Fellows 2022-23

Monique Barrett has spent the last 18 years teaching preschool through 12th grade as an Education Specialist with the San Diego Unified School District. As an Education Specialist at James Madison High School, Monique oversees individualized education plans, is a co-teacher of integrated math courses and runs the after school tutoring program. She also serves as a co-chair of the Madison Equity Team. Monique has completed the RISE Urban Principal Preparation (RISE UPP) Program and serves as an elected member of the San Diego Education Association’s Teachers Union. Monique holds a master’s degree from Azusa Pacific University in Special Education, a K-8 multiple subject credential, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in Speech Communications.

Jake Brymner serves as Deputy Director for Policy and Public Affairs at the California Student Aid Commission, the nation’s largest state financial aid agency. In his role at the Commission, Jake leads efforts to develop policies to meet student needs and bring the message of financial aid to a wide audience. Prior to joining the Commission, Jake was the State and Federal Policy Director for the Campaign for College Opportunity, a nonprofit policy research and advocacy organization that promotes college access and student success. Jake has also previously held roles in the office of Congressman Eric Swalwell, the Goldman School of Public Policy, and several political campaigns. In addition to his work at the Commission, Jake serves in leadership roles with several nonprofit organizations, including the New Leaders Council of Sacramento, the East Bay Leadership Council, and the Alliance for Education Solutions. Jake received his bachelor’s degrees in History and Political Science at the University of California, Berkeley.

Dr. Jerome T. Countee Jr. is the Vice Chancellor of Educational Services and Institutional Effectiveness for the State Center Community College District. Dr. Countee has more than 20 years of experience as a leader in rural, urban, and suburban institutions of higher education with large diverse student populations. His experience includes economic and workforce development, integrated planning, legislative advocacy, online learning, international education, accreditation, institutional research, budgeting, and external funding. Before becoming Vice Chancellor, Dr. Countee worked as Associate Vice President of Economic and Workforce Development at American River College. Dr. Countee also served as the Director of Continuing Education and Business Partnerships at Prince George’s Community College.  Prior to that, Dr. Countee also directed professional education programs at the University of Maryland Global Campus (formerly University College), and later at George Washington University in Washington, DC. Dr. Countee earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from UMBC, a master’s degree in Public Administration from Western Kentucky University, and an Ed.D. from Morgan State University.

Dr. Karen Engel currently serves as the Dean of Planning, Research, Innovation and Effectiveness at Cañada College. Dean Engel leads all college-wide strategic planning and continuous improvement processes, including the implementation of Guided Pathways, AB 705, strategic enrollment management, equity, and antiracism. Dr. Engel has also served as the Dean of Research and Planning at the College of Alameda and as the Director of Economic and Workforce Development for the Peralta Community College District. While at the Peralta District Office, Dr. Engel provided vision and leadership for the development and coordination of the District’s career pathway programs, raising over $35 million in state, federal and private workforce development resources for the four Peralta Colleges. Prior to her community college experience, Dr. Engel spent more than 20 years working internationally and domestically assisting regions, states, and countries to develop and implement economic development strategies and initiatives. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history and economics from Brown University and a Ph.D. in international relations and economics from the Fletcher School at Tufts University.

Joshua Hagen serves as the Policy Director for the Campaign for College Opportunity, where he works to shape and advance policy to increase college access, ensure student success, and improve college affordability for Californians. In this capacity, he has led initiatives to improve transfer and expand equitable access to financial aid. In addition to supporting the Campaign’s current policy agendas, Josh has a keen interest in policy implementation, leading efforts to ensure that previous policy initiatives are implemented with fidelity and supporting students in reaching their college goals. Josh holds a master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs from New York University and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Communication from State University of New York, College at Geneseo.  

Joel Knudson is a principal researcher at the American Institutes for Research, where he has contributed to educational research and evaluation projects since joining the organization in 2003. In this role, Joel chairs the California Collaborative on District Reform, a learning community of district leaders, policymakers, researchers, advocates, support providers, and funders that examines the district role in improving instruction and student learning for all students, with a particular focus on equity and access. He also leads and contributes to studies of school improvement efforts within the state and across the country. Joel holds a master’s degree in Policy, Organization, and Leadership Studies (POLS) from the Stanford Graduate School of Education, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Stanford University.