Scholar of the Month

Education has always been central to my work. While practicing law and serving refugees and immigrants, I realized I was often reacting to challenges after they occurred. This led me to shift my approach from simply addressing legal issues to also educating clients about the law so they could better understand their rights and make informed decisions in the future.

That experience sparked my interest in education as a tool for empowerment. I recognized a broader gap in many communities—a lack of understanding of systems that shape people's lives. As an academic, I now apply the same philosophy by helping educators develop the knowledge and agency to lead change within their classrooms and schools. My interest in this field stems from a belief that education empowers individuals to advocate for themselves and create meaningful change in their communities.

My research seeks to empower marginalized communities by helping them reclaim power, voice, and agency in navigating the systems and environments that shape their lives. Too often, individuals and communities are disadvantaged not because they lack ability, but because they lack access to information and an understanding of the laws, policies, and structures that affect them.

Through my research, I aim to increase legal and civic understanding so that individuals can make informed decisions, advocate for themselves, and participate more fully in their communities. I am particularly interested in how education can serve as a tool for empowerment, enabling people to recognize their rights, challenge inequities, and create positive change. Ultimately, my goal is to help build communities that are not only informed about the law but also equipped to use that knowledge to advance equity, opportunity, and self-determination.

My research promotes legal literacy among educators and communities, empowering them to better understand and navigate the laws and policies that affect their lives. By increasing knowledge and awareness, teachers, students, and families are better equipped to advocate for themselves, access opportunities, and contribute to more equitable educational and community outcomes. Ultimately, this work helps strengthen individual agency and supports broader social and educational advancement.

My favorite part of my research is witnessing the transformation that occurs when people gain a deeper understanding of the law and the systems that shape their lives. It is incredibly rewarding to see educators, students, and community members become more confident, engaged, and hopeful about their futures. As they develop the knowledge and skills to navigate complex environments, they begin to recognize their own ability to advocate for themselves, create opportunities, and make meaningful change. Seeing individuals move from uncertainty to empowerment is what makes this work both meaningful and inspiring to me.

When I’m not working on my research, I enjoy spending quality time with my family and supporting my children by attending their sporting events and extracurricular activities. I also enjoy staying active through pickleball and biking with friends. These activities provide a healthy balance to my professional work, allowing me to recharge, stay connected with the people who matter most to me, and appreciate the importance of community, teamwork, and lifelong learning outside of the classroom and research setting.

Students are integral to my research, bringing real-world issues and experiences into the classroom that help inform and shape my work. Through assignments such as legal analyses, podcasts, and teaching legal lessons, they actively develop and promote legal literacy. I believe that people learn best when they can teach others, so students serve as both learners and educators, helping extend legal knowledge into their schools and communities.

Community members are important partners in my research, sharing experiences and perspectives that help identify legal literacy needs within schools and communities. Their involvement through conversations, workshops, and educational programs ensures that my research remains relevant and responsive to real-world issues while helping individuals better understand and navigate the laws and systems that affect their lives.

During the 2026–2027 academic year, I will be conducting research and serving as a guest lecturer in Vietnam as a U.S. Fulbright Scholar at the Vietnam National University–Hanoi, University of Education. This opportunity will allow me to expand my research on legal literacy into an international context and explore how legal education can empower individuals and communities across different social, cultural, and political environments.

I plan to share and adapt my research with students, scholars, and policymakers in Vietnam, fostering dialogue about the role of legal literacy in promoting civic engagement, educational equity, and community empowerment. Ultimately, I hope this work will contribute to a deeper understanding of how legal literacy can help individuals navigate complex systems and create positive change within their communities, both in Vietnam and beyond.