Student Ambassadors
Jehan Agha
M.Ed. International School Counseling
My name is Jehan, and I am currently a first-year master’s student in the International School Counseling Program (INCO). I am an Egyptian New Yorker who has been living in Cairo, Egypt since 2009. I work at the Institute of International Education where I manage a virtual exchange program that connects university students in the U.S. with their peers in the Middle East and North Africa.
Supporting students through transitions is both a professional and personal passion of mine. As a result of my personal experience as a Third Culture Kid (TCK) and as a mother to one, I am deeply committed to helping TCKs navigate the complex feelings of rootlessness and identity negotiation. My goal is to support them through transitions, assuring them they are not alone and helping them find a sense of true belonging.
So far, INCO has provided me with critical, research-based skills and interventions to help me accomplish this. The courses blend theory, research and practical knowledge which challenge students to reflect deeply and think critically. The Summer Institute, in particular, was a transformative experience for me both academically and personally, and it cultivated a strong sense of community within our cohort. It was a truly enriching and indescribable experience!.
I am happy to answer any questions so feel free to reach out.
Connect with Jehan! Email her with questions, or to set up a meeting.
Lauren Tillstrom Biegley
Ph.D. Teaching, Learning and Technology
I am a third-year Ph.D. student in the Teaching, Learning, and Technology program and a mom to two young children. My professional background is as a former elementary teacher and prior to that I worked in corporate sales and project management. Career interests and experiences evolve over time and I am a firm believer in lifelong learning.
My research interests are centered around the intersection of teaching, learning and communication. Specifically, I am focused on investigating how public speaking influences teachers and students, and how technology changes these and other learning contexts. As a student ambassador, I am committed to sharing my experiences and insights. Whether you're seeking guidance on navigating the challenges of academia, exploring research opportunities or simply looking for a supportive resource, I am here to help you embark on your academic journey with confidence.
I look forward to connecting with you and being a resource as you embark on your academic journey. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions or to learn more about the exciting opportunities awaiting you in our program.
Connect with Lauren! Email her with questions, or to set up a meeting.
Shelby DiPierro
Ed.S. School Psychology
I'm a first-year Ed.S student in the School Psychology Program. Originally, I am from Long Island, N.Y. I chose school psychology because I am passionate about making a positive difference in children's lives. My main areas of interest are promoting social-emotional well-being, positive school environments, family-school collaboration, internalizing behaviors and testing.
I have a graduate assistantship (GA) in the COE Admissions Office, I am involved in two labs and assist in administering benchmark math assessments. Additionally, I love giving back to the community through volunteering.
Connect with Shelby! Email her with questions, or to set up a meeting.
Radha Ericson
Ed.D. Educational Leadership
My name is Radha and I am a third year Educational Leadership doctoral student. I taught middle school science for ten years and currently work as an assistant principal. My future administrative plans are focused on curriculum work and development and helping school districts with integrating the new STEEL standards. My research interests are centered around educational leadership, specifically assistant principals. My hope is that more research in this area can help assistant principals make a maximum impact on their schools.
I am honored to be an ambassador and look forward to helping any fellow student navigate their Lehigh and professional experiences. Please feel free to contact me at any time and thank you for letting me be a part of your journey.
Connect with Rhada! Email her with questions, or to set up a meeting.
Kyra Handel
M.Ed. School Counseling
Hi all! My name is Kyra Handel and I am a graduate student in the School Counseling program. Currently, I am a school counseling intern at Southern Lehigh High School and Liberty Bell Elementary School. I also work as a graduate assistant in the Office of Disability Support Services. In my spare time, you can find me on the soccer field as it is my first year as the girl’s assistant soccer coach at Southern Lehigh High School. Go Spartans!
One thing I love about the school counseling program here at Lehigh is how close each cohort is. We all spend so much time together over these two years and it truly makes the graduate school experience so much more meaningful! Additionally, Lehigh has an immense amount of opportunities to explore. For example, last year I was a middle school teacher associate at Centennial School. Centennial School is a Special Education Day School, affiliated with Lehigh, licensed to provide educational services to students with emotional disturbance and autism. From this experience, I have learned invaluable skills that I will take with me in life and to any school I work in.
Navigating from undergrad or another job to graduate school can be confusing and challenging- I know I felt that way at first. If you feel similarly, or have any questions about anything, I am here to help. Please do not hesitate to reach out.
Connect with Kyra! Email her with questions, or to set up a meeting.
Hailey Hoffman
M.Ed. Teaching & Learning
My name is Hailey. I'm a high school English teacher in the Lehigh Valley. I'm in the Teaching and Learning master's program; my focus is social, emotional, behavioral wellness. I've been loving my time at Lehigh University so far. If you have any questions, please reach out.
Connect with Hailey! Email her with questions, or to set up a meeting.
Katelyn Hudson
M.Ed. Educational Leadership
My name is Katie and I am in my second year of the Educational Leadership master's program with a principal certification. I am a former English teacher (middle and high school) and currently work in a leadership position in the food industry. Also, I have a master's degree in Education Psychology from University College London. I am most interested in professional development and how teachers continuously learn and grow. My belief is that when we pour into and develop teachers, they will in turn pour into their students.
