Kelly Vaughn, Ph.D.

Interim Dean, School of Education

Dr. Vaughn has been appointed as Interim Dean in 2024. Prior to her current post, she served as the Teaching Performance Assessment (TPA) Director for NDNU. She co-authored a policy research paper the racial disparities in high-stakes assessments in California Teacher Education Programs, using the analysis of 2018-2023 Data on edTPA, CalTPA, and RICA.

Dr. Vaughn is a Board Member of Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities, Education (AICCU-ED), an affiliate of CCTE. Her research interests include the following: First generation college youth in the United States; ethnic/culture identity and its connection with academic identity; social networks in educational settings; ethnography; teacher implementation on policy reform; social, emotional, and cultural (SEC) competencies practiced by math educators in middle and high schools; formative assessment and teacher reflectivity.

Education

Graduate School of Education, Stanford University.

Ph.D. in Social Sciences, Policy, and Educational Practice (SSPEP). Program: Social Sciences in Education. Advisor: Dr. Raymond McDermott. Dissertation: “Mapping Labeling Acts among Immigrant Youth in an American High School.” Three-year ethnographic study on the relationships and interactions of Asian, European, and Latin American immigrant youth in a U.S. high school English Language Development (ELD) program.

College of Ethnic Studies, San Francisco State University.

M.A. in Asian American Studies. Advisor: Dr. Lorraine Dong. Thesis: “Redefining Parachute Kids: Challenging Misperceptions of Transnational Youth.” Exploration on representation of Asian unaccompanied immigrant youth, using content data analysis on media, government, and scholarly representation and case study interviews.

Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). M.Ed. in Education with Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with Cross-Cultural Language & Academic Development (CLAD) and additional supplementary authorization in Mathematics.

College of Letters and Science, UCLA. B.A., Cum Laude, in East Asian Languages and Cultures (Chinese).

Courses Taught

Sociocultural and Multicultural Foundations in Education
Secondary Curriculum
Student/Intern Teaching Seminar (Single Subject Credential)
Math for Elementary Teachers
Methodology for Language Development in First and Second Languages
Curriculum Development and Instructional Approaches in Social Studies, Physical
Education, and Visual Arts Education
Curriculum Development and Instructional Approaches in Math and Science

Research and Interests

First generation college youth in the United States; ethnic/culture identity and its connection with academic identity; social networks in educational settings; ethnography; teacher implementation on policy reform; social, emotional, and cultural (SEC) competencies practiced by STEM educators in middle and high schools; formative assessment and teacher reflectivity.

Recognitions

Recipient of Inaugural “Quest for Teacher Education Research” Award, co-sponsored by California Council on Teacher Education (CCTE) and American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE). One of sixteen research teams selected in California based on promising research relevant to current teacher education topics in California. Participated in mentorship program for formal presentations at subsequent CCTE conferences and publication in peer-reviewed journal, 2014-2017.

CCTE Partnership Award for Distinguished Service to Students and the Preparation of Teachers. Co-recipient for collaboration partnership between NDNU School of Education & Leadership and Belle Air School, San Bruno Park School District, 2014.

CCTE/AACTE New Faculty Support Program. Member of inaugural cohort of junior faculty in CCTE supported teaching education programs sponsored by grant from American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education. This one year membership is to recognize junior faculty with scholarship and best teaching practices potential. Each member is mentored by experienced CCTE faculty. Mentored by Dr. Cynthia Grutzik, Associate Dean for College of Education at Long Beach State University and 2012-14 CCTE President, 2011-2012.

Dorothy Stang Faculty Scholar Program. One year fellowship program for selected faculty at NDNU to incorporate Community Engagement (CE) and Community Based Research (CBR) in their courses. Award is based on proposal for students to maintain reflection journals that incorporate multicultural and sociocultural education theories into their volunteer work as after-school tutors at Belle Air Elementary School of the San Bruno Park School District, 2011-2012

California State University Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program Recipient. Competitive financial assistance program awarded to doctorate students whose career aim is to teach and research as academic faculty within the California State University, 2003-2006

Getsinger Fellowship and Research Award Recipient. Three year fellowship co-sponsored by Stanford University School of Education, 2002-2005

California State University Sally Casanova Pre-Doctorate Scholar. Fellowship chosen among California State University students for Ph.D. scholarship potential, 2001-2002

Chao Suet Foundation Scholarship Recipient. Scholarship for recognition of outstanding Asian American graduate students, 2000

“SmartSchools PC Day” Grant Recipient. Award of 8 personal computers (value $10,000.00) to be used for grant proposal of middle school e-mail math mentoring program, 1999

