Strengthening Learner Agency Through Student-Led Initiatives and Adult Collaboration

About the Presenters

Joseph Shin participated in the League of Innovative Students’ Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Education Design Cohort with the Center for Inclusive Innovation at Digital Promise. He offered insight and feedback on a Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Education Framework for developing solutions and edtech products that address student needs, such as the current state of kids facing problems due to their background discrimination. A junior at Fox Chapel Area High School in Pennsylvania, Joseph challenges himself with rigorous course loads, shows an interest in the field of mathematics, and participates in many clubs that are directed towards helping people, such as being the president of the Unified Best Buddies. Joseph enjoys baking things, a good challenge, running cross country, playing his cello, and reading.

Keena Weigel is a junior on the girls’ tennis team at South Hills High School in California. She was part of the LOIS Challenge Map cohort and researched how education systems can improve the learning experience for elementary school students. Keena is an avid Sally Rooney reader, loves math and physics, and is a self-employed nail technician.

Shriya Krishnamurthy is a freshman at the University of Pittsburgh in the David C. Frederick Honors College, planning to pursue an electrical engineering degree along with certificates in cybersecurity and quantum computing and information. She was part of two cohorts in the League of Innovative Students between 2023 and 2024. Shriya is fascinated by photonics, optics, and social innovation and intends to conduct research within those fields, as well as research within fields of civic engagement and equity.

Sherenna Bates serves as Project Director of R&D Partnerships at Digital Promise. Her extensive experience in K-12 public school system leadership and expertise in driving equity-focused initiatives inform her work in designing opportunities for collaboration between BIPOC solution providers and districts to address challenges and discover equity-centered solutions. In her previous role as Director of Mentoring Services at Kansas City Public Schools, she pioneered the development and implementation of a portfolio of mentoring programs across 32 campuses. Instrumental in volunteer management, she partnered with nonprofit, for-profit, and civic organizations citywide to achieve diverse programming, including postsecondary preparation, exploration of career pathways, STEM, and academic and social-emotional support and resources. Sherenna earned a Master of Arts in education from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a Bachelor of Science in organizational communication from the University of Central Missouri.

Cassie Graves is the R&D Program Manager at Digital Promise’s Center for Inclusive Innovation and leads the League of Innovative Students program, which aims to elevate the voices of HSE students and create processes for centering student voices in the education R&D landscape. Her work includes supporting community core teams in developing equitable solutions and engaging in co-design with students, educators, and families. Cassie holds a bachelor’s degree in international studies – sociology from the University of California, San Diego, and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of San Diego. She has a passion for elevating student voices and promoting early STEM education.