Ph.D. Students
Daniel Choi
Daniel Choi earned his Bachelors degree at the University of California, Irvine in Sociology and Asian American Studies and went on to pursue a Masters in Education in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs at the University of Southern California. He has worked in various functional areas of Student Affairs which include student activities and government, orientation, admissions, and residence life. Currently, he works as a Residence Hall Director within NYU's Department of Residential Life and Housing Services. Daniel serves as the National Chair for the New Professionals and Graduate Students Knowledge Community within the National Association of Student Personnel and Administrators (NASPA). Daniel's research interests deal with access and equity for students of color and student identity development.
Michael Klein
Mike is the director of government relations for the New Jersey Association of State Colleges & Universities. He joined ASCU in 1998 and is responsible for managing legislative, regulatory, and labor affairs. A doctoral candidate in the Higher Education Ph.D. program, Mike’s research interest is in governance, particularly of public institutions. He is also interested in intellectual property issues. Currently, he is a member of the national Task Force on Higher Education Government Relations. Mike was born in Bloomfield, New Jersey. He received a bachelor’s degree in history cum laude from Princeton University, and a law degree from Boston College Law School.
Chera Reid
Chera Reid is a Ph.D. student and Steinhardt Fellow in the higher education program. Before coming to NYU, she was a faculty member at Phillips Academy (Andover), where she directed the Institute for Recruitment of Teachers, a national program that supports diverse college students who pursue careers in teaching and academia. She earned a B.A. from the University of Virginia and an M.A. from the University of Michigan. Her research interests include access to undergraduate and graduate education, particularly among students of color and low-income populations, academic transitions, and cross-sector educational partnerships.
EdD Students
Shawn O'Riley
Shawn O'Riley is the Executive Director of University College at Adelphi University and has spent the last several years of his career working with adults in higher education. University College is Adelphi's college for the working adult and includes associate, bachelor, and graduate degree programs, continuing education, and professional development programs. Prior to his current position at Adelphi, Shawn was Associate Director of Continuing Education at Hunter College, and Educational Program Director for the New York Foundation for Senior Citizens. He holds an M.S. in Higher Education Administration from Baruch College, an M.A. in Teaching from Pacific University and a B.B.A. in Marketing from the University of Iowa.
Shadia Sachedina
Shadia Sachedina has worked as a Student Affairs professional for the past 15 years. She is currently the Associate Director of Student Life at Baruch College. In this role Shadia is responsible for the development of First Year student programs. She also coordinates student leadership initiatives on campus and runs the TEAM Baruch leadership training and development program for Baruch students. Prior to this, Shadia worked in Residence Life at the School of Visual Arts as well as at SUNY Stony Brook and SUNY Cortland. Shadia received her M.S. in Higher Education Administration at Baruch College and her undergraduate degree in English at SUNY Stony Brook. Currently, Shadia is pursuing her Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration at NYU. Her focus is on commuter student engagement.
MA Students
Jack Breffle
Jack Breffle is a 2007 graduate of Furman University in Greenville, SC where he majored in Business Administration. At Furman, Jack gained experience as an RA, working in student government, planning events on the activities board, exploring issues of residence life, and working at the student union. After taking a year post graduation to collect his thoughts and decide on his future path, Jack enrolled at NYU to pursue a Master's Degree in Higher Education. He now works as a Graduate Assistant for Academic Development in NYU's Office of Residence Life and Housing Services supporting the activities of our Explorations floors, Residential Colleges, Faculty Fellows in Residence, and Visiting Faculty Program. Jack also has a part-time internship in NYU's Office of Government and Community Affairs for the summer, and will be teaching two sections of the Freshman Seminar at Baruch College in the fall. Jack also serves as Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Student Affairs and on the Recruitment and Orientation Committee for ASAP, the Association of Student Affairs Professionals.
Christina Harris
Originally from Detroit, MI, Christina Harris earned her undergraduate degree from NYU Tisch School of the Arts in Drama. While working as an admissions counselor for a musical theatre conservatory, she developed an interest in higher education. Christina is currently serving as an Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions for NYU and works specifically with Stern undergraduate applicants. Her research interests include improving access, equity and retention for minority students.