Speakers

Maryam Ahranjani is an award-winning professor of law at UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she teaches courses related to constitutional law, criminal law, and education law. She writes and speaks about these same subjects, including her recent book, Women in Criminal Law: A Practical Guide to Inclusive and Thriving Workplaces (ABA Publishing, 2026) and her law review article “Unarresting School Safety” (Nevada Law Journal, 2025).

Michael Baty is currently serving as the professional learning specialist for the Black Education Act. From Albuquerque, New Mexico, Michael has spent the majority of his life actively serving the Albuquerque community through educational opportunities, mentorship, and community service. He attended Eastern New Mexico University where he attained a bachelors in music science with a minor in communicative disorders. This allowed him to begin his early teaching career in which he primarily taught k–12 special education. During this time he aligned his teaching with his masters degree program and obtained his masters degree in special education pedagogy and learning from Eastern New Mexico University.

Michael Baty is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. where he currently serves as the director of educational activities. In this role he aids in the facilitation of the Alpha Mentorship Program. Through this program, high school students are provided with guidance and assistance along with tutoring, community service, and scholarship attainment opportunities.

Michael takes pride in being able to provide students in New Mexico with positive and high level learning experiences while advocating for the correct methods of teaching to be actively applied.

Jed Duggan is in his 27th year in education. He has worked with board members as a charter leader and as a central office administrator in Gadsden ISD. He designed the MLSS processes for Gadsden ISD which was recognized as a model for the state of New Mexico. Since May 2024, he has worked within the NM PED where one of his primary responsibilities is to update guidance and provide professional development to district and school leadership on the implementation of their MLSS processes.

Plasma physicist and developer of community-centered anti-oppression flourishing futures, Professor James, an expert innovator, has demonstrated outcomes to further the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Energy, Coast Guard, Air Force, and the American Physical Society’s Division of Plasma Physics STEM and workforce initiatives. Industry and academic experts routinely leverage Plasma Physics and expertise as the Air Force Institute of Technology Chief Workforce Ocer for over 10,000 in-person and remote members. The lead “Healthy to Innovative” spaces integrator and STEM-mindedness cultivator for over 3,000 professional society members. Consummate academic and military service professional empowering hiring, project development, and innovative climates for over a thousand individuals over the past 27 years. Plasma Physics and Workforce Development expertise is routinely sought by eld experts such as DOE Oce of Science’s Workshop on Fusion Energy Development via Public-Private Partnerships for the White House, Thea Fusion Energy Company’s Advisory Board, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory Fusion Energy and Nonproliferation Workshop SME, and Inertial Fusion Energy Basic Research Needs – Workforce Development Crosscut Panel. Prof James also served as a founding Member of New London’s Science, Technology, and Mathematics Magnet School and a member of the Nuclear Energy Advisory Council for the state of CT.

Royce is a recently retired Coast Guard Captain (O6) as a member of the Permanent Commissioned Teaching Sta at the United States Coast Guard Academy with an earned academic rank of full professor. With a doctorate in plasma physics from Stevens Institute of Technology, masters in plasma physics from the Applied Physics Department at Columbia University, and B.S. in physics with minors in music and mathematics from New Mexico State University, Royce has expertise in both our burgeoning Fusion/Plasma Ecosystem and Leadership, Workforce Development, and Community Futures Development.

