The power of our community resides in reimagining the possibilities while exploring avenues of resolutions that affect meaningful change.
Dr. Maha Jacobs’ leadership philosophy is “to empower others in their quest to recognize and fully realize their potential, however they define it.” She upholds this philosophy in the classroom as a Communication faculty at Berkeley City College, facilitating the learning journeys of undergraduates.
Dr. Jacobs completed her undergraduate and Master in Communication at Campbell University, and California State University East Bay, respectively. She earned a doctorate in Educational Leadership for Social Justice from California State University, East Bay. Dr. Jacobs combines her academic knowledge, life experiences, and intersectional insights and identities in serving within the community college and volunteering in various communities. Her academic research focuses on identity representation and negotiation of marginalized communities, ethnic and religious discrimination, extremism, and Islamophobia, but her passion is developing leaders to affect meaningful change.
Dr. Julie Rems-Smario is committed to advocating for early language and education programs, as well as K-12 education for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students in her current role as an Education Programs Consultant at the California Department of Education’s Deaf Education Unit. Additionally, she is a key participant in California’s EHDI and LEAD-K Family Services, serving as one of the statewide coordinators for the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) programs.
Dr. Rems-Smario completed her Ed.D. in educational leadership and social justice from California State University, East Bay. She also has her BA and MA from California State University, Northridge and MS from San Francisco State University. Additionally, she shares her expertise as an adjunct faculty teacher at California State University, Northridge (CSUN).
Adisa Sefic is an artist and a Graphic Designer whose experience includes: children’s books, package designs, web designs, brochures, style guides, and advertisements. Sefic completed a Bachelor of Fine Art degree with a double major in Graphic Design and Illustration at California State University, East Bay. She has a love for making children’s books with fantasy imaginary stories. Her pictures are based on nature, landscape with people, and creatures. Sefic exhibits in the Fine Art sphere such as the city of Hayward, CA Sun Gallery (Hayward Planet, summer 2019). She was also at California State University, East Bay, Art Gallery Exhibit summer 2020.
Karkanias is a graduate of the Deaf-Centered Interpreting Preparation Program at Ohlone College. She works wholeheartedly as an Accessibility Coordinator, Sign Language Interpreter, and co-conspirator with the Deaf Community. Her commitment extends beyond professional roles, spending personal time to collaborate with like-minded advocates to maximize inclusivity and empowerment.
Kadu wears multiple professional hats as a staff interpreter at California State University, East Bay, and at CSU Stanislaus; she is also a freelance quadrilingual interpreter, and a Substitute Teacher at the California School for the Deaf-Fremont, CA. A lifelong learner, Kadu finds gratification and fulfillment through her pro bono and volunteer work, and her allyship with various Deaf-led organizations.
Dr. Tuwe Mehn has over twenty years of business, nonprofit, and educator experience. She served as the Caucus chair for the Early Childhood Education (ECE) teachers and ECE Representative for a union at a large school district in the Bay Area. In 2021, Dr. Mehn earned a Doctorate in Educational Leadership for Social Justice degree at California State University, East Bay. Her research study examined why Black boys in preschool were disproportional in the expulsion from their learning environments. She created Equity in Early Learning, Knowledge, and Services, (EELKS), of which she is currently the executive director, as an extension of her dissertation study.
Dr. Mehn’s nonprofit experiences include forming and serving as the current President for Foundation for African Children Education and Health Services (FACEHS), Co-founding the Center for Leadership Equity in Early Learning, (CLEREL) and also serving as the President for the United Nimba County Citizen Council (UNICCO), California Chapter, where she advocates for diversity, equity, inclusion and equal opportunity for all, especially marginalized, underprivileged families and communities.
Dr. Kristin Vogel-Campbell (she/her/hers), is a veteran Special Educator and leader with over twenty years of experience in the field. She has held various roles in education, including paraeducator, Special Day Class Teacher, Resource Specialist, Program Specialist, Coordinator, and Director of Student Services and Special Education. A native New Yorker, Kristin holds a Bachelor’s degree from Hunter College, CUNY, and a Master’s in Education from New York University. She has since earned credentials in teaching and administration from California State University, Sacramento, and California State University, East Bay. She returned to CSUEB and earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership in 2021.
Dr. Vogel-Campbell’s dissertation work focused on the experiences of parents of students who receive Special Education services. Her humanizing research approach is based on narrative inquiry and centering on the perspectives of the experts, and the families. Dr. Vogel-Campbell’s first book, Partnering with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Families in Special Education, was published by Rowman and Littlefield in December of 2023.
Victor S. Small, Jr., MAE, a doctoral candidate at California State University, East Bay, is a passionate advocate for Restorative Justice and a dedicated champion of equitable learning spaces for black and brown students. With a deep understanding of the educational system, Mr. Small has actively pursued opportunities to effect positive change and amplify the voices of marginalized communities. He is an influential voice in the field who has advocated for equity in education on numerous platforms, including the Leading Equity Summit, Cult of Pedagogy, and Learning for Justice (formerly Teaching for Tolerance). Mr. Small brings a message of hope that inspires educators and stakeholders to embrace Restorative Justice principles and work toward transformative educational practices, challenging systemic inequities and dismantling barriers that hinder black and brown students’ academic and personal growth. Mr. Small doctoral research examines the relationships between black students and white teachers in an attempt to understand best practices for providing effective learning experiences for black students.
Dr. Liann Osborne holds a master’s degree in vocational Rehabilitation from San Francisco State University, and a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from California State University, East Bay. Dr. Osborne obtained her doctorate in Educational Leadership for Social Justice from California State University, East Bay. Her research centers on Black Deaf Lives Matter in Deaf Education: Educators who reinforced and counter anti-Blackness while working with Black Deaf students in Deaf Education. Dr. Osborne has extensive professional experiences that push her to evolve to be a better educator and school leader. Her professional experiences have sparked a luminosity within her where she gravitates towards teaching Black and Brown Deaf students the beauty of their existence. She applies Abolitionist pedagogy to teach and lead with love, compassion for all marginalized Deaf students.
Message cofusion group on WhatsApp
Tel: 510-255-6001
Email: info@cofusiongroup.org
Nonprofit tax exempt ID:
86-1782036
Copyright All Rights Reserved © 2024 - Website Design by CalApps