Lilli Xiang

About Lilli Xiang

Lilli Xiang (she/they) is an award-winning national research presenter and educator. She\'s a Master\'s student at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and serves in Americorps - National at the GOLCS Newark campus. A graduate of the inaugural class of the first Early College High School and Teen UniverCity Program in their home district, their experiences helped them realize a passion for integrating research and education with youth well-being. Their activism centers student voices at all levels of the education system, creating spaces that implement youth perspectives in the professional world. Their goal is to broaden opportunities for student input, addressing disparities between the work of existing programs and the reality of the student experience. Their approach to community-driven education at a Hispanic and Minority-Serving Institution has been credited with inclusive policy language adjustments, research reflecting diverse populations, and creation of departmentally-recognized programs among in-residence college students. Lilli’s work has been honored with seven awards in student affairs, for peer advocacy, leadership, and community building. Through an international mentoring program, Lilli has advised underrepresented high school seniors across the USA. Additionally, Lilli has spoken in the documentary “You’re Loved” and been featured in Community Impact News for their community advocacy. Lilli aims to develop further related experience and work in the areas of advocacy, research, and education as a determined, lifelong learner. Their goal is to revolutionize education spaces for students to be engaged with research, policy, and pressing issues within their community, and for these spaces to be relevant, accessible and transformative at all levels of society. They plan to earn a PhD and work in education policy to advocate for systematic education that builds on student strengths and facilitates meaningful connection among all identities.

Experience

1. Ignite Fellow

   Teach For America Ignite

   Jan 2024 — Present

   Ignite is a national tutoring corps designed to accelerate learning and foster belonging with students. Ignite builds on Teach For America’s over 30 years of experience recruiting and developing leaders to partner with schools across the country to help students overcome the systemic barriers to an excellent education. Leveraging research-based best practices for high-impact tutoring, the Ignite Fellowship brings exceptional, equity-minded leaders into classrooms virtually to immediately add value with students and schools through customized learning. Ignite leverages research-based best practices for high-impact tutoring to accelerate student learning and foster belonging.Fellows are exceptional, equity-minded leaders committed to- Building deep relationships with students - Respecting students’ identities across multiple dimensions - Affirming their capacity to succeed - Recognizing their agency and contributions

Education

• Round Rock ISD Early College High School

  High School Diploma

• University of North Texas

  Bachelor of Science - BS, Magna Cum Laude, Integrative Studies: LGBTQ+ Studies, Women and Gender Studies, Criminal Justice

  2020 — 2024

• Austin Community College

  Associate of Arts - AA, General Studies

  2017 — 2020

• University of North Texas

  Bachelor of Science - BS, Magna Cum Laude, Psychology

  2020

• Harvard University

  Master's degree, Education and Human Development