Ed Alvarez and Dr. Cheryl Ingram—Dismantling Inequities for Educational Excellence at the Silicon Valley Equity in Education Institute

Dr. E. M. Nuñez and Malik Harouna—Supporting first-generation student success through entrepreneurship, learning from positive failure

Our guests, Dr. E. M. Nuñez [https://www.linkedin.com/in/e-m-nu%C3%B1ez-edd-544266228/] and Malik Harouna [https://www.linkedin.com/in/malikharouna/], are Assistant Director for Scholar Support & Educational Access at San FrancisBay University [https://www.linkedin.com/school/san-francisco-bay-university/] (SFBU) (SFBU Scholars Program) and Chief Technical Officer (CTO) for Aline, respectively.   Dr. Nuñez (they/them) is a higher education and nonprofit leader with over 15 years of experience advancing equity-driven programs for first-generation, low-income, and historicallyunderrepresented students. With a doctorate in Educational Leadership from California State University Long Beach [https://www.linkedin.com/school/california-state-university-long-beach/], their work centers on decolonizing educational practices and building culturally relevant pathways to college access and student success. Their mission is to motivate others through collaboration and authenticity to build communities grounded in humility and reciprocity, where people, regardless of background or zip code, feel empowered to live fully and overcome systemic barriers. Dr. Nuñez has led cross-functional teams, managed large-scale programs and budgets, and directed initiatives in college access,undergraduate research, and student affairs at institutions and nonprofits across the country. They bring a holistic, student-centered, and justice-focused lens to every space they serve.   Malik Harouna is a Startup Scholar at San Francisco Bay University and Co-founder and CTO of ALINE a professional networking app that finds you the hidden connections in your direct proximity 24/7.     Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jacob-easley-ii-pmp-1a6b8037/]     Sponsor NAESP [https://www.linkedin.com/company/naesp/].  National School Leaders Conference–Powered by NAESP is designed for Pre-K–12 principals and assistant principals, featuring high-impact learning tracks, networking, andthe newly added "Camp Lead-A-Lot" retreat. Held July 13-15,2026, Orlando, FL, learn more and register at naespconferenence.org.     Resources: * EDUP The Experience [https://www.linkedin.com/company/highereducationpodcast/posts/?feedView=all] * San Francisco Bay University Start Up Scholars [https://www.sfbu.edu/admissions/startup-scholars] * Aline [https://aline.network/]   Greeting:  Dr. Jacqueline Rodriguez [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqueline-rodriguez-phd/]   Research Assistant: Emma Worthington [https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-worthington/]   #EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY #Startup #XEListeningTour

Dr. Maylén Sullivan—(Re)envisioning world languages instruction for social engagement and change as the 2026 California Language Teacher of the Year

Our guest, Dr. Maylén R.R. Sullivan [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maylen/], is the 2026 SWCOLT and California Language Teacher of the Year. A passionate trilingual educator originally from Cuba, she serves as the Coronado Unified School [https://coronadousd.net/] District World Language Teacher on Special Assignment (ToSA), where she leads K-12 professional development and shapes the department's vision.   Sullivan believes language is a powerful vehicle for problem solving and civic engagement — empowering students to servetheir communities, contribute meaningfully to the world around them, and take action on issues that matter. Her instruction motivates students to connect with new cultures, analyze authentic texts, engage in high-level academic discussions, and use their linguistic skills to address real-world challenges.   Sullivan's work has significantly increased the number of students receiving the Seal of Biliteracy and earning travel scholarships. A Certified Leadership Coach with a PhD in Leadership Studies from the University of San Diego [https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-san-diego/], Dr. Sullivan has 16 years of teaching experience and a decade of instructional leadership, facilitating workshops for educators locally and nationally.     Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD,PMP⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jacob-easley-ii-pmp-1a6b8037/]     Sponsor NAESP [https://www.linkedin.com/company/naesp/].  National School LeadersConference–Powered by NAESP is designed for Pre-K–12 principals and assistant principals, featuring high-impact learning tracks, networking, and the newly added "Camp Lead-A-Lot" retreat. Held July 13-15, 2026, Orlando, FL, learn more and register at naespconferenence.org.     Resources: EDUP The Experience [https://www.linkedin.com/company/highereducationpodcast/posts/?feedView=all] CALanguage Teacher’s Association (CLTA) [https://www.linkedin.com/in/clta-ca-language-teachers-association-66140a277/] World Language Summer Seminar [https://www.worldlanguagesummerseminar.org/]     Greeting:  Dr. Rosa Rivera-McCutchen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rrmphd111/]   Research Assistant: Emma Worthington [https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-worthington/]   #EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY #TOTY#XEListeningTour

