Our Strategic Partners
Alicia Parker, Ed.D.
Alicia Parker, Ed.D.
Alicia Parker, Ed.D.
Dr. Parker has served in a variety of roles in education, including science teacher and school and district administrators. She has extensive leadership experience at the school and district level, with expertise in assessment, evaluation, and accountability, and she currently serves as a Product Manager for the Florida Virtual School.
Dr. Parker has served in a variety of roles in education, including science teacher and school and district administrators. She has extensive leadership experience at the school and district level, with expertise in assessment, evaluation, and accountability, and she currently serves as a Product Manager for the Florida Virtual School. Her research encompasses a wide range of methodologies, including longitudinal studies, program evaluation, case studies, and efficacy studies. Dr. Parker has extensive experience working with and conducting research and evaluation on programs to support improved outcomes for diverse students.
Ora Tanner, M.S.
Alicia Parker, Ed.D.
Alicia Parker, Ed.D.
Ora Tanner is the CEO of Black Unicorn Education Group, offering technology education to individuals from diverse communities through unique learning programs, products, and community-based events. Her previous roles include co-founder and Chief Learning Officer for the nonprofit AI Education Project, where she designed and developed sta
Ora Tanner is the CEO of Black Unicorn Education Group, offering technology education to individuals from diverse communities through unique learning programs, products, and community-based events. Her previous roles include co-founder and Chief Learning Officer for the nonprofit AI Education Project, where she designed and developed standards-aligned curricula to teach middle, high, and community college students from underserved communities about artificial intelligence, its impacts, and the future of work using a socio-technical approach. Ms. Tanner’s work in connecting underserved students with technology has been featured in Forbes Magazine (Farley, 2020). She currently serves as the Technology Committee Chair for the Hillsborough County Black Chamber of Commerce.
Chunhua Cao, Ph.D.
Alicia Parker, Ed.D.
Chunhua Cao, Ph.D.
Dr. Cao is an Assistant Professor of Quantitative Educational Research at the University of Alabama, with a focus on structural equation modeling, longitudinal data analysis, multilevel modeling, and quantitative educational research. Prior to her higher education career, Dr. Cao served as a Senior Coordinator of Student Learning Evaluat
Dr. Cao is an Assistant Professor of Quantitative Educational Research at the University of Alabama, with a focus on structural equation modeling, longitudinal data analysis, multilevel modeling, and quantitative educational research. Prior to her higher education career, Dr. Cao served as a Senior Coordinator of Student Learning Evaluation, overseeing research and program evaluation for a large Florida school district. In this role, she leveraged her quantitative research skills to support equity in education, such as conducting a survival analysis to help district leadership identify and understand risks in access to education for vulnerable students. Her extensive experience in theory and practice positions her to leverage quantitative methodologies to understand complex educational phenomena.
Leah Torres, Ed.D.
Leah Torres, Ed.D.
Chunhua Cao, Ph.D.
Dr. Torres began her career in education as a teacher, and since then has served in district and school leadership positions, including science coach and Director of Research, Evaluation, and Accountability for the School District of Osceola County in Florida. She currently leads Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and Multi-Tiere
Dr. Torres began her career in education as a teacher, and since then has served in district and school leadership positions, including science coach and Director of Research, Evaluation, and Accountability for the School District of Osceola County in Florida. She currently leads Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) for her school district. She received her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Central Florida.
Laurie Casna, J.D.
Leah Torres, Ed.D.
Laurie Casna, J.D.
With a rich history of serving diverse student populations in the state of Massachusetts, Ms. Casna holds a Master's Degree in Special Education, a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership from Bridgewater State College and a Juris Doctorate from Suffolk Law School. Her journey in education includes serving in
With a rich history of serving diverse student populations in the state of Massachusetts, Ms. Casna holds a Master's Degree in Special Education, a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership from Bridgewater State College and a Juris Doctorate from Suffolk Law School. Her journey in education includes serving in roles of special education teacher, Director of Student Services, Director of Special Education, and Superintendent in diverse communities in urban, suburban, rural and charter schools.