The Wei LAB has served as a launch pad for some amazing professionals who are making a real difference in people’s lives. These former staff members contributed significantly to the establishment and advancement of the mission of the LAB. We are proud of everything our former staff members have achieved during their time in the Wei LAB and beyond. Learn more about former staff members and student alumni below.

Former Staff

Dr. LaVar J. Charleston, former Assistant Director and Senior Research Associate, is Assistant Vice Chancellor at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Dr. Lesley-Anne Pittard, former Wei LAB Chief Liaison for External and Strategic Partnerships, is Assistant Vice President for Campus and Community Engagement at the University of Oregon

Vanessa McDowell, former LAB Administrator, is Chief Executive Officer at YMCA Madison.

Lane Hanson, former Wei LAB Special Projects Manager and Research Assistant, is Child Advocacy Project Coordinator at the Center for Patient Partnerships.

Rebecca Polar, former Research and Technical Writer, is a Senior Grants Specialist at Ellucian.

Samuel Rebenstorf, former LAB Manager, is a Legislative Analyst at Wisconsin Legislative Audit Bureau.

Dr. Elizabeth M. O’Callaghan, former Senior Research Associate, is Editor for Wisconsin Collaborative Education Research Network (The Network).

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Former Research Associates and Graduate Alumni

Mauriell Amechi, former Research Associate, is a Student-Centered Higher Education Practitioner.

Ibrahim Bicak, former Research Associate, is a PhD student at University of Texas at Austin.

Denise Dortch, former Research Associate, is the Program Manager of The African-American Doctoral Scholars Initiative at University of Utah. 

Yanzhuo Niu, former Research Associate, is a PhD student in Human Development in the Department of Educational Psychology at University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Walter P. Parrish III, former Research Associate, is the Director of Multicultural Affairs at Pritzker School of Medicine.

Jonathan Berhanu, former Research Associate, is a PhD candidate and Research Fellow in Educational Policy Studies and Gender & Women Studies at University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Ryan Adserias, former Research Associate, is PhD candidate in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Benjamin Toff, former Editorial Associate, is Assistant Professor in the Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

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Former Undergraduate Research Assistants and Alumni

Jerrod Walker, former Undergraduate Research Assistant, is the Manager in the department of Staff Diversity Equity & Inclusion at Teach for America in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Anthony Williams, former Undergraduate Research Assistant, is the Associate Director for Partner Relations at Year Up.

Zina Hodge, former Undergraduate Research Assistant, is Assistant Director of Urban Outreach Initiatives at Boston College Lynch School.

Tyler Muller, former Undergraduate Research Assistant, is the Senior ED Scribe at Elite Medical Scribes.

Nicole Lang, former Undergraduate Research Assistant, is a Research Associate at Institutional Effectiveness at Columbia College.

Gabriel Parker, former Undergraduate Research Assistant, is a High School Social Studies Teacher at Modern Knowledge School of Bahrain.

 Eric Smith, former Technology Development Specialist, is a Product Advisor at Microsoft.

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Former Undergraduate Office Staff and Alumni

Houa Lee, former Communications Specialist, is a Master of Social Work Student at the University of Washington.

Amani Breanna Alexander, former Communications Specialist, is a Production Assistant at TruTV and Viacom.

Leora Goldblatt, former Communications Specialist, is the Area Director of American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).

Mia Sato, former Communications Specialist, is the Engagement Editor at Better Government Association.

Abbey Schneider, former Communications Specialist, previously served as the 2015 Art Director at Curb Magazine.

Jonathan Williams, former Communications Specialist, is a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Florida.

Michelle Boone, former Undergraduate Office Assistant, is the Account Executive at Gartner. 

Jo’Niece Monk, former Communications Specialist, is the owner of O.N.F.Y.A.H.

Jasmine Bounds, former Communications Specialist, is on the Staff for the Institute for the Transformation of Learning at Marquette University.

Jamie Sheskey, former Communications Specialist.

Leah Foecke, former Undergraduate Office Manager, is an Analyst at Keybridge.

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