The American University School of Education is pleased to continue its expansion with this new faculty and promoted faculty and staff.

New Faculty and Staff

Shaina Ayers, Graduate Program Coordinator for ARASL

Jessica Cisneros, Project Director of the Residency for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (RETL)
Cisneros has worked in the education field in DC for 20 years. Coming to SOE in May, she was formerly an instructional coach for City Teaching Alliance and an adjunct instructor with Johns Hopkins University. She has taught students from preschoolers to adult learners. While a classroom teacher she was also a teacher leader, a mentor teacher and an Understood Teaching Fellow. Cisneros earned an MEd in Elementary Education and an MEd in Special Education/Moderate Disabilities, both from Lesley University. She is passionate about supporting teacher development with the goal of ensuring that each in Washington, DC, has access to the high-quality and effective instruction they deserve and that every teacher feels supported as they undertake this critically important work.
 

Ju'Quay Collyear, Associate Director of Student Engagement and Events
Haling from Indianapolis, IN, Collyear joins SOE as the new Associate Director of Student Engagement and Events later this month. Previously she was the Assistant Director of Programming and Traditions at Johns Hopkins University where she directly advised the campus programming board and planned Johns Hopkins's large-scale traditional events. She is passionate about building community and providing students the resources needed to foster a sense of belonging, achieve their professional and personal goals, and create an outstanding student experience. When not focused on event logistics, she enjoys dancing with her soon-to-be two-year-old daughter, reading, traveling, and watching movies.
 

Kashena Crenshaw, Graduate Program Coordinator for City Teaching Alliance

Monica Konschnik, Pre-Award Grants and Contracts Coordinator
Konschnik collaborates with faculty to prepare and submit research proposals and budgets to sponsors. She also works with the research team to provide resources for faculty through the research newsletter and support meetings. She previously worked at the Catholic Apostolate Center and completed her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies at the University of Detroit. Konschnik lives in Takoma Park, MD, with her husband and two school-aged daughters. She enjoys gardening, cooking, tennis, and traveling.

 

Liana Petruzzi, Assistant Professor
A dually-appointed assistant professor in Health and Education Equity in the School of Education and the College of Arts and Sciences, Petruzzi incorporates education across her program of research, from psychoeducation and community health education to workforce development and training. She is particularly interested in how care professionals like Community Health Workers and peer support specialists can support youth social and emotional learning. She is evaluating a $5 million Health Resources and Service Administration grant in partnership with Black Mamas ATX and Healing Hands Community Doula Project. Originally from Boston where both parents were unionized teachers, Petruzzi received her PhD and Master's in Social Work at the University of Texas at Austin. She lives with her partner, 4-year-old child, and dog.