Graduation 2025

Marjorie Sheiman '24, mezzo-soprano, is performing the national anthem at the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony and Graduation. Sheiman is a 2024 graduate of the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University.

The chief student success officer at Omega Graduate School of the American Center for Research in the Social Sciences, Brenda Davis dedicates her work to children, families and social science research-faith integration in higher education. A former Chicago and Prince George’s County public school teacher, she earned her Master of Science in Education from Johns Hopkins in 2016 and a PhD in social research from Omega Graduate School. Davis is the founder and CEO of the Othniel Project, a social research initiative, and has completed residencies and partnerships with the Library of Congress and Wycliffe Hall in Oxford, England.

Mary Fran Park chairs the Science Department at Kent Denver School and is committed to equity in STEM. A former marine biochemist and climate researcher, she previously taught at The Bishop’s School in La Jolla. She mentors underrepresented students in STEM and doctoral students through Johns Hopkins, where she also serves as a teaching assistant. A lifelong learner, she advocates for antiracist education and inclusive, empowering science programs for all students.

Rachel McClam is a doctoral candidate whose research centers on educational equity, broadly, and mathematics equity, specifically, with a focus on understanding ways to support teachers to adopt inclusive practices and dismantle mechanisms of exclusion in math classrooms. She employs mixed methods in her work. Prior to beginning her doctoral studies, Rachel was a principal at a Title I middle school in Washington, DC. She began her career in education as a math teacher.

Darrin Brozene is principal of Baltimore Design School, serving grades 6–12 with a focus on design and CTE. He began teaching social studies in 2006 through the Baltimore City Teaching Residency, later joining New Leaders to enter administration. Under his leadership, BDS earned top rankings city- and statewide. A former mentor and lead teacher, he prioritizes academic intervention and differentiated instruction, helping close achievement gaps and fostering student success through relationships and data-driven leadership.

Ashanti Porter is a veteran educator and principal of LEGENDS at Leith Walk Elementary Middle School in Baltimore. With nearly 20 years in the city’s public school system, she holds degrees in criminal justice, teaching, and educational leadership, and is pursuing an EdD in organizational leadership. Known for her innovation and dedication to student achievement, Ms. Porter leads with a focus on equity, empowerment, and lifelong learning within Baltimore’s dynamic school landscape.

Luca Khalsa teaches English language arts at Waianae High School in Hawai‘i and is pursuing a master’s degree in education at Johns Hopkins. Raised across India, Italy, and the U.S., his multicultural perspective informs his commitment to student growth. Disillusioned by disengagement in American classrooms, Luca aims to merge the best of global education systems. He builds strong community ties through education and aspires to elevate academic expectations while supporting students holistically.

Dr. Linda Regan is vice chair for education and an associate professor in Emergency Medicine at Johns Hopkins. A national leader in residency training, she chairs the ACGME EM Residency Review Committee and led the specialty’s program revision. She has received numerous national awards, delivered 70-plus invited lectures, and authored over 40 publications. A former EM program director for 13 years, Dr. Regan holds a master’s in education from Johns Hopkins and mentors educators nationwide.

Sarah Caroleo is a doctoral candidate at Johns Hopkins University's School of Education. She studies the role of K-12 education policy and district leadership in bringing forth more equitable outcomes, namely through instructional development, teacher capacity-building, and critical inclusion.

Paviter Singh is an educator and technologist with over a decade of experience in K–12 education across Southeast Asia. A Fulbright Scholar and current doctoral student at Johns Hopkins, he focuses on how technology transforms teaching. His dissertation explores tech-enhanced pedagogy, and he developed Pedagram.com, a free app used by over 8,000 teachers to reflect on classroom tech use. Paviter’s work centers on learning design, professional development, and creating impactful educational tools.

Dr. Kara Beth Thompson has spent over a decade developing postgraduate medical education programs in Africa, notably helping launch Somaliland’s first residency. She earned her M.D. from the University of Louisville and trained in family medicine and obstetrics. While earning her master's, she led obstetric emergency simulations in Sierra Leone, supported by JHU and Global Surgical Initiative grants. With Johns Hopkins MEHP training, she continues to mentor and support global medical education initiatives.

Michele Parker-Evans is a Baltimore-born educator and aspiring school counselor with over 15 years of experience as a secondary math teacher. Currently completing her MS in School Counseling at Johns Hopkins, she advocates for student empowerment through education and mentorship. She serves as a youth mental health first aid instructor and school counseling representative for Chi Sigma Iota’s Lambda Chapter. Michele will return to Baltimore City Public Schools as a school counselor at Henderson-Hopkins.

Jeremy Hardy is earning his MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Johns Hopkins. Previously, he led national healthy-masculinity initiatives at Men Can Stop Rape, applying a public health prevention lens. A Goucher College graduate, Jeremy was recognized for service and leadership in athletics. After graduation, he will pursue licensure in Washington, D.C., at M&K Counseling. He is committed to equity in mental health and originally hails from Brooklyn, NY.

Yaodong Xu is currently working as a teacher in Redwood City, California. Yaodong is an educator with a bachelor’s degree in cognitive psychology from UCSC and a master’s degree in education from Johns Hopkins University. He values a student-centered learning approach by focusing on project-based learning. His goal is to bring engaging learning experiences to his students. Outside of work, he enjoys photography and basketball.

Jenny Murnane Butcher is a former teacher and current public education advocate residing in Helena, Montana. She taught fifth grade, Title 1, and middle school science for five years before beginning her public education policy and advocacy journey at Montanans Organized for Education in 2022. She is passionate about ensuring that Montana public schools have the resources they need for students to be successful and for teachers to thrive.

David Garnick is a Johns Hopkins master’s student and 8th-grade teacher at Wheeler Middle School in Hawai‘i through Teach For America. He focuses on culturally responsive teaching, sustainability, and civic engagement. A University of Pennsylvania alum, David also leads the Eco Innovators Club, connecting students with local environmental projects. After completing his program, he plans to bring his skills to the East Coast to advance community-based learning and drive educational change.

Driven by a passion for working with individuals with disabilities, Maddy graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in special education and minor in human development. She is currently a five-year special educator in the Montgomery County Public Schools Autism Program with hopes to continue her work in Applied Behavior Analysis, specially helping children develop communication and life skills.

An experienced early childhood educator who is enthusiastic about creating learning environments that allow all students to succeed, Kelsey began teaching in 2017 and currently teaches kindergarten in Harford County Public Schools.