Tiffani Jaseph—Championing high-quality special education as the 2026 Arizona Teacher of the Year

Our Guest, Tiffani Jaseph [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffani-jaseph-8599b2381/], is a dedicated special education professional with 16 years of teaching experience. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and a Master of Arts in Special Education from the University of Arizona [https://www.linkedin.com/school/uarizona/]. Driven by her passion for children, Ms. Jaseph began her career in general education but soon realized her true calling in special education and made the transition to that field.   Throughout her career, Ms. Jaseph has worked in three school districts. At the Sunnyside Unified School District [https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=Sunnyside%20Unified%20School%20District&origin=RICH_QUERY_SUGGESTION&heroEntityKey=urn%3Ali%3Aorganization%3A539168&position=0], she taught in an extended-day special education program for fourth and fifth graders. In this role, she provided specially designed instruction while also supporting students' needs in the general education environment. In Yuma, Arizona, she worked in a special education resource setting, where she facilitated intervention groups for students from kindergarten through sixth grade.   Currently, Ms. Jaseph teaches at Copper View Elementary School [https://cves.susd30.us/] in Sahuarita, Arizona, where she focuses on accommodating students with higher support needs. For grades kindergarten through fifth, she is committed toincluding her students in the general education environment whenever possible while ensuring that her classroom is accessible for both academic and social-emotional development. Her classroom emphasizes inclusive, strengths-based instruction tailored to diverse learning styles.   Ms. Jaseph has received numerous accolades throughout her career, including being named Teacher of the Year at both her Yuma and Sahuarita sites, a finalist for Sahuarita District [https://www.linkedin.com/company/sahuarita-unified-school-district/] Teacher of the Year, and most recently, she was named Arizona Teacher of the Year [https://azedfoundation.org/programs-and-initiatives/arizona-teacher-of-the-year/] for 2026.     Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jacob-easley-ii-pmp-1a6b8037/]     Sponsor NAESP [https://www.linkedin.com/company/naesp/].  National School Leaders Conference–Powered by NAESP is designed for Pre-K–12 principals andassistant principals, featuring high-impact learning tracks, networking, and the newly added "Camp Lead-A-Lot" retreat. Held July 13-15, 2026, Orlando, FL, learn more and register at naespconferenence.org.     Resources: EDUP The Experience [https://www.linkedin.com/company/highereducationpodcast/posts/?feedView=all]   Greeting:  Dr. Rosa Rivera-McCutchen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rrmphd111/]   Research Assistant: Emma Worthington [https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-worthington/]   #EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY #TOTY#XEListeningTour

Ed Alvarez and Dr. Cheryl Ingram—Dismantling Inequities for Educational Excellence at the Silicon Valley Equity in Education Institute

