CASE Summit Presenters

Guest Speaker

Dr. Bettina L. Love is the William F. Russell Professor at Teachers College, Columbia University and author of the New York Times bestseller Punished for Dreaming: How School Reform Harms Black Children and How We Heal. In 2022, the Kennedy Center named Dr. Love one of the Next 50 Leaders making the world more inspired, inclusive, and compassionate. A co-founder of the Abolitionist Teaching Network (ATN), whose mission is to develop and support teachers and parents fighting injustice within their schools and communities, she has overseen over $250,000 in grants to abolitionists around the country. She is also a founding member of the Task Force that launched the program In Her Hands, one of the largest guaranteed income pilot programs in the U.S., which has distributed more than $15 million to Black women living in Georgia. Dr. Love is a sought-after public speaker on a range of topics, including abolitionist teaching, anti-racism, Hip Hop education, Black girlhood, queer youth, educational reparations, and art-based education to foster youth civic engagement. She is also the author of the bestseller We Want To Do More Than Survive. Dr. Love has also provided commentary for various news outlets including NPR, PBS, Washington Post, The Daily Beast, Time, Ed Week, The Guardian, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 

Session presenters

Dr. Michelle Damiani is an Assistant Professor of Inclusive Education in the Department of Wellness and Inclusive Services in Education at Rowan University. She began her teaching career as an elementary special education teacher and a new teacher mentor. As a teacher-educator, she was a professor-in-residence at a local early childhood elementary school in a professional development school partnership.  Damiani received her Ph.D. in Special Education and Certificate of Advanced Study in Disability Studies, both from Syracuse University.  In her research, she uses a disability studies in education framework to explore disability as an aspect of diversity in the teacher workforce that contributes to understanding school culture, pedagogical approaches, and inclusive practices.  She is also engaged in research around developing sustainable international inclusive education practices that are culturally relevant and build capacity to inform educational settings among all education partners.  Dr. Damiani has published in journals such as the Journal of Special Education Preparation, School-University Partnerships, Journal of Special Education Technology, Canadian Journal of Disability Studies, International Journal of Whole Schooling, Disability and the Global South, International Journal of Inclusive Education, Innovative Higher Education, and the Journal of International Special Needs Education.

Olusola Ogundola serves as the Executive Director of Project Restoration International Initiative (PRIINTV), a disability rights organization that he established to champion the protection of the interests of people with disabilities. Based in Ibadan, Nigeria, he oversees the operations of the Center for Disability and Media Training and Research. Olusola holds a bachelor's degree in library and information studies (BLIS) from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and furthered his education by obtaining a master's degree in media studies from Syracuse University in the United States of America. An esteemed Alumnus of the International Fellowship Program (IFP) of the Ford Foundation, Olusola has consistently demonstrated his commitment to advancing disability rights. In February 2016, in collaboration with the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, Olusola conducted a comprehensive training session for approximately 150 journalists on the "Guideline for Reporting Disability in the News Media in Nigeria." This initiative, supported by an Alumni grant from the Ford Foundation, showcased his dedication to fostering responsible and inclusive media practices. Recognized for his exceptional contributions, Olusola was awarded the PeaceCon 2018 Scholarship by the Alliance for Peacebuilding in Washington DC. This recognition followed his impactful work in peacebuilding, specifically addressing group-based conflicts among people with disabilities in Nigeria. Olusola serves as a member of the Advisory Committee of the Global Alliance for Disability in Media and Entertainment (GADIM). Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in the Wellness & Inclusive Services in Education Department (WISE) department at Rowan University, he directs his research focus toward intergroup perspective in inclusive education. Olusola Ogundola continues to be a driving force in advancing the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities, showcasing leadership in advocacy, training, and academic research

Dr. Nicole Megan Edwards earned her PhD from University of Maryland, College Park and is a tenured Associate Professor in the College of Education’s Department of Wellness and Inclusive Services in Education at Rowan University. She coordinates the MA in Special Education and Inclusive Practices and Graduate Endorsement in Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TOSD). Dr. Edwards published a book with Brookes Publishing on the shared role of professionals and families in early social-emotional development (Edwards, 2018) and developed courses in the Early Childhood Special Education (birth-5) Certificate of Graduate Study. Dr. Edwards serves as a member of Rowan University’s Senate Professional Ethics and Welfare Committee, a newly appointed member of Rowan University’s Health Equity Institute, a governor-appointed member of the NJ State Interagency Coordinating Council (advising the NJ Department of Health on the NJ State Part C Early Intervention System), coChair of the American Educational Research Association’s Family-School-Community Partnership Special Interest Group, Chair of the Division for Early Childhood’s Community of Practice Development Committee, and Associate Editor for the Journal of Child and Family Studies.  