A United States Coast Guard active duty military member, with over 28 years of enlisted and over service, Royce has served as the Coast Guard Academy Plasma Lab (CGAPL) director for over 15 years. In that time, over 34 undergraduate, eight masters, and three Ph.D. students, plus a PostDoc have matriculated through CGAPL with 24 associated student presentations at national conferences and six publications. In 2025, Professor James established the Howard University Plasma Lab (HUPL) as the executive director. HUPL is a nexus for problem-posed hands-on undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral, and researcher (early career to emeritus) exploratory pedagogy. Our focus is on magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) physics and other applications that positively impact our communities. HUPL is where investigations into plasma physics experiments are required to identify and conceive of solutions to today’s and tomorrow’s scientific challenges. Experiments currently take shape in four general research areas: [1] Fusion energy and (high temperature and density) plasma propulsion diagnostic development on the Helicon plasma Experiment (HPX), [2] Low temperature and density plasma water treatment investigations, [3] Space plasma and weather studies, and [4] Cosmochemistry research into the origins and evolution of our Solar System. Helicon plasmas in a low-pressure regime and a discharge plasma in the standard temperature and plasma (STP) regime are being explored with typical magnetic, particle, optical, and emissive probes and other diagnostics that will be developed as learning tools and for use in experiments. CGAPL utilizes a Quantel 2.5 J high energy laser for Thomson Scattering, as they continue to expand their data collection ability. These purchases are moving the lab toward the development of invaluable diagnostics on the Helicon plasma experiment (HPX) to yield real-time, simultaneous measurements of electron plasma temperature and density can be measured with a high degree of accuracy using a high energy laser beam pulse. Research at HUPL leverages working relationships with Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), Naval Research Lab (NRL), and Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT). Air Force Research Lab’s Directed Energy Joint Technology Oce (DE-JTO), the Coast Guard, and other stakeholders have contributed in resourcing these initiatives.

American Physical Society’s Division of Plasma Physics Organizing Collective Committee. This Grassroots Organizing Collective Committee (OCC) was assembled to better ascertain DPP’s current STEM-workforce development health and move forward in creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive DPP. Generally, Plasma Physicists are not subject matter experts in issues of climate and STEM-workforce development, so the OCC recommendations for outside support are vital. In particular, the OCC connected outside subject matter experts to study the climate within plasma physics via the division. OCC has determined that more specific STEM-workforce development training is required to unpack this data effectively. The OCC encourages the DPP to implement evidence based near-term actions that promote a positive climate such as training in cultural competence for all members, psychological safety, and bystander intervention for program managers and principal investigators; enacting new internship and funding opportunities for historically marginalized groups; and adopting a human relations code & bias incident policy at institutions and technical meetings.

Leading Change – Professor James created a “Modied Healthy to Innovative Framework” from Dr. Kimberly McLear’s “Healthy to Innovative Framework” (HTI®Framework) that begins with psychological safety, followed by moral courage, cultural competence, community, justice, mission readiness, and nally innovation. The Modied HTI®Framework is highly versatile in its application to both groups and institutions. Prof. James and Dr. McLear have extensively taught and guided its application. From years of experience, Royce created a theory of change that centers on the transformative development of Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) and the HTI®Framework for implementation by the OCC. This theory of change employs the Modied HTI®Framework in a three-phase approach: planning, early implementation, then assessment and improvement, with a DTS logic model as the evolutionary driver for each of the three.

Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) Chief Workforce Ocer (CWO) develops, implements, executes, and influences policies related to the workforce by guiding, facilitating, and evaluating critical processes on behalf of the institute. AFIT, like much of the military, faced issues of division, extremism, and marginalization that stied servicemember cohesion, mission readiness, and innovation. As the CWO, Royce: (1) guided the institution to develop equitable hiring and enrollment management strategies for recruitment and retention of talented students, faculty, and sta from all backgrounds with an emphasis on AFIT’s climate as the central catalyst; (2) cultivated solid professional relationships across the AFIT and Air Force community through engagements with personnel; (3) advised the director and chancellor on sensitive/confidential issues to achieve mission goals; (4) taught, mentored, then advised personnel to develop knowledge, competencies, strategies, and actions to foster psychological safety in the workplace to realize STEM-workforce goals. Exports resulted in comprehensive and integrated action plans to support the AFIT strategic plan and designed assessment methods and techniques to measure progress toward desired outcomes.

Bianca Jones is an educator, community organizer, and facilitator whose career spans over ten years in multiple grade levels at private, public, and charter schools, including work as a classroom teacher, instructional leader, and as a program manager for nonprofit organizations. She currently serves as the family and community engagement coordinator for the Black Education Act of New Mexico.

