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PhD Student
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James Leak
PhD Student
Department of Education
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Biography
I graduated from the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill with a B.A.
in Public Policy and Political Science in 2006. My specific
focus in Public Policy at UNC was Education Policy. My interest in
education formed while working with Latino youth in my church during my
high school years. In college, I continued my work in education as a
tutor at a local elementary school. However, it was in the summer of 2005
while working at Liberty St. Community Center in downtown
Durham, NC that I formed my true interest in education policy. From my
experiences as a group leader at the community center working with
underprivileged kids, I started research on the achievement gap
between white and black students in the Durham Public Schools. In
addition, during my senior year at UNC, I conducted a research project
with several other students in the Public Policy program on end of grade
assessment systems in several different states.
I am entering the Department of Education's Ph.D. program in Education
with a focus in Educational Policy and Social Context in the Fall of 2007.
I hope to continue my research in educational achievement gaps, their
causes, and programs and policies that can be implemented to help close
these gaps. Irvine's vibrant young faculty, diverse
community, and dedication of resources to educational research stood out
from other universities, in addition to the specialization of
educational policy. After completing my degree, I intend to pursue
research in the field of education and develop viable policy
alternatives at a university, policy institute, or state department of education.
I am excited about the opportunity to live and work in Southern
California after growing up and living in North Carolina. Other
interesting facts about me include: I am an avid sports fan, in
particular UNC sports, Go Tar Heels!. I also worked at a
woodworking design company as an assistant project manager for a year.
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