Dr. John Dixon serves as the Managing Director of School and District Partnerships at the National Education Equity Lab, where he oversees high school onboarding, model implementation, and partnerships with a vast network of schools and districts across the country. A Mississippi native, Dr. Dixon began his career in education as a middle school English teacher through Teach For America. His classroom experience nurtured a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities present in under-resourced schools, fueling his commitment to systemic solutions that elevate every learner’s potential. Dr. Dixon holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Xavier University of Louisiana, a master’s degree in Education Policy and Leadership from American University, and a Ph.D. in K-12 Educational Leadership and Administration from The University of Mississippi. Drawing on his academic scholarship and hands-on practice, he is dedicated to fostering inclusive partnerships and innovative policies that ensure all students thrive.

Dr. Isaac Keoua Vigilla is the Dean of Studies at Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi High School, where he oversees academic programming with a focus on expanding access to rigorous and relevant learning pathways. He leads the Kaunaloa Dual Credit Program, which empowers Native Hawaiian students to earn college credit while exploring career and community impact. Isaac works closely with faculty, counselors, and university partners to design supportive systems that promote student success, cultural grounding, and post-secondary readiness. His leadership integrates ʻŌiwi Edge competencies, personalized advising, and performance-based assessments to help students thrive in both high school and college settings. Passionate about educational equity and innovation, Isaac is committed to reimagining dual credit as a tool for self-determination and lāhui advancement.

Edgar Salmingo, Jr. is the Director of Early College and Online Learning for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, serving nearly 50 high schools in the greater Los Angeles area. He manages the Early College Network, whose schools empower students, especially from low-income and historically underrepresented backgrounds, to earn transferable college credit from four-year universities, including Arizona State University. With a focus on equity and scalability, Edgar designs dual-enrollment pathways with school leaders, partners with higher education institutions, and serves the students to ensure their success. This program aims to bridge high schools, universities, and philanthropy to expand access and support for vulnerable learners. With a passion for program development, teacher growth, and inclusive learning models, he will be sharing his successes (and mistakes to avoid!) on building sustainable dual-credit systems across multiple diverse school communities.

Alison Ritz, a New York City public school teacher for more than two decades, is now in her seventh year as a faculty member of the Young Women's Leadership School of the Bronx, a public middle and high school for girls. Her courses include Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics, Participation in Government, Economics, and Senior Seminar; she is deeply committed to supporting each cohort as they navigate their final year of high school and prepare for postsecondary life. Each fall, Alison is the cooperating teacher for Poetry in America through the National Education Equity Lab and Arizona State University, with whom she has proudly partnered since the pilot in 2019. An endlessly hopeful believer in community-building and fostering connections, Alison serves as Faculty Advisor for the Riley’s Way Bronx Council and Teacher Advisor on the Student Leadership Network Advisory Committee. Alison was deeply honored to receive SLN’s 2022 April Blount Blue Ribbon Teaching Award for Excellence in Girls’ Education and the National Education Equity Lab 2022 Champion of Excellence & Equity Gold Award.

Trisha Okawa is a Project Manager for KS Digital at Kamehameha Schools, dedicated to enhancing education and helping learners positively impact their community. She has been part of the Kamehameha Schools ʻohana for almost 20 years and has over 25 years of experience in education.
 
Trisha has taught various grade levels and held roles such as Child Development Specialist and University of Hawaiʻi Lecturer. Her experience includes building a strong educational foundation for young learners and their ʻohana, mentoring future educators, organizing statewide ʻohana engagement conferences, and collaborating with the Department of Education, University of Hawaiʻi, and non-profits to enhance educational opportunities.
 
As KS Digital Project Manager, Trisha focuses on building strong partnerships with campuses and ASU, which has supported the nearly tripling of enrollment over the past two years.
 
Trisha holds a master’s degree in education with an emphasis on Child Development.

Zandra Ah Choy-Agusen is a Native Hawaiian educator and the Digital Learning Coordinator at Kamehameha Schools Kāpalama campus. With almost two decades of educational experience in culturally responsive teaching, program development, and student advocacy, she designs academic support systems rooted in Native Hawaiian values. In her former roles as a high school English teacher, Instructional Coach and Senior Education Design Specialist, she has led initiatives in online learning, faculty professional development, and strategic planning to improve student outcomes. Zandra is passionate about advancing equity in education, uplifting indigenous knowledges, and building bridges between communities and institutions. She is committed to empowering Native Hawaiian students through culture, connection, and transformative learning experiences.

Bryan Richman has over 25 years of experience in education, starting in 1995 as a classroom teacher in Baltimore City Public Schools. In 2006, he moved back to Arizona and served as an assistant principal and principal in the Glendale Elementary School District. Since 2019, Bryan has been leading the Nontraditional Programs Department at Agua Fria Union High School District, in Avondale. He has an Ed.D. in Leadership and Innovation from Arizona State University, a School Administration certification from Johns Hopkins University, an M.A. in Instructional Systems Development from the University of Maryland, a Teaching Certification in Elementary Education from Morgan State University, and a B.A. in Linguistics and Russian from the University of Arizona.