Her praxis centers developing culturally relevant practices that empower Black students to understand themselves and their history, develop critical thinking and perspective-taking skills, demonstrate intellectual curiosity, and identify themselves as agents of transformation, both of themselves and their communities. Her praxis is rooted in being an educator who facilitates learning alongside students- cultivated in intergenerational spaces where youth and adults learn together, grow together, and work towards justice. She is a dedicated scholar who holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from American University. During her time in Chicago, she engaged in transformative real-world learning with diverse liberatory practitioners and movement leaders. Additionally, she is published in the Journal of Equity & Excellence in Education.

Dr. Lozano began his career in education with LCPS in 2005 after earning a B.S. in elementary bilingual education from New Mexico State University (NMSU). He also earned an M.A. and Ph.D. in educational leadership from NMSU. Dr. Lozano has served in different leadership capacities throughout his career, including high school assistant principal, elementary principal, and district bilingual director. Dr. Lozano’s favorite part of his job is being in classrooms and seeing students engaged in learning. He is also passionate about engaging parents in the education of their children. In his free time, Dr. Lozano enjoys spending time with his wife, Patricia, and two kids, Isabel and Diego.

My name is Olivia Oyinatumba. I am a seasoned educator with over 18 years of experience, currently serving as the principal at James Monroe Middle School. I was born and raised in Nigeria. As an educator in America, I bring a global perspective to education, fostering an inclusive and culturally responsive learning environment where all students feel valued and empowered.

I hold a master’s degree in elementary education and an education specialist (Ed.S.) degree. I am deeply committed to academic excellence and educational leadership. Throughout my career, I have been a passionate advocate for equity in education, emphasizing the importance of representation, cultural awareness, and diversity in the classroom.

As a proud Nigerian, I actively integrate cultural perspectives into the work I do, using ethnic fashion from Africa, particularly Nigeria, as a powerful medium to spark conversations about identity, history, and belonging. Through mentorship, community engagement, and leadership, I strive to create spaces where all stakeholders in the community can celebrate their unique backgrounds while embracing a shared vision of excellence and unity.

Dr. Cleveland Robinson (Dr. Cleve) is a nationally recognized licensed professional counselor supervisor and the founder of Robinson House Behavioral Health Services and The Robinson House Foundation. With over a decade of experience in child and adolescent therapy, family counseling, and school-based mental health, Dr. Cleve specializes in helping families build stronger emotional connections and overcome behavioral and relational challenges.

Dr. Cleve holds a bachelor of arts in religion and philosophy from Fisk University, a master’s in community counseling from Argosy University, and a doctor of education in community care and counseling from Liberty University.

He is licensed to practice in Florida, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Texas, offering high-quality telehealth counseling services for children and families. In addition to therapy, Dr. Cleve provides parent coaching and co-parenting mediation services nationwide, supporting divorced, separated, and blended families with customized guidance that prioritizes the child’s well-being.

As the creator of Sammy the Soul Kid, a children’s book series promoting emotional literacy, and host of the YouTube series Parenthood Is, Dr. Cleve offers accessible, weekly content focused on mental health education, parenting strategies, and family wellness.

Whether in private practice, on stage, or through digital platforms, Dr. Cleve is committed to delivering culturally responsive, family-centered care and helping communities thrive one conversation at a time.

Dr. Brandi Stone works as the director at UNM African American Student Services and special advisor to the president on African American Affairs. Her passion is to assist Black students in their college navigation towards graduation, specifically through intersectional identity work. Brandi is from New Mexico and received her bachelor of arts in political science and her master’s in public administration from the University of New Mexico. She earned a PhD at New Mexico State in educational leadership. Additionally, Brandi serves as a national board member for the Association of Black Culture Centers. She is a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two boys at lobo athletics games and out in the outdoors exploring New Mexico.

