Meet Our Doctoral Students
We are delighted to announce the launch of our new online profiles for Doctoral Students at Teachers College.
If you are a currently enrolled doctoral student at Teachers College, please visit the profile submission page for more information on how you can create your own profile.
Meet Our Master's Students
Ruby Franzen is an M.A. candidate in the Economics and Education Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of San Francisco, double majoring in economics and international studies, with a minor in European Studies.
Before joining Teachers College, Ruby worked at The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit newsroom that focuses on innovation and inequality in education. She continues to work there full-time, contributing to the maintenance, operation, and expansion of their membership and sponsorship programs.
In addition to her academic and professional pursuits, Ruby founded Pass Down The Gown, a nonprofit that offers free prom dress rentals to high school students. Motivated by her own prom experience, she started this initiative in 2017 to provide sustainable and accessible options for prom-goers.
Ruby has dedicated much of her life to supporting students, whether as a student herself, in her professional roles, or through her nonprofit work. She aims to use her M.A. studies to understand economic strategies that can improve college outcomes and career opportunities for low-income students in the U.S.
Outside of work and studies, Ruby enjoys reading and visiting her family in Minnesota.
Ruby Franzen is an M.A. candidate in the Economics and Education Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of San Francisco, double majoring in economics and international studies, with a minor in European Studies.
Before joining Teachers College, Ruby worked at The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit newsroom that focuses on innovation and inequality in education. She continues to work there full-time, contributing to the maintenance, operation, and expansion of their membership and sponsorship programs.
In addition to her academic and professional pursuits, Ruby founded Pass Down The Gown, a nonprofit that offers free prom dress rentals to high school students. Motivated by her own prom experience, she started this initiative in 2017 to provide sustainable and accessible options for prom-goers.
Ruby has dedicated much of her life to supporting students, whether as a student herself, in her professional roles, or through her nonprofit work. She aims to use her M.A. studies to understand economic strategies that can improve college outcomes and career opportunities for low-income students in the U.S.
Outside of work and studies, Ruby enjoys reading and visiting her family in Minnesota.
Kathryn Lin is an M.A. candidate in the Economics and Education program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She earned her B.A. in Economics from Brandeis University, with minors in Mathematics and Architectural Studies.
Originally from China, Kathryn’s educational journey—from under-resourced schools to elite institutions—sparked her deep interest in educational equity. As a first-generation college student, she is passionate about how economic research can inform policy to expand access and opportunity across socioeconomic backgrounds.
Before joining TC, she worked as an International Student Advisor at Academic Collaboration for Excellence, where she supported international high school students with academic planning, acculturation, and college admissions. She also led parent workshops and tutored AP Economics.
At TC, Kathryn plans to explore education finance, cost-benefit analysis, and international comparative policy. She brings a wide range of interests to her work and life, including digital art, architectural design, dancing, singing, tasting coffee and wine, and investing in the secondary market.
Kathryn Lin is an M.A. candidate in the Economics and Education program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She earned her B.A. in Economics from Brandeis University, with minors in Mathematics and Architectural Studies.
Originally from China, Kathryn’s educational journey—from under-resourced schools to elite institutions—sparked her deep interest in educational equity. As a first-generation college student, she is passionate about how economic research can inform policy to expand access and opportunity across socioeconomic backgrounds.
Before joining TC, she worked as an International Student Advisor at Academic Collaboration for Excellence, where she supported international high school students with academic planning, acculturation, and college admissions. She also led parent workshops and tutored AP Economics.
At TC, Kathryn plans to explore education finance, cost-benefit analysis, and international comparative policy. She brings a wide range of interests to her work and life, including digital art, architectural design, dancing, singing, tasting coffee and wine, and investing in the secondary market.
Linyang (Damon) Xie is an M.A. candidate in the Economics and Education Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. He holds a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Education from the University of California, San Diego. Throughout his undergraduate studies, Linyang developed a passion for understanding the complex dynamics of educational access and policy, particularly in underserved communities.
During his undergraduate studies, Linyang served as a campaign assistant for U.S. Representative Scott Peters and as a Democracy Summer Fellow for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. In these roles, he was involved in various aspects of the campaign, including voter outreach, policy research, and event coordination. He also contributed to UC San Diego's Partner at Learning program, a community outreach initiative supporting socio-economically disadvantaged students in the San Diego Unified School District. As a volunteer teacher, he worked directly with students, designing and implementing educational activities that aimed to bridge the achievement gap.
Beyond his academic and volunteer work in the United States, Linyang is also the Co-founder of Bilden Education Inc., an innovative educational startup based in Chongqing, China. At Bilden Education, he focuses on developing and delivering cutting-edge artificial intelligence courses and programs tailored for children in the Southwest region of China. Recognizing the growing importance of AI in the global economy, Linyang is passionate about equipping the next generation with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
In his graduate studies, Linyang plans to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence, its economic effects on education policy, and the potential impact on underrepresented communities globally. His unique blend of experiences in politics, education, and technology informs his interdisciplinary approach to addressing educational disparities and promoting equity in the digital era.
