Diversity in Organizations, Communities & Nations Research Network

Luis Carrera González is a PhD candidate in Education at the University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain) and a member of the GI-Esculca Research Group. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Pedagogy and a Master’s degree in Secondary Education with specialization in Educational Counseling. His research focuses on teacher-student relationships, adolescent social development, and relational climates in both formal and non-formal educational settings, with particular interest in youth development and community-based education. Alongside his academic work, he collaborates in youth leisure and educational programs, exploring how relational practices contribute to belonging, equity, and social justice in diverse educational contexts.

Dr. Kalen D. Zeiger is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, started as Core Faculty in the Couple and Family Therapy program at Antioch University in Fall of 2025, and serves as Director of Clinical Outreach at Radiant Pathways in the Denver metro area. Their work integrates trauma-informed care, postmodern approaches, and inclusive clinical practices, with a focus on queer and marginalized populations. Dr. Zeiger’s research works towards improving systems through developing trans-inclusive intake practices and addressing minority stress. Their scholarship focuses on diversity and inclusion in care by recognizing how structural inequities shape relational experiences and access to care.

Tynecca Lynch, PhD, LCSW, is an Assistant Professor at Appalachian State University, specializing in racial justice and social work education. Drawing on extensive clinical experience, Dr. Lynch’s research examines the profound impact of systemic racism on Black mental health, moving beyond individual pathology to address systmic oppression. Dedicated to decolonizing the social work curriculum, her projects focus on preparing practitioners for authentic anti-racist practice within minority communities. As a clinical supervisor and mentor, she centers equity and justice in both the classroom and the field to bridge the gap between frontline practice and systemic reform.

José is a Psychologist with a PhD in Human Resources Development Policies from the University of Lisbon and a Master’s in Organizational and Work Psychology from the University of Coimbra. His research focuses on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), particularly gender diversity and LGBTQIA+ studies. He is a Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Minho and the Polytechnic Institute of Lusophony. A certified trainer and active researcher, he has published in international books and journals. His professional experience includes career counseling in higher education and recruitment and selection roles in both national and international organizations.

Xiaoyu Gao is a Ph.D. candidate in English literature and criticism at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Gao is from China and obtained her bachelor's degree in English literature in China. During her undergraduate degree, Gao studied in Taiwan for half a year as an exchange student. Then Gao pursued her master's degree at Eastern Illinois University. Her specialty and interests lie in intersectional feminism, global and transnational literature, inclusive and gamified pedagogy. In addition to her current research and writing in these areas, Gao is also seeking a chance to develop public projects that relate to these areas. As she taught at Southwest University in China before and currently teaching at George Mason University and Duquesne University, Gao hopes to strengthen her pedagogical ability as well.

Logan Tayler Pender is an Ed.M. candidate and Predoctoral Fellow in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His work interrogates how U.S. higher education and education abroad systems operate as instruments of soft power and how they might be reimagined through decolonial, justice-centered, and reciprocal frameworks. Drawing on Critical Race Theory, transnational feminism, and cultural symbiosis, he examines how institutions must redefine their purpose in a fractured global order: not as exporters of knowledge, but as co-learners and diplomatic bridges. Logan will begin his Ph.D. in Higher Education at the University of Arizona as a University Fellow in the fall.

Natasha Welcome M.Ed. is an ESL adjunct professor, researcher, and founder of Metamorphosis Education Consultants, where she supports organizations in becoming more linguistically and culturally aware, aligned, and responsive. With over 25 years in education, she has taught English language learners from more than 40 nationalities across K–12, higher education, and adult learning environments. She holds 3 degrees in Education, which includes a bachelor's degree in Literacy Studies from the University of the West Indies and a Master of Education in Teaching and Innovation from the University of South Wales. Her research and practice focus on language acquisition, communicative agency, and the role of language in shaping access to opportunity across educational, corporate, and healthcare spaces. Natasha has conducted and presented research on effective strategies for multilingual learners, including language development, communication barriers, and inclusive instructional design.