The OCEP staff includes education researchers, scientists, curriculum development specialists, software developers, and experienced K-12 educators. Our diverse base of knowledge, experience, and skills allows us to develop and sustain creative programs and initiatives, engage diverse stakeholders, build and sustain partnerships, and bridge the research, practice, and service missions of the University to benefit the community.

Nichole Pinkard

OCEP Faculty Director, Associate Professor, Learning Sciences

Nichole (PhD98), one of the first graduates of SESP's Learning Sciences PhD program, focuses on creating supportive learning spaces, both on and offline and spearheading collaborations through OCEP.  She is the founder of the Digital Youth Network (DYN), and in 2014 received the Northwestern University Alumni Association Alumni Merit Award. She delivered the keynote speech during the 2016 SESP graduate convocation ceremony.

Natalie Bueno

Program and Partnership Coordinator

Natalie works with the Baxter Center for Science Education to develop OCEP’s partnership with Baxter International Inc. and Round Lake Area Schools. Natalie is excited to share her passion for STEM at the Baxter Center’s newest location, Round Lake High School, and Northwestern. In working with OCEP, Natalie promotes equity in STEM education by supporting teacher professional development, providing authentic STEM experiences for students, and developing community partnerships in Lake County. She earned a bachelor's degree in neurobiology and a certificate in Global Health from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Hailey Cox-Montijo

Program Assistant for Evanston Education Partnerships

Hailey is the program assistant at OCEP for Evanston education partnerships. She supports the Northwestern University-Evanston Township High School (ETHS) Partnership Office and the Northwestern-D65 Partnership Office. She works out of the NU-ETHS partnership office located at ETHS and supports school-based and campus activities between the Evanston school districts and community partners, with time also spent on the Northwestern Evanston campus working with the OCEP team. Hailey has previously worked as the principal’s assistant at ETHS. She has a bachelor’s of science in Education and Social Policy from Northwestern University with a major in Human Development & Psychological Studies, and minors in Sociology and Gender & Sexuality Studies.

Emily DePalma Mance

Manager of Programs and Operations

Emily supports all of the programs and partnerships at OCEP and manages the operations of the office. Prior to working at OCEP, she taught elementary school in Chicago Public Schools and holds teaching licenses in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. She holds a bachelors degree and a masters degree from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, and a masters degree from the University of Concordia-Portland. 

Emily Ferrin

Interim Assistant Dean for Community Education Partnerships

Emily oversees and manages the development and administration of OCEP programs and partnerships. She works in collaboration with faculty, staff, community partners and school districts to advance the research, capacity-building, and community partnership goals of OCEP, SESP, Northwestern, and partner organizations. Emily has been a part of OCEP since 2013 working various roles. Most recently she was the Director of Programs, working to operationalize and execute on organizational strategy. For many years previous she was the Program Director & Resident Scientist for the Baxter Center for Science Education. Emily earned a bachelors decree from Marlboro College and a PhD from Dartmouth College.

Lila K. S. Goldstein

Research Data Analyst Lead

Lila has a passion for bringing education research, practice, and policy into alignment. She is leading the work with Northwestern-Evanston Education Research Alliance (NEERA) as the university builds its data and research partnership with the local school districts. She brings over a decade of experience in research and education. Most recently, she facilitated university-led research and conducted practical, actionable research at the Tennessee Department of Education. She has a master's degree in education policy with a focus on quantitative methods from Vanderbilt University.

Mighel Jackson

Implementation Coordinator and Systems Integration Specialist

Mighel is an implementation coordinator and systems integration specialist at OCEP's Digital Youth Network. In this role, Mighel translates complex systems into action on the ground by creating, facilitating, and maintaining spaces that promote a greater understanding of how technical solutions can be integrated most effectively into internal initiatives and external partnerships.  

Camryn Lemke

Administrative Aid

Camryn is an administrative aid with the OCEP office. She supports the OCEP team on various projects that include the preparation, advertisement, and data organization of and for all of OCEP’s community programs and partnerships. Camryn is a current SESP undergraduate studying Social Policy and Global Health.

Jen Lewin

D65-NU Partnership Coordinator

As partnership coordinator with our local K-8 school district, Evanston-Skokie School District 65, Jen serves to facilitate partnership opportunities between Northwestern and District 65. Jen has experience in formal and informal education, most recently working as a middle school science teacher and science coach in the Chicago Public Schools. She has a bachelor's degree in biology from Loyola University, a master's in teaching and learning from from DePaul University, and a master's in educational technology from Michigan State University. 

Kristen Perkins-LaFollette

Northwestern University - Evanston Township High School Partnership Coordinator

Kristen serves as partnership coordinator for the Northwestern University - Evanston Township High School (ETHS) Partnership Office. She focuses on increasing collaboration between ETHS and Northwestern University, as well as bringing new learning opportunities to the students. She previously worked as a science teacher at Roberto Clemente High School in Chicago. Kristen graduated from Purdue University in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in biology education.

Sachin Pradhan

Software Developer

Sachin is the lead software developer for the Baxter Center for Science Education (BCSE) and the Computational Thinking in STEM (CT-STEM) projects. He earned a bachelor's degree in computer engineering from the University of Washington in 2006. 

Gulnura Sultanova

Program Assistant

Gulnura is a program assistant at the OCEP. She supports the OCEP programs and projects by processing purchase requests and assuring the team members have resources they need for successful collaboration and quality work. Gulnura has previously worked as a science teacher in middle school. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Education from Roosevelt University and aspires to pursue a master’s degree in higher education. Gulnura speaks four languages other than English and enjoys watching sunsets in the city by the Michigan Lake.

Naomi Thompson

Postdoctoral Scholar

Naomi is a postdoctoral scholar working on the Digital Youth Divas program. She works across design, implementation, and research of the program with a particular focus on relationship and community building among the Divas youth and their mentors and on the intersections between the arts and other STEM domains toward equitable learning experiences. Naomi earned her doctorate in learning sciences from Indiana University.

Natalie Turner

Administrative Aid

Natalie is an administrative aid with the OCEP office. She supports the OCEP team on projects that include the preparation, advertisement, and data organization of and for many of OCEP’s community programs and partnerships, specifically the Baxter Center for Science Education (BCSE). Natalie is a current Weinberg undergraduate studying neuroscience.

Ashley Walter

Program and Partnership Coordinator

Ashley works for the Baxter Center for Science Education (BCSE) as program and partnership coordinator - Chicago. Ashley helps create professional development workshops and curriculum resources, making them available for middle and high school teachers in the Chicago area. She splits her time between Northwestern University's Evanston campus and LMSA. She has both a master's and a bachelor's degree from Purdue University.