Linyang (Damon) Xie is an M.A. candidate in the Economics and Education Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. He holds a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Education from the University of California, San Diego. Throughout his undergraduate studies, Linyang developed a passion for understanding the complex dynamics of educational access and policy, particularly in underserved communities.
During his undergraduate studies, Linyang served as a campaign assistant for U.S. Representative Scott Peters and as a Democracy Summer Fellow for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. In these roles, he was involved in various aspects of the campaign, including voter outreach, policy research, and event coordination. He also contributed to UC San Diego's Partner at Learning program, a community outreach initiative supporting socio-economically disadvantaged students in the San Diego Unified School District. As a volunteer teacher, he worked directly with students, designing and implementing educational activities that aimed to bridge the achievement gap.
Beyond his academic and volunteer work in the United States, Linyang is also the Co-founder of Bilden Education Inc., an innovative educational startup based in Chongqing, China. At Bilden Education, he focuses on developing and delivering cutting-edge artificial intelligence courses and programs tailored for children in the Southwest region of China. Recognizing the growing importance of AI in the global economy, Linyang is passionate about equipping the next generation with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
In his graduate studies, Linyang plans to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence, its economic effects on education policy, and the potential impact on underrepresented communities globally. His unique blend of experiences in politics, education, and technology informs his interdisciplinary approach to addressing educational disparities and promoting equity in the digital era.
As an M.A. candidate in the Economics and Education program, Amanda’s goal is to support student voice in education at large. At Wellesley College, she graduated with a B.A. in the first class of Education Studies majors. During undergraduate, she researched Makerspace Documentation and Evaluation in KY Schools—which was awarded a Pamela Daniels Fellowship,—Using Technology for Community-Based Problem Solving, Practical Skills for Student Self Determination, and the systemic barriers to success for FGLI students at elite colleges. Currently, she serves as a Senior Advisor to the KY Student Voice Team, focusing on Education Policy and College Counseling. Amanda is a first generation college graduate, if you don’t count her three older brothers, and aspires to be a first generation PhD student. When she’s not reading or writing, you can find her snuggled up with her cat, Splotches.
As an M.A. candidate in the Economics and Education program, Amanda’s goal is to support student voice in education at large. At Wellesley College, she graduated with a B.A. in the first class of Education Studies majors. During undergraduate, she researched Makerspace Documentation and Evaluation in KY Schools—which was awarded a Pamela Daniels Fellowship,—Using Technology for Community-Based Problem Solving, Practical Skills for Student Self Determination, and the systemic barriers to success for FGLI students at elite colleges. Currently, she serves as a Senior Advisor to the KY Student Voice Team, focusing on Education Policy and College Counseling. Amanda is a first generation college graduate, if you don’t count her three older brothers, and aspires to be a first generation PhD student. When she’s not reading or writing, you can find her snuggled up with her cat, Splotches.
Christina Zhang is an M.A. candidate in the Economics and Education program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She earned her B.A. at Emory University, where she developed a strong foundation in educational equity, policy, resource allocation, and developmental outcomes. Her interest in education grew from early volunteer work with migrant children in China and deepened through courses that revealed the systemic roots of inequality.
Christina has worked across research and teaching. At Guotai Junan Securities, she analyzed trends in the education sector and assessed the impact of public policy on learning outcomes. She later served as Assistant Director of the summer program at Beijing Zhongshan International School, where she co-authored an operational review and led the design of a free interdisciplinary course for migrant students, combining project-based learning with economic and environmental themes. At Emory and Cambridge, she contributed to research on hyperinflation, AI in education, and child development.
She is particularly interested in how economics can inform education systems that are more equitable and efficient. At Teachers College, she hopes to delve into her understanding of educational policy design and data-driven evaluation to better serve marginalized communities.
Outside the classroom, Christina enjoys playing the piano and violin, photography, and exploring local restaurants.
Christina Zhang is an M.A. candidate in the Economics and Education program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She earned her B.A. at Emory University, where she developed a strong foundation in educational equity, policy, resource allocation, and developmental outcomes. Her interest in education grew from early volunteer work with migrant children in China and deepened through courses that revealed the systemic roots of inequality.
Christina has worked across research and teaching. At Guotai Junan Securities, she analyzed trends in the education sector and assessed the impact of public policy on learning outcomes. She later served as Assistant Director of the summer program at Beijing Zhongshan International School, where she co-authored an operational review and led the design of a free interdisciplinary course for migrant students, combining project-based learning with economic and environmental themes. At Emory and Cambridge, she contributed to research on hyperinflation, AI in education, and child development.
She is particularly interested in how economics can inform education systems that are more equitable and efficient. At Teachers College, she hopes to delve into her understanding of educational policy design and data-driven evaluation to better serve marginalized communities.
Outside the classroom, Christina enjoys playing the piano and violin, photography, and exploring local restaurants.