On February 26, Brown’s Urban Education Policy (UEP) program hosted a gathering designed to foster meaningful connections between current students and accomplished alumni. Unlike a traditional panel format, this “un-panel” allowed for deeper dialogue, providing students with valuable insights into career pathways in education policy.

The event featured three UEP alumni, each bringing unique experiences and perspectives. 

• Julia Mann, UEP ‘23 serves as an Education Specialist at the Rhode Island Department of Education, where she leads initiatives to diversify the teacher workforce and enhance educator effectiveness. With experience managing programs such as mentorship for educators of color and licensure preparation, Julia plays a crucial role in shaping the educational landscape in Rhode Island. 
• Alexandra Medeiros, UEP ‘23 is a dedicated equitable education advocate and data analyst. Serving as a Transformation Analyst in the Boston Public Schools district, Alex works closely with the lowest-performing schools in Massachusetts to support their continuous improvement. Her commitment to enhancing education for vulnerable youth drives her work in policy reform and community organizing. 
• Chiv Heng, UEP ‘20 is the Senior Director of Operations at Blackstone Valley Prep Mayoral Academy, where he brings over 15 years of experience in educational leadership. In his role, he oversees student enrollment, strengthens business, technology, and data systems across departments, and coaches non-instructional staff at the school level. 

The gathering began with introductions from the panelists, who shared reflections on their career journeys and the pressing challenges they’ve encountered in their roles. The event featured a small-group rotation format, where students engaged with each panelist in an intimate setting. Discussions covered a range of topics, including how the panelists transitioned from UEP to their current roles, the ways they influence policy and equity efforts in their work, and the day-to-day realities of their jobs. After 10–15 minutes of discussion, students rotated to speak with a new panelist, ensuring they had the opportunity to hear diverse perspectives.

The event concluded with a collective conversation, where students reflected on key takeaways and panelists offered final thoughts. Professor Emily Qazilbash, Director of the UEP program, emphasized the value of these conversations, stating, "We set up these sessions to facilitate dialogue between our students and alumni to not only deepen students’ understanding of the complexities of education policy but also to empower them to imagine their potential as future leaders and change agents. Hearing from alumni who were in their shoes not long ago can be especially impactful, offering both inspiration and a tangible sense of what’s possible in the field.”

For many students, the “un-panel” was a valuable opportunity to explore how their UEP experience can translate into meaningful careers. By fostering connections between students and alumni, the UEP program continues to cultivate a strong, engaged community committed to advancing equity in education in Rhode Island and beyond.