University of Wisconsin–Madison

People Type: Alumni Students

Kidane, Sagen

Sagen Kidane is a Ph.D. student in Sociology at Brown University. Her research examines the relationship between race, class, education, and inequality using qualitative methods. Currently, Sagen is thinking about how school and neighborhood contexts shape identity construction processes and postsecondary transitions for Black youth. Another project she is working on looks at the role of …

Koberstein, Abby

Abby Koberstein is, first and foremost, a learner, a listener, and a feeler. She leads with these traits in all aspects of her life, including her identity as a scholar. Abby is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis. Prior to her doctoral program, Abby …

Mathew, Aaron

Aaron Mathew is an undergraduate research assistant pursuing Economics & Mathematics degrees at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the class of 2026. He is the outreach director for Equilibrium: The Undergraduate Journal of Economics, a founding member of the Economics Inclusion Board within the Department of Economics, and a member of the UW–Madison Mock Trial team. …

McKie, Ava

Ava McKie is a B.A. candidate in History and International and Public Affairs at Brown University. Studying both the creation of inequitable systems and their potential policy solutions, she is interested in how to close the education achievement gap.

Mills, Lauryn

Lauryn Mills is a freshman and research assistant at Brown University, concentrating in neuroscience and education policy. She is passionate about promoting equity in education, STEM, women’s empowerment, and creative expression.

Neuman, Li Fei

Li Fei Neuman is a proud Chinese adoptee from DeForest, WI. She is a current senior at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, pursuing a B.S. in Elementary Education (K-9) with certificates in Teaching English as a Second Language (K-12) and Early Childhood Education (Birth-3). She also studied Mandarin for five semesters. She has completed practicum placements in …

Odell, Sarah

Sarah Odell is a feminist scholar, researcher, and educator with extensive experience working with influential women and developing gender-focused programming. Sarah currently serves as the founding director of the Center for Gender and Ethical Leadership in Society at the Hewitt School, a K–12 girls’ school in New York City. Sarah’s dissertation on how the gender identity …

Siddiqui, Javeria

Javeria Siddiqui is an M.A. student in the Education and Economics program at Teachers College, Columbia University. Her current research interests include using quantitative analysis and econometric methods to understand the factors hindering childhood development and education. Prior to joining Teachers College, Javeria worked as a management consultant, where she participated in various corporate strategy and …

Sveum, Madison

Madison Sveum is an Information Science Major with a Minor in Digital Studies from Wauwatosa, WI. She works as a research and communications assistant for the CALL/ECL project. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym, watching Formula 1, and reading. 

Zhang, Lan

Lan Zhang is a master’s student in Applied Statistics at Teachers College, Columbia University. During her undergraduate period, she has been exploring statistical methods in analyzing K–12 performance and related assessments. With previous experiences in data visualizations and machine learning, Lan obtained enthusiasm to understand and contribute to the combination of education and data analytics. …