Dr. Zeynep Isik-Ercan is a professor of early childhood education and chair of the department of Early Childhood, Elementary Education and Critical Foundations. She has been teaching about qualitative research methods, curriculum, leadership, and cultural diversity in early childhood education and has been involved and led multiple research projects focusing on early childhood STEM education, leadership and coaching, and diversity and equity. She publishes in peer reviewed journals, provides keynotes to multiple educational organizations, organizes conferences and mentoring programs, and engage in non-profit and community organizations.

Dr. Zalphia Wilson-Hill arrived at Rowan University after 36 years in the New Jersey Public School System as a classroom teacher and as a Professional School Counselor. In her capacity as a Professional School Counselor, she served as the High School Affirmative Action Officer, the Sexual Harassment Officer, and the Leader of the Crisis Team. A highlight of her career was when she was nominated as the NJ Educator of the Year by the United States Marine Corps. Dr. Wilson-Hill has made professional presentations to the International Counselors Association in Rome, Italy, School Psychologists and Counselors to include: How Teacher Perception of Student Ability Affects Achievement; Normal and Abnormal Childhood Behaviors; Adolescent Depression; Adolescent Sexuality; and How to Create a College Culture in Spite of No Child Left Behind. She is currently the Program Coordinator in the Counseling in Educational Settings Program and Senior Lecturer. 

Dr. Kara Ieva (she/hers) holds many identities. In addition to being a wife, mom, school counseling advocate, and co-conspirator in working to remove oppressive educational practices, policies and systems, she is a Professor in the Counseling in Educational Settings program at Rowan University. Her educational career spans over 25 years as a former Spanish teacher, administrator, and professional school counselor, and counselor educator. Kara uses her research for advocacy by using asset-based approaches to empower student agency while promoting equity and wellness (academic and mental health). Her specific areas of expertise  include group counseling and social emotional development (with students, in classrooms, embedded in content, educator SEL, and systemic tiered interventions centered on promoting healthy identities). She consults and delivers professional development nationally to PK-12 school counselors, teachers, and administrators on strategies for cultivating a safe, equitable, and inclusive mental health and neurodiverse culture in schools. Further, she is the CEO and Co-Founder of In the Moment Group, LLC, dedicated to supporting the Eduhealing of all educators through Group Work focused on Educator SEL.

Dr. Jordon Beasley is an esteemed Assistant Professor within the Counselor Education Program at Augusta University, situated in Augusta, GA. Before entering into academia, Dr. Beasley spent six years as an elementary school counselor, serving communities in both Greenville, SC, and Atlanta, GA. This hands-on experience provided her with invaluable perspectives on the challenges and opportunities within educational counseling.

Within her current position, Dr. Beasley is deeply involved in shaping the next generation of counselors. Dr. Beasley serves as the CACREP liaison, School Counseling Program coordinator, and Field Placement Coordinator. She instructs courses spanning the Masters in Counselor Education Program and specializes in teaching school counseling courses, group counseling, play therapy, and counseling children and adolescents. Her commitment to academic excellence is paralleled by her enthusiasm for research and professional development.

Dr. Beasley's research interests encompass vital areas within counseling, including Social and Emotional Wellness for the entire education community, Antiracist School Counseling, Program Evaluation in School Counseling, Group work in educational settings. Through her scholarly pursuits, she aims to foster inclusive and effective counseling practices that empower individuals and communities. 

Dr. Melissa Franzosi, is a 17-year veteran school counselor, having worked in two large diverse school districts in both Indiana and New Jersey. She is in her second year of Rowan's Education Services and Leadership Ph.D. program with a concentration in Counselor Education. Her dissertation interest is in career development for underrepresented youth in low-income, rural areas. Melissa is currently a Director of School Counseling and Student Personnel Services in Atlantic County.

Indra Lyn Owens, M.Ed. is a millennial change agent and native of Atlantic City, NJ.  A veteran educator and certified School Counselor. Indra was honored as the 2020 School Counselor of the Year in New Jersey by ASCA and the 2021 recipient of the Dr. Hector Rios Community Change Agent Award from Rowan University, Chi Sigma Iota-Zeta Pi Chapter, the Counseling Academic & Professional Honor Society International. 