Dr. Patricia Trujillo joined the New Mexico Higher Education Department as deputy secretary in November of 2020. She formerly served as founding director of the Office of Equity and Diversity at Northern New Mexico College since 2013, where she oversaw programming to address access and inclusion for historically underrepresented populations in higher education. Key initiatives included leading development of co-curricular assessment and student learning outcomes for cultural sustainability, creation of student support groups such as the Hermanas Juntas and Black and African American Student Organization, and oversight of the ¡Sostenga! farm.

Born and raised in the Española Valley, Trujillo has dedicated her career to improving social engagement via critical education, social justice, and community-building. She has served on multiple commissions and boards, including the Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area, Tewa Women United, NewMexicoWomen.Org, and the Los Alamos National Laboratory Foundation. Trujillo also has more than 15 years of experience in higher education and is a tenured professor at Northern New Mexico College. She has taught in the areas of Chicana/Chicano studies, Southwest literature, Indigenous history, and New Mexico history, and has published work in multiple academic books and journals.

She has a Ph.D. in United States Latina/Latino literature from the University of Texas San Antonio, an M.A. in English from the University of Nebraska, and a B.A. in English with a supplemental major in law and society from New Mexico State University.

As curriculum specialist for the Black Education Act, Dr. Ulibarri is a passionate advocate for creating inclusive spaces where every individual’s story is heard and valued. He is dedicated to fostering well-being and belonging for all, both in education and beyond. Dr. Ulibarri holds degrees from Eastern New Mexico University, Bowling Green State University, and Liberty University, where he studied music education, art, and curriculum studies.

Christopher Woods holds a master of science in family and consumer science and a bachelor of arts in psychology from New Mexico State University. He brings over 20 years of experience in public service, including 21 years working in corrections as both a mental health provider and adult basic education instructor. He has also served as a vocational rehabilitation counselor. Christopher currently works as the anti-racism and anti-oppression portal specialist for the New Mexico Public Education Department, where he supports efforts to create equitable and safe schools. Throughout his career, he has remained committed to serving and advocating for the people of New Mexico.

Kimberly currently oversees the Black Education Bureau for the New Mexico Public Education Department. She is a doctoral candidate at Grand Canyon University, completing a Ph.D. in psychology with an emphasis in organizational psychology. Her dissertation focuses on perceived organizational support and occupational burnout. She is an independent licensed clinical social worker (mental health therapist) with over 25 years of blended experience in organizational leadership, youth development, training facilitation, and racial and social justice. She excels in education and community-based development, strategic planning, and systemic transformation. Her clinical competencies include resiliency-based mental health assessments, treatment planning, and conducting individual and group therapy with children, youth, and families.

As a servant leader, Kimberly has a proven record of commitment to service. She was appointed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to the New Mexico Racial Justice Council and elected as the diversity coordinator of Las Cruces Chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). She previously held additional community leadership roles as the 2nd vice president of Dona Ana County NAACP (education chair) and a member of the Executive Committee of the State of New Mexico Office of African American Affairs. She has provided consulting services to many organizations including Las Cruces Public Schools, United Way of Southwest New Mexico, Ngage New Mexico, La Casa, and more.

Kimberly holds a bachelor of social work from Capital University. She earned a masters of social administration and a masters of nonprofit organizations (specialization in nonprofit management) from Case Western Reserve University (CWRU). Additionally, Kimberly is an alum of the Treu – Mart Resiliency and Youth Development Fellowship at CWRU’s Mandel Center for Non-Profit Organizations. Her international experience includes organizational and youth development in Bangladesh and the Netherlands. Kimberly holds independent clinical social work license (with supervision designation), non-profit management certification, advanced mediation certification, and No Bullies, No Victims trainer. She is a trust-based relational intervention (TBRI) practitioner, national trainer of nurturing parenting, and circle of security. She is most proud to be a national resiliency trainer and has completed national character education training by the Josephson Institute on Ethics. She is a member of the Phi Alpha National Social Work Honor Society and the Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society for Adult Learners.