Explore Our Graduates Galleries

Filter(s) Applied:
Displaying 10 graduates
Portrait Photo: Zehra Kamal Amal

Zehra Kamal Amal

M.A., Psychology in Education

As a mental health worker helping traumatized families in Pakistan, Zehra Alam was always deeply committed to promoting mental wellbeing. But when she lost her own husband, Alam came to TC probe the issue more deeply.

Read More   Video

Psychology
2019
Portrait Photo: Michelle Burris

Michelle Burris

M.A., Politics & Education

In the Peace Corps, Michelle Burris created a training manual to help African American volunteers navigate cultural and linguistic divides. At TC, she’s facilitated conversations on race and promoted grassroots advocacy.

Read More   Video

First Generation Education
2019
Portrait Photo: Andrea Duran

Andrea Duran

Ph.D., Movement Sciences & Education

Andrea Duran set out to fight obesity in the Latinx community. She's since focused on secondary prevention strategies targeted to recurrent heart attacks. The reasons for that shift: Her grandmother and grandfather.

Read More

Health
2019
Portrait Photo: Barry Goldenberg

Barry Goldenberg

Ph.D., History & Education

As a kid from suburban St. Louis, Barry Goldenberg was an unlikely candidate to introduce youth in Harlem to the unique heritage of their storied neighborhood. The program he founded -- part of his broader efforts to change the way American history is taught in high schools – is still going strong.

Read More

Education
2019
Portrait Photo: Jose Ibarra

Jose Ibarra

M.A., Comparative & International Education

Jose Ibarra has felt like an outsider since emigrating from Peru at age 11. At TC he’s embraced his roots, discovered peace education and focused on the struggles of people from developing countries. Now he’s contemplating a return to Peru – with big plans.

Read More   Video

Education
2019
Portrait Photo: Mercedes Lysaker

Mercedes Lysaker

M.A., Music & Music Education

Mercedes Lysaker always loved playing and teaching cello, but she became increasingly aware that music education can be punishing cruel and joyless, with an over-emphasis on technical preparation. She’s since devoted her efforts to shaping a new kind of teaching that taps students’ natural, emotional connection with their instruments.

Read More

Education
2019
Portrait Photo: Diane Cervantes Martinez

Diane Cervantes Martinez

M.A., Higher & Postsecondary Education

For many in TC’s Higher & Post-secondary Education program, inequitable college access is a compelling social problem. First-generation student Diana Cervantes Martinez sees the issue as central to her life story – and she’s devoting her career to rewriting the script for others, including her younger brothers.

Read More   Video

First Generation Education
2019
Portrait Photo: Larrolyn Patterson Parms-Ford

Larrolyn Patterson Parms-Ford

M.A., Music & Music Education

Larrolyn Patterson Parms-Ford had every reason to believe she was bound for a life on stage. But her straight course to a career as a vocalist was disrupted when one of her college professors suggested she might be even better suited to a career in the classroom.

Read More

Education
2019
Portrait Photo: Kia Widlo

Kia Widlo

M.A., Early Childhood Education: Special Education

Growing up in Harlem, Kia Widlow didn't know much about Columbia and Teachers College, but she did care about making education more equitable. Now, with new skills and knowledge gained from her master's program at TC, she's becoming a dean at the school.

Read More   Video

Education
2019
Portrait Photo: Zhuqian “Karen” Zhou

Zhuqian “Karen” Zhou

M.A., Learning Analytics

As an undergraduate in China, Zhuqian “Karen” Zhou studied Management Science, positioning herself for employment as a highly specialized data analyst in the business world. But she wanted to make an impact on public welfare -- and she's since used her expertise gained in TC's Learning Analytics program to do just that.

Read More   Video

Education
2019
Back to skip to quick links