She is the curator of the #TrustYourJourney Project™, LLC. which focuses on deconstructing myths of mental health and mindfulness in urban communities, building resilient families, particularly in marginalized and minoritized populations. She graduated from Temple University with a degree in Communications and later earned a Masters in Education in School Counseling from UWA and is now in her second year of doctoral studies at Rowan University with the hopes of earning a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and continuing to brand herself as a Mental Health & Family Engagement Support Professional, author, consultant, trainer and guide, especially in sharing best practices with community stakeholders and budding counselors in Education. 

As a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Indra understands the mantra “Service to All Mankind” and has made this exact mantra the fabric of her lifestyle, actively being the change she desires to see in her community and beyond.

Erica Figueroa is a professional school counselor with 7 years of experience in charter and public schools. She is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Rowan's Education Services and Leadership Ph.D. program with a concentration in Counselor Education. She received her M.A. in Counseling in Educational Settings at Rowan University in 2018. Erica Figueroa is currently a 6th-grade school counselor in Camden County. 

Dr. Jill Perry is an Associate Professor of Mathematics Education at Rowan University and currently serves as the Director of Rowan’s Faculty Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. She received her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Central Florida. Her current researches on the supports for and barriers to meaningful faculty development and the ways that digital technology shapes educational experience in K-20 educational institutions. 

Dr. Cecile H. Sam is an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at Rowan University. She received her PhD in Urban Education Policy from the University of Southern California. Prior to Rowan she was a researcher at the Consortium for Policy  Research in Education at the University of Pennsylvania. Her current research focuses on the ways that digital technology shapes educational experience in K-20 ed institutions.

Dr Magdalena Martinez is an associate professor in the College of Education, and a Senior Policy Fellow with the Sweeney Center for Public Policy at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey. 

As a collective, her scholarly work has been of interest to policymakers and academics on issues related to Latina/o students, language learners, governance, and postsecondary access policies. Her research also includes education policy changes, the people involved, and the experiences shaping policy ideas and choices. 

In her research and practice, she works with local governments, decision makers, and nonprofit organizations to design and analyze education policy projects with a focus on equity and minimizing underrepresentation. Her work has shaped and informed education policy conversations, ideas, and specific legislative bills in service to expanding student access and success for all students.

Closing Speaker

Daniel Oscar has dedicated himself for three decades to helping schools become places where students want to be. As an education entrepreneur who centers equity in his work, Daniel has an extensive record of achievement in establishing and growing educational organizations.

Daniel is the founder of Realign Education, which partners with the larger K-16 ecosystem to challenge the outdated, predominant model of education in the United States that falls short of addressing the evolving needs and aspirations of our nation, families, communities, and–most importantly– children. This new initiative currently focuses on revamping the college admissions process, leveraging its outsized influence on K-12 education as a catalyst for broader realignment of K-12 to embody equity and meet the true requisites of human flourishing, a healthy democracy, and a thriving economy for all. 

For 12 years, until November 2021, Daniel Oscar was President & CEO of the Center for Supportive Schools, a national organization advancing the efforts of schools to develop all students into leaders who help make their schools safer, more supportive, engaging, and inspiring. Earlier in his career, Daniel was one of the lead founders of the national teacher corps Teach For America (he is featured prominently in Wendy Kopp's book One Day, All Children), and the President & Founder of The Learning Project, a not-for-profit school management organization based in New York City. Daniel has worked with many other education organizations, including Edison Learning, Newark Charter School Fund, Children’s Progress, and Amplify (formerly Wireless Generation), providing support and leadership on issues related to business and program development, evaluation, educational technology, and student assessment.

Throughout his career, Daniel has focused on developing education programs and evaluating their effectiveness. Under his leadership at the Center for Supportive Schools, the organization was awarded and stewarded multiple federal research and evaluation grants, including US Department of Education (USED) Investing in Innovation (i3) grants, USED Education Innovation and Research (EIR) grants, and US Department of Health Rigorously Evaluating New Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program grants, among others.

Daniel served for 17 years (2001-2018) on the Board of Trustees of the Northeast Charter Schools Network, which through 2012 had been named the New York Charter Schools Association. In 2011, he was appointed to the U.S. Department of Education Regional Advisory Committee representing the Mid-Atlantic states generally (DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA), and New York State specifically. In 2018, he served as a member of the Partners Collaborative for the Aspen Institute’s National Commission on Social, Emotional, and Academic Development. That same year, he was admitted into Education Reimagined’s Learning Lab Community. In 2022, Daniel joined the What School Could Be community. Also in 2022, he served on the Alignment Team for the strategic planning process of Princeton Public Schools, his local school district in New Jersey where his children attended school.

Daniel holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Princeton University.