The ASH Doctoral Student Forum supports doctoral students in the Department of Applied Statistics, Social Sciences and the Humanities, professionally, academically, and socially. In doing so, we provide support for teaching and TAing, professional development workshops to meet the needs of students, and social events that foster a sense of community amongst doctoral students.
Each academic year the ASH Doc Forum plans social events to welcome students in the Fall and to end on a high note in the Spring. Additionally, we have hosted professional development events to support both the teaching and learning of doctoral students. Some of these events have included an Inclusive Teaching Workshop, Faculty-Student Writing Workshop, and a Faculty panel on navigating the job market.
Leadership Team
Imani Wilson, Chair
Imani is a third year Doctoral student in the Sociology of Education program and is serving as the Chair of the ASH Doc Forum. She joined the Doc Forum's Professional Development Committee in the Fall of 2022 to put together programming that builds ASH students' skill sets. As the current Chair, Imani hopes to continue to provide doc students with a communal, explorative, and illuminative space as they navigate their graduate studies. In her free time she enjoys attending concerts, trying new foods around the city, and watching cute animal videos.
Bella Afra Boateng, Treasurer and Co-Chair
Bella is a 2nd year Sociology of Education doctoral student and currently serves as treasurer/co-chair of the ASH Doc Forum. She believes that the grad school journey is a communal one and hopes to work with ASH graduate students to navigate the particular resources at NYU that will enhance their professional development and social goals.
When she is not being an academic, she enjoys having nourishing conversations with her friends over flavorful meals at beautiful locations.
Anthony Wagner V, Professional Development Committee
Anthony is a second year doctoral student in the International Education program and serves on the Professional Development Committee of the ASH Doc Forum. This is his first year participating in the executive committee. His research focuses on the public purposes and democratic engagement of different types of higher education institutions in Brazil. He is also interested in the internationalization of higher education and student protests in Brazil. Anthony received his BA from Gettysburg College and MSEd from PennGSE. He grew up on a farm in Bedford, Pennsylvania and enjoys running and is attempting to try out every bakery and cafe in Astoria.
Benjamin Le, Sociology of Education PhD Student
Ben Le, Teaching Committee
Ben is a third-year doctoral student in the Sociology of Education program and is currently on the Teaching Committee of the ASH Doc Forum. Ben joined the ASH Doc Forum in the fall of 2022, helping to put together an inclusive teaching workshop to help better prepare graduate students to teach a wide range of students using inclusive strategies. Ben is originally from Southern California, and enjoys cooking new recipes, spending time with friends, and the outdoors.
Shari-Lee Carter, Teaching Committee
Shari-Lee Carter is a second-year Ph.D. student in the International Education program. Her research focuses on Teacher identity, unions, and resistance within the English-speaking Caribbean. She is very passionate about the empowerment of teachers and, as such, has joined the ASH Doc Forum teaching committee. She hopes to assist in providing resources that will help graduate students sharpen their pedagogical skills for today’s diverse and dynamic teaching environments. In her free time, she loves going on road trips and spending time with her family and friends.
Mike Burgo, Social Committee
Mike (he/him/his) is currently a part time Doctoral Student beginning his 3rd year of the Sociology of Education program. Mike currently serves on the Social Committee on the ASH Doc Forum. He is excited to create opportunities for ASH doc students to come together and create community. Some of Mike's favorite things outside of work and school are theatre, coffee, and exploring NYC with his friends.
Faith Northern, Social Committee
Faith (she/her) is a second-year doctoral student in the Sociology of Education program at NYU Steinhardt. Faith is a (proud) alumna of Vassar College, where she graduated with her B.A. in Biochemistry, Educational Studies, and History. She is thrilled to be part of the Doc Forum as a member of the Social Committee, where she hopes to be in community with you all, work hard academically but also have a blast while doing it.
Laura Assanmal Peláez, Teaching Committee
Lau (she/her) is a third-year doctoral student at NYU Steinhardt’s Sociology of Education program, former co-chair of the ASH Doc Forum, now serving as part of the Teaching Committee. Lau hopes to support her peers at the ASH Doc Forum and Teaching Committee in creating opportunities for reflection and debrief to all other doctoral students engaged in teaching. Lau is particularly interested in finding others interested in exploring emancipatory pedagogies and is constantly learning, growing and experimenting with non-carceral and abolitionist practices in the classroom.
Her research centers placemaking and undocumented youth in NYC. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and loved ones, learning wheel pottery, taking care of her plants and finding cool new restaurants and cafés all over the city.
Ramy Abbady
Ramy is a fourth-year PhD candidate in the Sociology of Education program and is one of the Members-at-Large for the ASH Doc Forum. Originally joining the Doc Forum in fall of 2020 , he was interested in building community during the virtual days of the pandemic. After serving this past year as the Chair of the Doc Forum, he has transitioned to the Member at Large role to provide institutional knowledge and continue to help plan events and other community-building activities. Ramy enjoys exercise, boba, and spending time with his sister's bunnies when he can.
Haider Fancy
Haider Fancy is currently a member at large of the ASSH Doc Forum. He first acted as Treasurer, then Chair before transitioning to the member at large role. He hopes to continue the community building efforts of the forum and work towards more inclusive and engaging events.