Industry Initiatives Science Math Education (IISME) Fellow. Selected as an educational consultant of the Intel Museum for curriculum design in math and technology for two years, 1997-1998

University of California Educational Abroad Program Pacific Rim Scholarship Recipient. One year scholarship for study at Beijing University, China, 1988-1999

Professional Affiliations

Member of Association of Asian American Studies (AAAS)
American Anthropological Association (AAA)
American Educational Research Association (AERA)
American Sociological Association (ASA)
The Association of Teacher Educators (ATE)
California Council on Teacher Education (CCTE)

Presentations and Publications

Ruiz, M., Gleason, T., Vaughn, T.K., & Kumashiro, K. (2024, April). Racial Disparities in High-Stakes Assessments in California Teacher Education: Analysis of 2018-2023 Data on edTPA, CalTPA, and RICA. Policy paper published on https://www.care-ed.org/

Vaughn, T.K. & Demaree, D. (2016, October 22). Assessing Predictive Validity of Teacher Performance Assessment (TPA) for Teaching Credential Candidates: A Case Study (3-year data analysis). Paper presented at the California Council on Teacher Education (CCTE) Fall Meeting, San Diego, CA.

Vaughn, T.K. & Demaree, D. (2016, March 21). Assessing Predictive Validity of Teacher Performance Assessment (TPA) for Teaching Credential Candidates: A Case Study (3-year data analysis). Paper presented at the CCTE Spring Meeting, San Jose, CA.

Vaughn, T.K., Demaree, D, & Tolley, K. (2015, March 31). Assessing Predictive Validity of Teacher Performance Assessment (TPA) for Teaching Credential Candidates. Paper presented at the CCTE Spring Meeting, San Jose, CA.

Vaughn, T.K. & Demaree, S. (2014). Summative as formative: Reflective practices from pre-service to in-service through Teaching Performance Assessments. In E. Pultorak (Ed.) Reflectivity and cultivating student learning: Critical elements for enhancing a global community of learners and educators (pp. 139-161). Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Education.

Vaughn, T.K. (2014). Mapping Common Core Math with technology activities for K-5. https://www.taskstream.com/ts/vaughn57/MappingCommonCoreMathwithTechnologyActivitiesforK5.

Vaughn, T.K., Tolley, K., & Demaree, D. (2014, April 4). Evaluation of the predictive validity of the Performance Assessment for California Teachers (PACT) scores of teaching credential candidates at Notre Dame de Namur University, California. Paper presented at the American Education Research Association Annual (AERA) Meeting, Philadelphia, PA.

Vaughn, T.K. & Demaree. S. (2014, February 16). Teacher reflectivity: Enhancing student learning for a better global community of learners and educators. Panel presented at the Association of Teacher Educators (ATE) Meeting, St. Louis, MO.

Vaughn, T.K. & Demaree. S. (2013, February 17). Critical Elements of reflectivity and cultivating student learning: Learning across a lifetime. Panel presented at the ATE Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA.

Vaughn, T.K. & Demaree, S. (2012, November 1). Planning across the curriculum. Session presented at the PACT and edTPA Implementation Conference, San Diego, CA.

Vaughn, T.K. (2012, October 12). Mutual benefits between preservice teachers and students of a program improvement school through service learning.” Poster exhibited at the CCTE Fall Conference, San Diego, CA.

Vaughn, T.K. (2012). From NBC to TPA: A researcher’s reflection on “How does performance assessment improve teacher practice?” CCNews, 23(2), 25-27.

Vaughn, T.K. (2012, March 30). From NBR to TPA: A researcher’s reflection on “How does performance assessment improve teacher practice?” Poster exhibited at the CCTE Spring Conference, San Jose, CA.

Vaughn, T.K. (2012, February 14). Augmenting a global community of learners through the incorporation of teacher reflectivity. Panel presented at the ATE Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX.

Vaughn, T.K., Demaree, S., & Williams, J. (2011, March 25). Opening new doors when opportunity knocks: A case study of closing the gap for our teacher credential candidates. Poster exhibited at the CCTE Spring Conference, San Jose, CA.

Vaughn, T.K. & Williams, J. (2010, November 4). Chunking it: Scaffolding the PACT for our student teachers.” Paper presented at the PACT Implementation Conference, San Diego, CA.

Sato,M., Chung R.W., Greenwald, E., Dean, S., & Vaughn, K. (2010). The role of professional teaching standards in teacher reflection. In E.G. Pultorak (Ed.), The purposes, practices, and professionalism of teacher reflectivity: Insights for twenty-first-century teachers and students (pp. 325-349). Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Education.

