Our Education, Research & Impact Team, led by Dr. Tia Kim, consists of a team of research scientists, research assistants, and product engagement specialists who build on Committee for Children’s extensive experience in the field of social-emotional learning to develop and continuously improve our programs and products. Our researchers translate recent research from the field and the current challenges and needs of classrooms into practical application to ensure every program and product we create promotes the social-emotional development, safety, and well-being of children. The team is deeply invested in the continuous improvement of our programs and uses research as an aid to these efforts. The Committee for Children research advisory group also provides consultation and guidance to our staff. Join our growing team! Visit our Careers page to learn about our current openings. Tia Kim, PhD Vice President of Education, Research & Impact Read Bio × Tia Kim, PhD Vice President of Education, Research & Impact Tia Kim leads the development and evaluation of Committee for Children’s programs. She’s committed to enhancing their quality, effectiveness, and reach through innovation, partnerships, and rigorous, continuous improvement processes. Tia received her doctorate in developmental psychology at the University of California, Riverside, and completed three years of post-doctoral training at the Academic Center of Excellence on Youth Violence Prevention, where her research focused on the etiology and prevention of youth violence and aggression. She served for three years as an assistant professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Penn State, Brandywine, before taking her current position at Committee for Children. Karen Thierry, PhD Research Manager Read Bio × Karen Thierry, PhD Research Manager Karen has more than 20 years of experience researching programs designed to improve children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development. In her role as a research manager, Karen studies how educators are using Second Step® social-emotional learning (SEL) programs so she can help identify and eliminate barriers to effective implementation. Karen joined Committee for Children in November 2021 after working as a data strategist for Atlanta Public Schools. Her research has been supported by federal agencies and private foundations, including the National Institute of Health, the Spencer Foundation, and the Helmsley Charitable Trust. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Notre Dame and a PhD in developmental psychology from the University of Texas. Karen currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and daughter. She believes analyzing situations is her SEL superpower. “Growing up, I could see firsthand the disparities in access to a quality education,” she says. “That’s why I wanted to join Committee for Children. Systemic, research-based SEL is a primary lever for improving the educational experience of all children.” Jane Choi, PhD Senior Research Scientist and Fund Development Strategist Read Bio × Jane Choi, PhD Senior Research Scientist and Fund Development Strategist Jane Choi, PhD, is a senior research scientist on the Education, Research, and Impact Team. Before joining Committee for Children, she was a researcher at Mathematica for seven years and conducted rigorous impact and implementation evaluations of educator professional development programs and student programs in thousands of classrooms across the nation. At Committee for Children, Jane uses intersectional approaches to racial equity to lead research to inform Second Step® SEL for Adults, a professional development program for educators that’s rooted in social-emotional learning. In this work, Jane bridges her research expertise with her practical experience conducting professional development programs and working as a teacher’s aide in elementary classrooms and as an advisor to pre-service teachers. Jane has a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s and doctorate in education from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she taught undergraduate students education and Asian American studies courses. She says her SEL superpower is appreciating diversity, and she is committed to working to improve education for historically marginalized students and the educators who support them. “It’s very fulfilling to know the research I do is used to develop and improve a program that supports educators’ day-to-day practices,” Jane says. Cailin Currie, PhD Senior Research Scientist II Read Bio × Cailin Currie, PhD Senior Research Scientist II As a researcher, Cailin Currie has looked at everything from preschoolers’ school readiness and elementary students’ mindfulness to middle schoolers’ academic motivation and traditionally underrepresented undergraduate students’ sense of belonging in STEM majors. In April 2018, she brought her experience in investigating the best, evidence-based strategies for supporting students’ success inside and outside the classroom to Committee for Children, where she works as a senior research scientist conducting assessments and collecting feedback on our products at multiple stages. She’s also supporting one of the company’s product development teams