May 22, 2024
Raina Chelise in regalia

Raina Chelise, a trailblazing first-generation Stan State graduate, is on a mission to transform education. After earning her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, Chelise returned to Stan State to earn a doctorate in educational leadership with a fresh perspective and unstoppable energy. As a professor at Cabrillo College, her work is dedicated to infusing adult education with playfulness and creating an environment where holistic learning thrives. 

In collaboration with Stan State’s Associate Professor Virginia Montero Hernandez, Chelise is breaking new ground. Together, they are developing a cutting-edge certification program in playful learning, training, leadership and innovation. Their certificate program is set to inspire and educate both local and international audiences. 

For the past two years, Hernandez has worked closely with Chelise as her dissertation chair, and she has been consistently impressed by her inventive approach. “Raina’s job is relevant and creative,” she said. 

Chelise has a track record of creativity, launching a podcast called “Meet the Professor” to get to know faculty members on campus and introduce them to other Stan State students. 

“It was through brief conversations with my professors and classmates, during and outside of class, that led me to find these spaces where I was able to become a student activist leader, radio broadcaster, critical researcher, teacher and now a doctor of education,” said Chelise. 

Through the support of the campus community, she was inspired to continue asking questions and exploring her academic curiosities and love for teaching and learning. 

Chelise saw the potential in creative endeavors, and she sought the expertise of faculty members at Stan State to help her finetune her skills.  

“The communication studies and educational leadership programs drew me to Stan State. Once I transferred to this beautiful campus for my undergraduate degree and graduated with my B.A., it was the faculty members who inspired me to return and earn my doctorate.” 

After graduating, Chelisa is on track to launch her certificate program, in collaboration with the Ed.D. and American Language and Culture Application programs at Stan State. She hopes her work will have an impact for educators both locally and abroad. 

“I am co-creating this certificate to offer opportunities for local and international leaders to build their unique capacity to identify barriers to equity and innovate creative solutions to transform their professional contexts,” she said. 

#StanGrad File

Name

Raina Chelise

Hometown

Santa Cruz, CA

Degree/Credential

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership 

What memories stand out most from your time at Stanislaus State?

“My time at Stanislaus State has been defined by my incredible academic community that, through everyday meetings, built up over time and created a powerful relationship with my professors and classmates. These memories include becoming a student activist and marching alongside learners and teachers to fight for affordable, accessible, quality education; and imagining new possibilities for higher education through conducting and presenting research within classroom spaces and beyond.”

Which faculty or staff member had the greatest impact on you, and why?

“The entirety of my faculty members shaped who I am as a scholar-practitioner and educator but to name a few, Keith Nainby, Greg Jacquay and Virginia Montero Hernandez. Dr. Nainby was the faculty member who helped me identify and hone my passion for social justice in the classroom—because of my time learning alongside him I am an educator who sees teaching and learning as a critical, revolutionary endeavor.  

Dr. Jacquay encouraged me to value my voice and with his support, led me to amplify my passions as a radio broadcaster and seek dialogue to deepen relational connections.  

Dr. Hernandez uplifted me to investigate playful teaching practices and broadened my perspective as a researcher to study the power of play as an act of everyday resistance.”

What advice would you give to current and future students?

“I encourage students to build their learning community from the very beginning of their academic careers. The connections we build here will help us grow as scholars and people and navigate institutional barriers. These relationships are the foundation of a meaningful academic experience. Additionally, my loving invitation to students is to listen to that inner voice that asks the important questions and leads us beyond what is currently known.”


Note: This article is part of the StanGrad series highlighting Stanislaus State students who are part of the Class of 2024. Read more StanGrad profiles.