During my time so far at Lehigh University, I have been pushed to think critically and engage with research, best practices and theoretical frameworks. My professors have inspired me to analyze education and educational leadership from a variety of perspectives and make decisions that best benefit kids. As the daughter of a teacher with 38 years of experience (and counting) I have always been passionate about education and teaching. In my free time, I enjoy gardening, watching Gilmore Girls, reading and obsessing over my cat, Cheeto.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions you have, I would love to discuss my program and time at Lehigh!
Connect with Katie! Email her with questions, or to set up a meeting.
Lauren Lehane
M.Ed. Behavior Analysis
Hi! My name is Lauren Lehane and I'm in my second year of the master's program in Behavior Analysis. I chose behavior analysis after working as a behavioral therapist at Lehigh University Autism Services (LUAS). The greatest benefit of an education in Behavior Analysis at Lehigh is being able to apply all that I learn in the classroom to the work that I'm doing with LUAS. I love discussing the program to all that will listen. Please reach out if you are curious or interested.
Connect with Lauren! Email her with questions, or to set up a meeting.
Marimah Northcut
M.Ed. Special Education
My name is Marimah and I am enrolled in Lehigh's Dual Certification master's program for General Education (PreK-4) and Special Education (Prek-12). I got back into education after taking many side trips into a variety of occupations (e.g., food service, marketing, theater, journalism and office administration). Lehigh University's College of Education (COE) fosters an in-depth, comprehensive and dynamic training program for preservice teachers. I was introduced to Centennial School, a lab school which mentors preservice teachers in Positive Behavior Support Systems while working with Special Education students who were exhibiting challenging behaviors, and have fallen in love with teaching all over again.
I am a busy mom of two and often feel the struggle of balancing a crazy schedule. The instructors at Lehigh are welcoming and understanding of the craziness life can throw at you. Lehigh also provides health and wellness tools that have been invaluable to me over the years of being here. If you need anything, there is always someone to talk to - there is no such thing as a stupid question. I am here to help, as well. We are a large community and we are so happy to welcome you.
Connect with Marimah! Email her with questions, or to set up a meeting.
Zoe Tashlik
4+1 Accelerated Master's Program
My name is Zoe and I am enrolled in Lehigh's 4+1 Accelerated Master's Program. I am originally from Long Island, N.Y. but I consider Lehigh my second home. I graduated from Lehigh with a B.A. in Political Science. I'm excited for one more year as a graduate student to earn a M.Ed. and certification to teach 7-12 Social Studies!
During the spring semester of my junior year, I studied abroad in Madrid, Spain. As an undergraduate at Lehigh, I participated in the tour guide program, Greek life, the Hawkathon dance marathon and community service in the Bethlehem area. I love Taylor Swift and in my free time I enjoy running along scenic routes. I am excited to share my incredible experience at Lehigh, both as an undergraduate and graduate student in the 4+1 program.
Connect with Zoe! Email her with questions, or to set up a meeting.
Yuhan Wang
M.Ed. Mental Health Counseling
My name is Yuhan (pronounced Yoo-hahn) and I am a first-year student in the Mental Health Counseling master's program. Originally from Shenzhen, China, I am also an international student. I graduated from the University of Rochester with a B.A. in Psychology and a B.A. in Digital Media Studies. My areas of interest revolve around family dynamics, children's perceptions of parental conflict and marital conflicts.
I’m a cat lover and have two cats—one in China and one in Philly. If you're also a cat person, I’d love to exchange cat photos. In my free time, I enjoy practicing Chinese calligraphy, working out and cooking. As a student ambassador, I’m excited to connect with more people in the field. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or if you'd like to hang out. I'm looking forward to meeting you.
Connect with Yuhan! Email her with questions, or to set up a meeting.
Thein Mwae Yee
M.Ed. Teaching & Learning
မင်္ဂလာပါ (Min-ga-la-bar)! My name is Thein Mwae Yee. I'm currently a second-year master's student studying Teaching and Learning. Originally from Myanmar (Burma), I am keenly interested in Teacher Education, particularly pedagogy, curriculum development and instructional design. In my home country, I have been working as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher and conducting training courses for aspiring teachers and those seeking professional development.
If you're considering attending Lehigh University as an international student, I'm here to help make your transition as smooth as possible.
In my initial year, I solely focused on my studies. Therefore, I am taking advantage of this chance to serve as a student ambassador to expand my network and establish meaningful connections. I typically prefer leisure time indoors, watching a great movie or delving into a good book. Nevertheless, I do like socializing with others. The only catch is that I'm not keen on going out alone.
I'm eagerly looking forward to welcoming you and providing support during your transition and pursuit of your degree in the College of Education at Lehigh University. Please contact me if you have any questions or need assistance. All the best!
Connect with Thein Mwae! Email her with questions, or to set up a meeting.