as their researcher. Cailin has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a master’s and PhD in applied developmental psychology from Portland State University. Her SEL superpower is accurate self-perception. “Being aware of what’s going on internally and externally has been a big priority for me in the last 10 years,” she says. “It’s helped me interact with others and better understand my needs and what strategies work best for me.” Yangyang Liu, PhD Senior Research Scientist Read Bio × Yangyang Liu, PhD Senior Research Scientist Yangyang joined Committee for Children in January 2022 as part of the team that develops our social-emotional learning (SEL) program for middle school students. After spending much of her career researching what young people need to grow and thrive, Yangyang knows that adolescence provides a great opportunity to promote positive development. “There are a lot of changes during puberty, and I believe every individual can reach their full potential in a supportive, nurturing environment,” she says. Now she applies her research expertise to products that help educators support children during this critical stage. Before joining Committee for Children, Yangyang earned a PhD in education with a focus in human development from the University of California, Irvine. She says her passion for developmental psychology was cultivated within an ecosystem of support from family, friends, and educators. Yangyang believes her SEL superpower is perspective-taking, something she feels everyone can improve on. “Good research and product development should reflect multiple perspectives,” she says. “The collaborative environment at Committee for Children allows me to apply and grow this strength.” Pooja Rajanbabu Research Associate Read Bio × Pooja Rajanbabu Research Associate After graduating from the University of Washington (UW) with a bachelor’s degree in public health-global health, Poojashree “Pooja” Rajanbabu says she knew she wanted to work for an organization driving meaningful change in the world. “I joined Committee for Children because of the innovative research it’s doing to support and improve the social-emotional development and well-being of children across the nation and around the world,” says Pooja. “I am passionate about improving the overall health and well-being of children and am excited about future possibilities.” In her previous positions interning at the UW Timothy A. DeRouen Center for Global Oral Health and the UW Global Center for Integrated Health of Women, Adolescents, and Children, she gained significant experience working with qualitative and quantitative data, conducting literature reviews, and collaborating with key stakeholders. She also contributed as a scientific writer and became highly skilled at developing procedures and improving processes. In her current role as research associate for Committee for Children’s Education, Research & Impact team, she collects, analyzes, and reports data from her team’s research activities to inform the development of research-based solutions that improve outcomes for students and staff. Pooja says her SEL superpower is empathy. “I believe it’s critical to understand multiple people’s perspectives and thoughts, especially when working to create products for a diverse global population,” she says. “Empathy is essential for building trust and respect.” Sonny Lim Research Assistant Read Bio × Sonny Lim Research Assistant Sonny Lim is a research assistant for the Education, Research & Impact department. Before joining Committee for Children, Sonny earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Washington. He spent two years during his program as a research assistant exploring topics related to social psychology, such as identity, intersectionality, and discrimination, which he notes are especially relevant to social-emotional learning (SEL). Sonny believes his greatest strength lies in his passion for research. “I genuinely enjoy every step of the process,” he says. Since joining Committee for Children in November 2021, Sonny has contributed to the development of our Second Step® Middle School program. He assists with data collection and analysis, and conducts literature reviews. Sonny’s dedication to his work goes beyond day-to-day tasks: “Once I learned about the organization, I realized that contributing to the ongoing research at Committee for Children would give me the opportunity to make a true impact on people’s lives. Having the ability to make a positive change through research is something that I have always aimed to achieve in my career, so this role is very meaningful to me,” he says. Sonny’s SEL superpower is appreciating diversity, which he credits to his Chinese and Cambodian heritage and to his experiences with different cultures while growing up in rural Georgia and living in Washington State. Haleigh Randall Research Associate Read Bio × Haleigh Randall Research Associate Haleigh has the crucial role of analyzing complex data to assess and improve the implementation of Committee for Children’s social-emotional learning (SEL) programs. “We’re focused on interpreting the fidelity of classroom SEL so we can make it more successful for educators,” she says. Haleigh earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Washington, where she was awarded a Population Health Recognition Award for her research on the links between substance abuse and mental health symptoms in college students. She also worked as a summer camp teacher at the Pacific Science Center in Seattle, where she helped children in preschool through first grade develop social-emotional skills they hadn’t had the opportunity to practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. Haleigh believes her SEL superpowers are problem-solving and decision-making. “I’m always one to offer advice you wouldn’t normally think of. Sometimes a small solution can make a life-changing impact,” she says. In her spare time, Haleigh loves painting, collecting global currency, and crocheting. AnnaRose Beckett-Herbert Research Assistant Read Bio × AnnaRose Beckett-Herbert Research Assistant AnnaRose is a research assistant for Committee for Children’s Education, Research & Impact Team, providing research support to the K–8 program team. Utilizing data, such as from focus groups and surveys, she drives continuous improvements to the Second Step® Elementary and Second Step® Middle School programs. AnnaRose says her strengths are big-picture thinking and an innate ability to see new patterns and connections. “I pride myself on my ability to see an issue from every angle and consider all perspectives,” she shares. Prior to her position at Committee for Children, AnnaRose worked as a tutor for middle school students. “That’s where I saw firsthand the social and emotional struggles the students were facing,” she says. While in college, AnnaRose conducted independent research in psychology and sociology on the topics of bias and prejudice. AnnaRose says social awareness is her social-emotional learning (SEL) superpower, specifically perspective-taking. She is excited to support Committee for Children’s mission of making a difference in the lives of children, sharing, “I deeply appreciate getting to see the tangible, real-world impact of our research work.” AnnaRose earned a bachelor’s in psychology and sociology from McGill University. When she’s not at work, AnnaRose enjoys being outside, hiking, and weightlifting. Carrie Thomas, MBA Senior Product Engagement Manager Read Bio × Carrie Thomas, MBA Senior Product Engagement Manager Carrie Thomas finds her motivation in getting to come to work every day and do something meaningful. As senior product engagement manager at Committee for Children, she makes sure that client feedback and perspectives are reflected in our products serving them, and she collaborates with multiple CFC teams to make this happen. In her previous role assessing community needs for state government, Carrie analyzed data to help schools and community organizations identify services needed to address youth violence and substance abuse prevention. She repeatedly saw the use of Second Step, CFC’s social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum, included in the methods. “When the position at CFC became available, I knew it was something I believed in because I saw the direct impact it could make firsthand,” she says. Carrie has a dual bachelor’s degree in mass communications and public relations from Seattle University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. Having worked on a variety of teams at CFC since 2007, she has found relationship-building to be her SEL superpower—and a huge part of this collaborative role. Ailsa Kiemle Senior Product Engagement Specialist Read Bio × Ailsa Kiemle Senior Product Engagement Specialist Ailsa Kiemle, senior product engagement specialist at Committee for Children, brings a unique perspective to her role with a bachelor’s degree in parks, tourism, and recreation management from the University of Montana. Her SEL expertise is anchored in compassion, honed through prior work with youth centers such as Boys and Girls Club and YMCA and from her experiences working in addiction and therapeutic settings, she advocates passionately for SEL, recognizing its transformative impact on children’s emotion management and identification skills. In her current position, Ailsa coordinates research studies and actively engages with teachers, principals, counselors, and district professionals for valuable product feedback. “I have seen, from working in addiction and therapeutic settings, the harm that can be done by not being taught how to control and identify emotions,” she says. “I believe SEL is a powerful tool.” Research Advisory Group Dorothy Espelage, PhD × Dorothy Espelage, PhD University of Florida Dr. Dorothy Espelage is a professor of psychology at the University of Florida. She is the recipient of the APA Lifetime Achievement Award in Prevention Science and the 2016 APA Award for Distinguished Contributions to Research in Public Policy, and is a fellow of APS, APA, and AERA. Over the last 20 years, she has written over 140 peer-reviewed articles, five edited books, and 30 chapters on bullying, homophobic teasing, sexual harassment, dating violence, and gang violence. Her research focuses on translating empirical findings into prevention and intervention programming, and she has secured six and one-half million dollars of external funding. She advises members of Congress and the