Ofiesh, N., Rossi, J., Chang, L., Ferrera, R., Tolley, K., Msengi, S., Demaree, S., & Vaughn, K. (2009, March 27). Got Accreditation: Poster sessions in the CTC accreditation visit. Poster exhibited at the CCTE Spring Conference, San Jose, CA.

Darling-Hammond, L, Sato,M., Chung R.W., Greenwald, E., Dean, S., & Vaughn, T.K. (2007, April 10). The impact of National Board Certification on teachers’ classroom assessment practices: Analysis of change in classroom practice.” Paper presented at the AERA Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL.

Vaughn, T.K. (2005, February 12). Hip Hop and ‘Fangpi’: Situated identity markers and cultural bridges among Asian immigrant students in American high schools. Paper presented at the Popularizing Asia Pacific Americas Conference, Santa Cruz, CA.

Vaughn, T.K. (2004, August 6). When the minority becomes the sole majority: Social world of youth in a non-White high school. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Pacific Coast Branch of the American Historical Association, San Jose, CA.

Vaughn, T.K. & Ushio, A. (2002). Parachute kids. Documentary film screened at the following events: National Asian American Telecommunications Association 19th San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival; 8th Annual Chicago Asian American Film Festival; 2nd Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival; National Japanese American Historical Society Special Exhibit, San Francisco, CA.

Vaughn, T.K. (2001). Redefining “Parachute Kids”: Content analysis on media, government, and academic sources. San Francisco State Ethnic Studies Journal, 1, 41-50.

Vaughn, T.K. (2001, March 30). Redefining “Parachute Kids”: Content analysis on media, government, and academic sources. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Association of Asian American Studies, Toronto, Canada.

Vaughn, T.K. (1999, March 12). Extending beyond the math community via e-mail. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the California League of Middle Schools, San Diego, CA.

Notre Dame de Namur University is an equal opportunity employer firmly committed to non-discrimination in its hiring and other employment practices and personnel policies. In compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, except where a bona fide occupational qualification exists, NDNU will make employment decisions irrespective of the staff member’s race, color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age (except for minors), sex, marital status, citizenship status, military service status, sexual orientation, medical condition (a cancer-related or genetic condition), disability and/or any another status protected by law. When necessary, the NDNU will reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities if they are otherwise qualified to perform all essential functions safely and do it without undue hardship to the NDNU. Inquiries regarding the College’s equal opportunity policies should be directed to the Human Resources Department via email at hr@ndnu.edu. NDNU admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.

Mark Dee

Magellan Solutions USA launched under the visionary leadership of Mark A. K. Dee, Chief Executive Officer – a consultant and service provider for healthcare administrative support, IT development, energy, call center, and business process outsourcing. Mark has served in various multi-level management positions in his 21 years of service in the United States Air Force (USAF). He performed as Immunology and Microbiology department manager, Medical Laboratory Assistant Director, Facility and Security Manager, and finally retiring in the military in 2008 as Superintendent/Assistant Chief of Operations of 330 personnel Medical Group. Mark has experiences in the services industries since he retired, including running a restaurant chain as the CEO. He has also developed other businesses in the Martials Arts studio and 3d-printing industries. He has a BS in Health Sciences and Hospital Administration, Board Certified in Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Graduated in the Senior Executive Leadership School from the USAF, Master’s in Business Administration, and a Master’s of Science in Systems Management at Notre Dame De Namur University.

Chosen Cheng

Chosen Cheng is owner of CMC Group, a privately held engineering and marketing consultancy for small business startup ventures. He currently works with project teams developing patented award-winning solar roofing systems and patent pending drone-based augmented reality geological and thermal mapping solutions. He was formerly a Silicon Valley marketing and innovative corporate training manager. As an avocation and a way to “pay it forward” he enjoys teaching and career coaching college and graduate MBA students many of whom are pioneering first generation college students from underserved communities. He and his wife, a Notre Dame alum, celebrated their wedding reception at the Ralston Mansion in the 70’s and have two stupendously successful, married adult children who between them have four stupendously adorable grandchildren.

Arthur Chait

Entrepreneur, Executive, Engineer, Investor, Professor, Mentor. Founder & CEO EoPlex Inc. ($31 million VC funded startup acquired by ASTI Singapore). President Stanford Research Institute (SRI) Consulting Division (800 staff worldwide). SVP Flextronics (responsible for $8 Billion in global accounts). President Zitel Software. Principal Booz Allen. R&D Director Halliburton. Adjunct Professor Menlo College, Visiting Professor Universidad Francisco Marroquin (Guatemala), Mentor Draper University, Judge Startup Chile. BS Engineering Rutgers, MBA Strategy University Pittsburgh.

