Introducing cohort seven of Unite:Ed’s Community Partner Fellows program

We are thrilled to welcome the 7th cohort of Unite:Ed's Community Partner Fellows (CFP) program. 

• Charlie Mahoney (Learning Sciences and Human Development; Current advisor: Katie Taylor; Placement: Unite:Ed)
• Chris Arguedas (Culturally Sustaining Education; Current advisor: Django Paris; Placement: WA STEM)
• Christopher Mangogna (Teaching and Curriculum; Current advisor: Jessica Thompson; Placement: TAF EdWorks)
• Jamie Chase ( General Special Education; Current advisor: Carly Roberts; Placement: COE - TA)
• Jiangyue Bella Li (School Psychology; Current advisor: Janine Jones; Placement: Bush School)
• Jiaqi Wang (Language, Literacy, and Culture; Current advisor: Lakeya Afolalu; Placement: COE - TA)
• Kendall Fujioka (Organizational and Policy Studies; Current advisor: David Knight; Placement: City of Seattle, Department of Education and Early Learning
• Lingshan Li (Learning Sciences and Human Development; Current advisor: Soojin Park; Placement: COE - TA)
• Lu Xu (Organizational and Policy Studies; Current advisor: David Knight; Placement: Central College)

CFP is an initiative that equips doctoral students with the skills and opportunities to make a meaningful impact beyond academia. As Dr. Alvin Logan, Jr., director of Unite:Ed, notes, “What makes the community partner fellows program unique is that we prepare doctoral students for research and practice opportunities outside of higher education.” This program not only deepens the fellows' academic journeys but also strengthens the capacity of community-based organizations dedicated to closing educational opportunity gaps.

Cohort 7 holds special significance, marking Dr. Logan's inaugural cohort as program director. He shares, “I have a special place in my development of Unite:Ed for them.” This group brings a diverse range of international and national experiences, united by a shared commitment to solving challenges in marginalized communities and driving transformative change. Dr. Logan is particularly excited about the impact this cohort will have: “Even the first-year fellows have impactful placements in colleges, supporting much of the teaching and research work that will help shape the next generation of educators and staff.” 

We're excited to see the impact of Cohort 7's work in advancing educational equity and community empowerment. 

Read more about some of the Fellows below. 

Jamie Chase (she/they)

Jamie Chase is a doctoral student in Special Education, focusing on language development in autism, particularly Gestalt Language. Their advisor is Dr. Carly Roberts. Jamie is deeply committed to advocating for equity in education, especially among underserved disabled populations. She shared, “I believe all learners can be successful when they are given the opportunity, support, and tools they need.” 

As an autistic researcher, Jamie aims to bring authentic lived experience to her work, offering representation of autistic perspectives in academia. Through the Unite:Ed fellowship, they hope to contribute to solutions that address educational inequities and improve support for students with diverse linguistic backgrounds.

I am passionate about working toward and advocating for equity in education, particularly amongst underserved disabled populations. 

Kendall Fujioka (she/her)

Kendall Fujioka is a doctoral student in Education Policy, Organizations, and Leadership (EdPOL), with research interests in education law and policy, school finance, and students' civil rights. Her advisor is Dr. David Knight. Kendall’s deep commitment to community-based work stems from her experiences during her undergraduate studies at the University of Washington and her time as a school social worker in Los Angeles. She shared, “I saw firsthand the vital role that community-based organizations (CBOs) play in supporting students’ development and learning, both inside and outside of the classroom, by providing services and resources that are considered outside the capacity and scope of traditional education.” 

Her research with the City of Seattle’s Department of Education and Early Learning will focus on evaluating school-based mental health services and their impact on student engagement, achievement, and well-being. Kendall is committed to using her interdisciplinary background in education, law, and social work to advocate for policies that advance equity in education, saying, “I strongly believe that public education has both the capacity and responsibility to provide equitable learning opportunities for all students.”

I hope to strengthen my skills in quantitative data analysis, and learn how to communicate numerical data effectively to drive changes in the laws and policies that directly impact children, families, and schools. 

Jiangyue Bella Li (she/her)

Jiangyue Bella Li is a doctoral student in School Psychology, advised by Dr. Janine Jones. Her research focuses on culturally responsive evaluation and intervention for children with Autism and anxiety disorders. Jiangyue Bella believes in the importance of community collaboration, stating, “Raising a child requires a village,” and works to address systemic barriers and promote equitable access to resources for children and families. Her work is guided by values of care, respect, and inclusivity, and she aims to create supportive environments where every child feels seen, valued, and empowered. As she explains, “I believe that every child deserves to feel seen, valued, and supported, regardless of their background or circumstances.”

