Work Experience

Work ExperienceSabancı University

Project Specialist, Education Laboratory / Aug 2023 – Present

Coordinate and lead evidence-based projects to strengthen conditions for equitable K–12 education across Turkey

Education Reform Initiative, Sabancı University

Work Experience PSU

Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant / 2017 – 2021

Department of Education Policy Studies, The Pennsylvania State University

  • Research Assistant to Dr. Maryellen Schaub (2018 – 2021): Reviewed literature and verified historical data for research on the social construction of childhood and motherhood and on the effects of schooling as an institution.
  • Graduate and Research Assistant to Dr. Dana Mitra (2017 – 2018): Coded and analyzed interview and document data for the evaluation of Oregon Student Voice (OSV); co-authored the Evaluation Report of Oregon Student Voice.
  • Teaching Assistant for Education in American Society – EDTHP 115 (2018 – 2021): Graded weekly submissions and facilitated weekly discussions.
  • Teaching Assistant to Dr. David Gamson for Educational Reform and Public Policy – EDTHP 200 (Jan – May 2018): Supported an undergraduate course introducing public policy, education policy, and school practices in the U.S. educational system.
  • Co-organized the 3-day International Conference on Student Voice at the University of Pennsylvania, including the literature compilation distributed to attendees, conference website, proceedings (International Journal for Student Voice), promotional materials, registrations, catering, and session recordings.
Work Experience PSU

Instructor / May – Jul 2020 / Jul – Aug 2021

Department of Education Policy Studies, The Pennsylvania State University

  • Designed and taught EDTHP 115 (Education in American Society) — asynchronously in 2020 and in person across two sections in 2021.
Work Experience PSU

Instructor / Jun – Aug 2018

Upward Bound, The Pennsylvania State University

  • Taught an English class on rhetoric and writing for students in Upward Bound, a federally-funded program supporting underrepresented students in their preparation for college.
Work Experience PSU

Graduate Assistant / 2018

Summer Research Opportunity Program and McNair Scholars / Office of Graduate Educational Equity, The Pennsylvania State University

  • Coordinated the Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP) and McNair Scholars Program and supported the planning of the joint research conference under the supervision of Associate Dean Dr. Stephanie Preston. Both programs increase the engagement of underrepresented students in graduate education through intensive research mentorship with faculty.
Work Experience UMaine

Researcher / May-Aug 2017

Up for Learning / Communicating School Redesign (CSR), The University of Maine

  • With my previous advisor, Dr. Catharine Biddle, I conducted interviews, coded and wrote an evaluation report on the strengths and the opportunities of growth for the Communicating School Redesign (CSR) initiative.
  • UP for Learning has been offering a course titled Communicating School Redesign to help schools better communicate and understand ACT 77, a newly mandated state policy in Vermont that focuses on flexible pathways through personalized learning plans.
  • Up for Learning is a non-profit institution in Vermont that offers strategies and tools for building a school community in which learning is engaging for everyone and youth are fully empowered. UP for Learning also conducts policy advocacy to elevate student voice in learning and decision-making on a state level.
Work Experience UMaine

Graduate Assistant / Dec 2016 – May 2017

Up for Learning / Office of International Programs, The University of Maine

  • Provided support with international undergraduate admissions, collaborated with students and staff to develop and implement signature International Office events.
Work Experience UMaine

Instructional Aide / Aug – Dec 2016

Center of Innovation in Teaching and Learning, The University of Maine

  • Assisted five faculty members (Prof John Mahon, Prof Michael Hasting, Prof Paul Mayewski, Prof Patti Miles, Prof Nory Jones) at the Business department with lesson planning for graduate-level business classes.
  • Provided technical support for three graduate-level, online-hybrid, business classes (BUA 601, 605, and 645) using web conferencing software for the Center of Innovation in Teaching and Learning.
  • Provided support for faculty of University of Maine with UMaine Online and Blackboard.
Work Experience Boğaziçi University

Instructor / 2015 – 2016

English Preparatory Division & Speaking Center, Boğaziçi University

  • Taught English as a second language to undergraduate students at Boğaziçi University, a leading public university in Istanbul.
  • Contributed to the founding of the Speaking Center and the design of its curriculum; taught at the Center as a Speaking Instructor.
Work Experience University of East London

Research Assistant / 2010 – 2014

Dr. William M. Brown, University of East London

  • Collected and organized data for Dr. Brown’s research in evolutionary psychology, testing hypotheses on the role of reputation.
Work Experience Bilkent University

Undergraduate Research Assistant / 2008 – 2009

Dr. Lerna Yanık, Bilkent University

  • Compiled and reviewed source material for Dr. Yanık’s research on political identity, foreign policy, and political metaphors — later published as “The Metamorphosis of Metaphors of Vision: ‘Bridging’ Turkey’s Location, Role and Identity After the End of Cold War” (Geopolitics, 14(3), 531–549).

"You only are free when you realize you belong no place — you belong every place — no place at all. The price is high. The reward is great."

Maya Angelou