Kelly Cansler

Kelly completed both her BS (Finance/Economics) and MBA from NDNU. She utilized her business education to launch an insurance agency in 2008 with Farmers Insurance. It’s grown into multi-million-dollar agency, organically and through acquisition. She has been recognized by Farmers Insurance being ranked within the top 10% of agents nationwide, but also as a speaker, trainer, and mentor within the Farmers Insurance Community. Kelly is extremely connected with local businessowners through several networking channels.

Cliff Burnette

Cliff is the senior vice president and chief human resources officer at Rambus, a global chip and IP provider that advances data center connectivity and solves the bottleneck between memory and processing. Cliff has over 20 years of experience leading global human resources operations for publicly traded companies with expertise in employee relations, organizational development, and compensation strategy. Prior to Rambus, Cliff worked for several other high-tech companies in the semiconductor and medical device space and holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Marketing from Texas State University and a master’s degree in Human Resources Management and Organization Development from the University of Texas at Austin.

Memo Morantes

Memo Morantes has been a San Mateo County resident for more than 45 years. He has been a three-term San Mateo County Board of Education incumbent, a Redwood City/San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce board member, a Sequoia Hospital Foundation member, a co-chair of the Latino Leadership Council of San Mateo, and a civic/community activist.

Sheryl Young

Sheryl serves as a director for Philanthropic Ventures Foundation, which provides $10M each year for innovative teachers and social entrepreneurs throughout the Bay Area. Prior Sheryl served as CEO of Community Gatepath and AbilityPath.org. She has over 30 years of managerial experience in operations, finance, and marketing. Young is a graduate of the Stanford University Graduate School of Business Executive Program for Non-Profit Leaders, earned an M.A. of Public Health from UC Berkeley, an M.A. in Special Education from Ball State University and a B.A. in Political Science from Purdue University.

Brian Schumacker

Brian manages South San Francisco-San Bruno’s wastewater treatment plant and with a dedicated staff of over 40 professionals who safeguard community health and protect the fragile San Francisco Bay ecosystem. Brian holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration, both from Notre Dame de Namur University. Brian has also earned the highest levels of professional certifications in wastewater treatment.

Mario Rendon

Mario Rendon serves as District Director for State Assemblymember Kevin Mullin. He develops the communications, public relations and constituent service strategy for the office and supervises a small team that represents Mr. Mullin in the 22nd Assembly District within San Mateo County. He has over twenty year’s experience working with elected officials at the local, state and federal level developing public policy.

Jerry Hill

Jerry’s public service started with his local neighborhood association that progressed to the California State Assembly and Senate where he authored legislation resulting in laws on issues related to consumer protection, utility safety, coastal protection, public health, education and the environment. Jerry was born and raised in San Francisco, receiving his BA from the University of California, Berkeley and a Teaching Credential from San Francisco State University.

Magda Gonzalez

Magda was most recently the City Manager for the City of Half Moon Bay, California. Prior she was the City Manager of East Palo Alto, California and Assistant City Manager, Redwood City. Magda was President of Cal-ICMA, representing the Local Government Hispanic Network and serves on the Board of Directors for the San Mateo Credit Union and the Latino Leadership Council of San Mateo County. Magda is also a member of ICMA and the State Bar of California and received several awards and recognitions, including Career Excellence Award (WLG) and the Ethical Hero Award from Cal-ICMA.

Jeremy Dennis

Jeremy currently serves as Portola Valley Town Manager. Previously, he’s worked for elected officials at all governance levels, including twice as District Director for local assemblymembers. He worked as the Palo Alto Long Range Planning Director, and for San Mateo County in management roles. Jeremy has a Masters in Urban Planning from the London School of Economics, and graduated from UC Davis studying US History/Political Science.

Kate Comfort-Harr

Kate is Executive Director of HIP Housing, a nonprofit specializing in creative affordable housing solutions throughout San Mateo County. Kate is a frequent speaker on a wide array of affordable housing topics and is passionate about the cultivation of collaborations between the private, public and social sectors. She serves on the Board of Directors for the San Mateo Credit Union and was awarded the Chamber San Mateo County’s 2020 Business Woman of the Year Award.

Jeff Cox

Program Director for Master of Public Administration

Jerome Nadel

Jerome Nadel is Internationally experienced design-led marketing executive (CMO and GM) with a track record of improved market position, revenue growth, and M&A. He is an advance degreed psychologist and user experience product/service design expert, board member and advisor. Jerome recently retired from Rambus as where he was CMO and GM of the security software division that he led the sale to Visa. He has had a variety of chief marketing officer and chief user experience officer roles at companies including Human Factors International, SLP InfoWare, Gemplus, and Sagem. He started his career in the IBM Human Factors Labs. He is also an avid cyclist with National and multiple California State Champion titles.