Senate on bully prevention legislation. She wrote a 2011 White House Brief on bullying among LGBTQ youth and attended the White House Conference in 2011, and has been a consultant on the stopbullying.gov website and consultant to the National Anti-bullying Campaign, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Dr. Espelage has appeared on many television news and talk shows, including The Today Show; CNN; CBS Evening News; The Oprah Winfrey Show; Anderson 360, and has been quoted in the national print press, including Time Magazine, USA Today, People, Boston Globe, and the Wall Street Journal. Sandra Graham, PhD × Sandra Graham, PhD University of California, Los Angeles Dr. Sandra Graham is a distinguished professor in the Human Development and Psychology Division in the Department of Education at UCLA and the University of California presidential chair in education and diversity. Her major research interests include the study of academic motivation and social development in children of color, particularly in school contexts that vary in racial/ethnic diversity. She is principal investigator on grants from the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). Dr. Graham has published widely in developmental, social, and educational psychology journals and received many awards. Among her awards, she is a 2011 recipient of the Distinguished Scientific Contributions to Child Development Award from the Society for Research on Child Development and the 2014 E. L. Thorndike Career Award for Distinguished Contributions to Educational Psychology, Division 15 of the American Psychological Association. Most recently, in 2015 she was elected to the National Academy of Education. Nancy Guerra, EdD × Nancy Guerra, EdD University of California, Irvine Dr. Nancy Guerra is the dean of the School of Social Ecology and professor of psychology and social behavior at UCI. Her research focuses on preventing youth violence and promoting healthy youth development. She has been the lead investigator for a number of large-scale projects, including the Southern California Academic Center for Excellence on Youth Violence Prevention (2000–2011) funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Before that she was the principal investigator on an eight-year development and prevention study in the Chicago Public Schools, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. More recently she has been involved in international programs, as associate provost and senior international officer at the University of Delaware (2011–2015), and as a consultant for international agencies, including the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and USAID. She currently serves as co-chair for kNOw Violence, a global initiative to prevent violence in childhood sponsored by the Public Health Foundation of India. Kevin Haggerty, PhD × Kevin Haggerty, PhD Social Development Research Group, University of Washington Dr. Kevin Haggerty is the director of the Social Development Research Group, University of Washington School of Social Work. He has specialized in the development and implementation of prevention programs at the community, school, and family levels. Since 1993, he has been the project director for the Raising Healthy Children study, a school-based approach to social development. He is an early implementer and trainer of the Guiding Good Choices parenting program. He is principal investigator of the NIDA-funded Family Connections study, testing the Parents Who Care program, and the Focus on Families study. He is an investigator of the Community Youth Development Study, testing the effectiveness of Communities that Care. Shelley Hymel, PhD × Shelley Hymel, PhD University of British Columbia Dr. Shelley Hymel’s research addresses the interface of social and academic functioning, with the goal of understanding social developmental processes in order to support children and youth in school settings. Of primary interest is research to promote social-emotional learning (SEL) in children and youth. Her research is conducted through ongoing school-university partnerships and in collaboration with graduate students in the Social and Early Emotional Development (SEED) research laboratory. John Love, PhD × John Love, PhD Retired Dr. John Love began retirement after 18 years with Mathematica Policy Research, where he was senior fellow and area leader for early-childhood policy and research. He now provides independent consulting in early care and education research, program evaluation, and policy. He has been involved for more than 40 years in teaching, research, and evaluation studies of programs for children birth to age five and their families. Dr. Love is an authority on early-childhood program evaluation and assessment. He has directed numerous program evaluations that have included randomized control studies, implementation/process studies, and qualitative research. He was a key player in Early Head Start research and evaluation studies from the infant-toddler phase through its prekindergarten follow-up study. He directed a multisite study of preschool curricula for the US Department of Education (the Preschool Curriculum Evaluation Research or PCER project) and a single-county study of universal preschool for First 5 LA.