
The International and Comparative Education Program prepares doctoral students to enter academia and/or assume leadership positions in various organizations in the field. Our teaching framework emphasizes theory, disciplinary and content knowledge specific to sub-fields, research methods, and applied skills. If you are interested in applying to our doctoral program, visit the Office of Admission.