Our Guests, Ed Alvarez [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-alvarez-883564107/] and Dr. Cheryl Ingram [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryl-ingram-29093067/], are Executive and Executive Deputy Directors, respectively, of the Silicon Valley Equity in Education Institute [https://www.linkedin.com/company/silicon-valley-equity-in-education-institute/] (SVEEI).   Ed’s education experience spans the past 25 years, including roles as President and Board Chair of The National Hispanic University [https://www.linkedin.com/school/the-national-hispanic-university/], The Foundation for Hispanic Education [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-foundation-for-hispanic-education/], and the Latino Education Advancement Foundation [https://www.linkedin.com/company/leafca/]. Currently, he serves on the board of English Together [https://www.linkedin.com/company/englishtogether/] and is President of the San Francisco Bay University [https://www.linkedin.com/school/san-francisco-bay-university/posts/?feedView=all] Education Learning.     Dr. Cheryl Ingram, known as Dr. CI, is a nationally recognized DEI strategist, entrepreneur, and filmmaker with over 20 years of experience transforming organizations through data-driven equity design. She is the CEO of Inclusology, a consulting and analytics firm that has partnered with companies such as Netflix, Uber, Foursquare, and the University of Washington to build sustainable and measurable DEI systems.   In this episode profiling the Silicon Valley Equity in Education Institute (SVEEI), we discuss efforts to close educational and economic equity gaps by connecting underserved communities to pathways in technology and innovation.       Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jacob-easley-ii-pmp-1a6b8037/]     Sponsor NAESP [https://www.linkedin.com/company/naesp/].  National School Leaders Conference–Powered by NAESP is designed for Pre-K–12 principals and assistant principals, featuring high-impact learning tracks, networking, and the newly added "Camp Lead-A-Lot" retreat. Held July 13-15, 2026, Orlando, FL, learn more and register at naespconferenence.org.     Resources: EDUP The Experience [https://www.linkedin.com/company/highereducationpodcast/posts/?feedView=all]   Greeting:  Dr. Rosa Rivera-McCutchen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rrmphd111/]   Research Assistant: Emma Worthington [https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-worthington/] #EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY#XEListeningTour

Dr. Terrance McNeil—Elevating the work of HBCU Teacher Preparation with the AACTE HBCU TAG

Our Guest, Dr. Terrance McNeil [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tdmcneil/], is a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Practice and Leadership at Tennessee State University [https://www.linkedin.com/school/tennessee-state-university/], where he serves as Program Coordinator of the Higher Education Leadership Ed.D. program. With over 20 years of experience in K-12 and higher education, his work centers on equitable educator preparation, leadership development, and expanding access for underrepresented groups.   Dr. McNeil is a Faculty Innovation Fellow at StanfordUniversity [http://linkedin.com/school/stanford-university/] and has worked extensively with the National Science Foundation to support underrepresented groups in STEM. As Chair of the AACTE [https://www.linkedin.com/company/american-association-of-colleges-for-teacher-education/posts/?feedView=all] HBCU Topical Action Group and Holmes Scholar Coordinator at TSU, he advocates for equitable teacher preparation and school leadership practices. He is alsochair of the Public Education Committee for the American Bar Association’s State & Local Government Section.   Dr. McNeil was the inaugural recipient of the White House Initiative on HBCUs competitiveness award. In 2025, he washonored as the Higher Education Educator of the Year by the Our HBCUs Matter Foundation [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ourhbcusmatterfoundation/] for his impactful contributions to education and mentorship.     Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jacob-easley-ii-pmp-1a6b8037/]     Sponsor: Patriox [https://patriox.us/] oxygenated water. Drinking Patriox helps oxygenate the body, promoting overall health, energy, and vitality. Receive a 10% discount on your next purchase with the code EDUPXE.   Resources: EDUP The Experience [https://www.linkedin.com/company/highereducationpodcast/posts/?feedView=all] The Xcelerated Excellence Future Teacher Award https://www.edupxe.com/xcelerated-excellence-future-teacher-award-2025-2026/ [https://www.edupxe.com/xcelerated-excellence-future-teacher-award-2025-2026/] EDUP Xcelerated Excellence [https://www.linkedin.com/company/edup-xcelerated-excellence/?viewAsMember=true] AACTE HBCU TAG [https://aacte.org/resources/topical-action-groups/] AACTE Holmes Scholars [https://www.linkedin.com/in/holmes-scholars-586386332/]     Greeting:  Dr. Rosa Rivera-McCutchen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rrmphd111/]   Research Assistant: Emma Worthington [https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-worthington/] #EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY#XEListeningTour #HBCUs