Education's Bright Future
The School of Education’s Graduating Class of 2025 includes future teachers, counselors, education researchers, and more committed to lifting others
By Christine Byrd
June 16, 2025
June 16, 2025
On June 14, 2025, more than 380 students graduated from the School of Education. Whether they are headed into teaching, graduate school, research, or another field, they leave UC Irvine with a shared commitment to equity, innovation, and collaborating with their communities to enhance educational experiences. Meet a few of the outstanding graduates who are laying the groundwork for a brighter, more just future in education.
Alysia Cruz
Ph.D., Education
Ph.D., Education
FAST FACTS
Hometown: Allentown, Pennsylvania Favorite professor: Gustavo Carlo Favorite campus spot: Aldrich Park Go-to study snack or drink: Iced coffee and trail mix One word to describe your UCI experience: Transformative |
As a first-generation college student, Alysia Cruz said she “witnessed first-hand both the transformative power of education and how educational systems often fail to adequately support students from underrepresented backgrounds.” After receiving a Ph.D. in Education with an emphasis on human development in context, she plans to continue her journey to create learning spaces that are more equitable and inclusive – through a postdoctoral fellowship and eventually a tenure-track faculty position.
Throughout her years at UC Irvine, Cruz was mentored by education professor Gustavo Carlo and participated in training and research through the Cultural Resilience & Learning Center. In addition to her dissertation research, which explores how Latine families pass along the cultural value of bien educado, Cruz has already published a number of academic articles and chapters. Among her many accomplishments, one that stands out to her is receiving the Graduate Student Excellence Award at the 2024 Latino Excellence and Achievement Awards Dinner. My time at UCI has helped me grow into the kind of scholar I want to be—one who is |
Stephen Robert Skoropad
Ph.D., Education
Ph.D., Education
FAST FACTS
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois Favorite professor: Janice Hansen Favorite campus spot: Aldrich Park Go-to study snack or drink: Protein bar One word to describe your UCI experience: Adapting |
As a former high school science teacher and curriculum specialist, Stephen Robert Skoropad wanted to better understand how both teachers and students learn through their educational experiences. After earning his Master’s in Urban Education from Loyola Marymount University, he decided to pursue his Ph.D. in Education with a focus on teacher learning at the School of Education because he found “UCI’s commitment and focus on teacher learning within their graduate school was truly unique.”
During his doctoral program, Skoropad was mentored by education faculty Hosun Kang and Elizabeth van Es, and his research included exploring social and racial justice as part of teacher training. After graduating, he plans to continue working with K-12 teachers and students as well as teaching at the university level. Thanks to my advisors, my understanding of what it means to enact equitable and just teaching at both the K-12 and higher education settings has expanded exponentially. I have not only refined my commitment, but explored how to support educators in continuing this work, gaining tools and resources to not only enact but also develop research that studies these processes. |
Tiffany Wu
Ph.D., Education
Ph.D., Education
FAST FACTS
Hometown: Southern California Favorite course: Research Epistemology with Drew Bailey Favorite campus spot: My lab space on the second floor of SoE Go-to study snack or drink: Copious amounts of water One word to describe your UCI experience: Humbling |
Tiffany Wu is now a two-time UC Irvine graduate. She received her Ph.D. in Education with a specialization in educational policy this year, adding to the Bachelor’s in Psychology she received from UC Irvine in 2017, and a Master’s in Child Development and Education from the University of Oxford the following year. Wu’s classroom experiences with PreK-12 students over the years have underscored the ways that structural barriers shape children’s educational journeys.
Through the School of Education doctoral program and mentorship from faculty, including Jade Jenkins and Adriana Villavicencio, Wu says she feels prepared to collaborate with underserved communities to inform and improve educational systems. Next, Wu is headed to USC Rossier School of Education as a postdoctoral scholar where she will embark on a new research project exploring the impact of a technology-enhanced math curriculum. The doctoral training at the UC Irvine School of Education is truly unmatched. The school offers many opportunities through courses, workshops, and labs. I have always been able to find the resources I need to pursue my research interests at UCI broadly and at SoE, whether it's a statistical training seminar or a grant-writing workshop. But what stands out to me is the community and accessibility of the faculty. You can always count on the faculty to be there for you, whether it's a quick drop-in to someone's office to say hi and catch up, meeting with a faculty member to get advice on a project, or doing a co-learning session together to learn about the newest and latest statistical methods. |
Rachel Kim
B.S., Biological Sciences; Education Sciences
B.S., Biological Sciences; Education Sciences
FAST FACTS
Hometown: Santa Monica, California Favorite Course: Educ 55 - Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science Favorite spot on campus: CalTeach Office One word to describe your UCI experience: Extraordinary |
Rachel Kim always knew she wanted to follow in her dad’s footsteps and become a science teacher. UC Irvine’s CalTeach program gave her the perfect opportunity to fast-track that dream by earning both her bachelor’s in biological sciences and a single-subject teaching credential.
