Celebrating the UC Irvine School of Education’s Fall Graduates

By Christine Byrd
January 12, 2025

More than 75 UC Irvine School of Education students officially received their bachelor of arts in education sciences at the end of fall quarter. Many of them donned caps and gowns and joined friends and family at a commencement ceremony on December 15, 2025 at the Bren Events Center, to celebrate the completion of their undergraduate journey, and the beginning of a new one.

“Education doesn’t end with a degree—it grows with every student you teach, every question you ask, and every challenge you help solve,” Interim Dean of Education Julie Washington said in her message to the graduates. “I know you will continue to shape a more inclusive and just world through your work.”

Meet a few of the recent graduates as they reflect on the impact the School of Education has made in their lives, and look forward to what’s ahead.

---

Monserrat Morales ’25

Monserrat Morales knew she wanted to become a teacher since high school. Inspired by her AP history teacher and her dad, a history buff, she double majored in history and education sciences.

“To be a good teacher, you want content mastery and also to know how to get that content across and to best reach students,” Morales said. “It was really nice to get a solid background in education theory and teaching fundamentals in addition to my courses in history.” 

Morales brought the lens of historical perspective to many of her education classes, and enjoyed exploring the social and historical context that led to certain education policies and laws. One of her favorite courses blended both of her academic interests: American Education Policy and the History that Shaped It, taught by Shane Goodridge, associate teaching professor of education.

“Oftentimes, we get caught up in how hard the profession of teaching is, and Professor Goodridge doesn’t downplay that, but he offers a very hopeful perspective – and he has great anecdotes,” she said.

Through “Strategies for Tutoring and Teacher Aiding in a Bilingual Classroom,” Morales did fieldwork in a bilingual classroom at El Sol Science and Arts Academy of Santa Ana. Because of that experience, she hopes to teach English learners or in a dual-immersion classroom in the future. 

Post graduation, Morales is applying to credential and master’s programs with the goal of becoming a teacher and, someday, using her experience to help shape educational policy.

Even with her double major, Morales made time to spend a quarter studying abroad in London and Paris, bringing her closer to some of the history she studied – and leading to her first-ever airplane flight. Having soaked up so many different experiences at the university, she offers this advice to other students: “Don’t let any part of UCI go unexplored – look at every resource offered and every research opportunity. There is so much you can take advantage of.”

Jair Josue Olea ’25

Jair Josue Olea graduated with a double major in education sciences and psychology, and plans to leverage both as he pursues a master’s degree in the future.

Olea worked in education professor Sandra Simpkins’ lab on Project Reach, exploring how students’ motivational beliefs impact their performance in STEM fields – science, technology, engineering and math. The work, grounded in psychology’s expectancy value-theory, was an ideal opportunity to combine psychology and education sciences. He hopes to pursue further research in graduate school to better understand gender and ethnic gaps in STEM education.

Olea says one of the most impactful courses of his UC Irvine experience was “Poverty, Education and Social Change,” with Associate Professor Jade Jenkins, which not only explored educational gaps, but also fostered an environment where students could be vulnerable sharing their own experiences. Through that course, Olea did fieldwork with the Early Academic Outreach Program at Santa Ana High School, helping students apply for college and complete their FAFSA.

“That was a very meaningful experience to me as a Spanish-speaking student to help others from my culture,” Olea said. “It filled me with a lot of pride for my bilingual skills to be seen as culturally relevant and impactful for these families who are going out of their way to ensure their children succeed.” 

Fieldwork, he believes, is one of the best parts of the education science major. “Students should really take advantage of the opportunity through the field work requirement to explore different careers in education,” Olea said. “The ability to go out there and try different things really benefits us in the education major.”

Olea is grateful for mentors who have helped him navigate his educational journey. Through The People’s Coalition, he was mentored by School of Education graduate student Alysia Cruz, and through the Chicano/Latino Students Association, he was paired with Walter Ramirez – who graduated in 2020 with a double major in education science and political science, and recently completed his master’s in counseling. Now, Olea is applying for master’s programs in education and psychology.

Karina Sandoval ’25

Karina Sandoval knew that a degree in education sciences would provide the strong foundation she needed to pursue her dream of becoming an elementary school teacher. 

During her undergraduate experience, Sandoval says that Lecturer Jessica Oviatt, Ph.D. ’20, profoundly influenced her.

“From my first class with her as a freshman in an introductory education course, she inspired me and fostered a deeper learning for children and theories of development,” said Sandoval. “Even as a senior in my last class with Professor Oviatt, she continued to provide deeper understanding for me as a future educator; she was a true inspiration as the teacher I want to become.”

Sandoval was also impacted by a course she took on educational technology.

“With technology continuing to rapidly advance, it is important to learn how to integrate it correctly into the curriculum. This course allowed me to practice integrating it into curriculum and practice with a few common platforms as well,” Sandoval said. “This will help ensure that in my future classroom I can effectively and safely create a learning experience that will inevitably include technology.”

Sandoval felt the December commencement ceremony was the perfect culmination of her UC Irvine educational journey.

“As a first-generation student, I am proud of my entire experience, the fact that I pushed through it all and made it to walk across that stage,” said Sandoval. “I am proudest that I was able to walk across the stage while my family and mom, who sacrificed so much for me, was able to see all my hard work at UCI.”

Now, Sandoval is focusing on applying to programs to earn a multi-subject teaching credential and a master's degree, then become an elementary school teacher, and potentially pursue administrative roles in the future.

Please join us in congratulating Sandoval, Olea, Morales, and all of our fall graduates on their accomplishments and their commitment to educating and supporting future generations of students.