The Unite:Ed fellowship excites her because it offers an opportunity to collaborate with local schools and community partners to create lasting, meaningful change. She hopes to apply her research to reduce barriers to care and ensure children receive culturally responsive support. Reflecting on her journey, Jiangyue Bella says, “The insights I’ve gained have made me a more thoughtful and effective practitioner, reinforcing my commitment to giving back.”

By integrating cultural responsiveness into my practice and research, I hope to empower families, reduce barriers to care, and contribute to more inclusive and effective systems of support for children and their communities.

Lingshan Li (she/her)

Lingshan Li is a doctoral student in Learning Science & Human Development, working with Dr. Soojin Park. Her research interests include early childhood education, multilingualism, and literacy development. Lingshan’s passion for community work is driven by her belief that “no research or study can compare to working with the community.”

She is excited by the Unite:Ed fellowship’s potential to translate her equity-focused research into real-world impact, particularly through partnerships with community-based organizations. Lingshan aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for curriculum design and policy advocacy, drawing on her bilingual and bicultural background to foster collaboration and empowerment within diverse communities.

My work in education and community engagement is deeply rooted in values of equity, empathy, and collaboration. As a bilingual minority, I have experienced the barriers faced by underrepresented communities, which have shaped my commitment to fostering inclusive and equitable educational opportunities. 

Charlie Mahoney (he/him)

Charlie Mahoney (he/him) is a doctoral student in the Learning Sciences and Human Development program, under the guidance of Dr. Katie Headrick Taylor. His research focuses on exploring how universities can collaborate with communities to amplify and build on the powerful work already being done outside academic spaces. Charlie is deeply committed to understanding and respecting the diversity of knowledge, values, and histories that shape educational practices. He explains, “A word I come back to often is multiplicity. This word reminds me to take seriously a variety of knowledges, values, histories, and visions for the future.” 

His work seeks to identify ways universities can form partnerships that strengthen these community efforts, ensuring they are mutually beneficial. Reflecting on his approach, he shares, “I hope my research will uncover ways that partnerships between communities and universities can work best.” Through his involvement in the Unite:Ed fellowship, Charlie is excited to learn alongside peers from diverse contexts, helping to foster long-term, supportive relationships that enrich his work and the communities he serves.

I hope my research will uncover ways that partnerships between communities and universities can work best. Some of these approaches are already being done by the CPF Program, but there are always ways to grow in new directions in concert with our partners. This growth can, I hope, ultimately better serve the communities that our partners work with.

 

Christopher Mangogna (he/him)

Christopher Mangogna is a doctoral student in Teacher Education and Teacher Learning for Justice, focusing on how science teachers learn to teach environmental and social justice. His advisor is Dr. Jessica Thompson. Christopher’s passion for community-driven education grew from years of working alongside teachers to navigate the complexities of classroom practice. He believes that “the most effective educational initiatives emerge from genuine partnership with the communities we serve,” and that true education “isn’t just about transferring knowledge—it’s about creating spaces where students can explore, question, and connect their learning to real-world challenges.” 

His work is rooted in the idea that teacher learning must be situated in practice and grounded in local contexts, with the goal of addressing educational inequities through sustained collaboration and teacher development. Christopher is excited about the Unite:Ed fellowship because it aligns with his commitment to bridging the gap between academic research and community needs.  Through this fellowship, he hopes to develop frameworks that center community voices, empower teachers as agents of change and improve student engagement and learning outcomes.

...meaningful educational change happens when we work alongside communities rather than implementing top-down solutions. 

Jiaqi Wang (Jyah-chee Wahng)(she/her)

Jiaqi Wang is a doctoral student in the Language, Literacy, and Culture program, focusing her research on using museum resources and digital tools to help multilingual students develop their reading and writing skills. Her advisor is Dr. Lakeya (Omogun) Afolalu. Jiaqi is passionate about community-based education and believes that real change happens when education connects with the community. She explains, “I think it's so important to understand the communities we serve and to create educational strategies that are responsive to their unique needs.” 

Her work aims to make literacy education more engaging and accessible, particularly for multilingual students, by integrating museum resources into literacy programs and transforming traditional visits into interactive, inquiry-based learning experiences. Jiaqi’s goal is to ensure that students' cultural backgrounds are seen as assets, not barriers, to their success. Reflecting on her approach, she says, “I hope my work will create practical solutions that effectively help students.”

I want to make literacy education more relevant and accessible, especially for multilingual students. 

Community-based organizations interested in joining the Community Partner Fellows initiative, should contact Dr. Alvin Logan Jr., Director of Unite:Ed, at alogan8@uw.edu. For more information about making a gift to support the College of Education’s community partnership work, contact the Advancement and Outreach team at edudev@uw.edu.