While at UC Irvine, Kim served as the CalTeach Student Advisory Board President, an undergraduate mentor for the YouthCares project led by faculty Hosun Kang and Nelly Tsai, and a co-facilitator for the Women of Color in Education affinity space. Through a fellowship with the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program, Kim and classmate Jenny Chaidez conducted a research project analyzing the impact of the Women of Color in Education group. In addition to her extensive work in education, she sang with the UCI Chamber Singers, including a memorable performance at New York City’s Carnegie Hall in 2024. Kim plans to teach chemistry at Woodbridge High School in Irvine next year. My years at UCI have thoroughly prepared me with fieldwork experiences at multiple schools. Additionally, I feel that my time at CalTeach has shown me what impactful teaching can look like. I learned how relational and identity-focused teaching can be to make the learning matter to students. |
Brenda Padilla Ortiz
B.S., Education Sciences; Sociology
B.S., Education Sciences; Sociology
FAST FACTS
Hometown : Mecca, CA Favorite class: EDU 140 - Courts, Classrooms, and Controversies in Education Policy Favorite spot on campus: Benches at Social Science Plaza Go-to study snack or drink: Jasmine milk tea and blueberries One word to describe your UCI experience: Bloom |
Brenda Padilla Ortiz transferred to UC Irvine as a sociology major, but was inspired to add education sciences based on her experiences working with student services programs during community college as well as with a nonprofit supporting high school youth.
In the School of Education, Padilla Ortiz has continued her work supporting students. She completed fieldwork working with high school students in the Early Academic Outreach Program and with fellow undergraduates through the Student Outreach and Retention (SOAR) center and the UC Irvine Counseling Center’s COACH program. Additionally, she participated in the Student Achievement Guided by Experience (SAGE) Scholars Program, which provides resources and support to help students prepare for careers or graduate school. This fall, she will continue her journey to becoming a school counselor by embarking on a master’s in counseling program at Cal State San Bernardino. I’m so happy to belong to the school of education! Education classes are always engaging, and the professors are truly passionate about what they do. I feel ready to take on the world of education after my time at UCI. My coursework, combined with the work experience I gained, equipped me with unique skills that I am excited to apply more professionally in the future. |
Jocelynn Ramirez
B.S., Education Sciences; Spanish
B.S., Education Sciences; Spanish
FAST FACTS
Hometown: Jurupa Valley, California Favorite class or professor: Spanish 113B - Introduction to Spanish Linguistics Favorite spot on campus: Aldrich Park and Student Center Go-to study snack or drink: Strawberry matcha at Java City Coffee One word to describe your UCI experience: Enriching |
An interest in the structural challenges that students face in the education system led Jocelynn Ramirez to pursue a double major in education sciences and Spanish. She found many opportunities to combine those interests, including by working on research projects in the Human Abilities in Bilingual Language Acquisition (HABLA) Laboratory, directed by education professor Elizabeth Peña; the Development in Social Context (DISC), directed by education professor Stephanie Reich; and the Areyto Lab, directed by Julio Torres, professor of Spanish and Portuguese. Ramirez also provided mentorship and guidance direct to high school students as a volunteer at the Early Academic Outreach Program (EAOP).
Ramirez’s UC Irvine experience was enriched by the Student Achievement Guided by Experience (SAGE) Scholars Program, where she enjoyed opportunities to network with alumni and professionals and take workshops focused on career skills. Although she graduated in June, Ramirez isn’t leaving UC Irvine just yet – she plans to continue in the School of Education to earn her master’s and single subject teaching credential in Spanish in the School of Education. UC Irvine has prepared me for what’s next through the challenging coursework, which |
