Khamia Powell is a Research Associate with the Regional Educational Laboratory West (REL West). Across her portfolio of research and technical assistance projects, Powell supports states, districts, and schools in using evidence to make data-informed decisions that improve interventions and programs to ultimately advance educational equity for historically and persistently marginalized groups.
Previously, Powell was a K-12 public school educator who served over 10 years in Title I schools as a teacher, team leader, and district coach. More recently, as a researcher, she examined the impact of the development of empathy and critical consciousness on culturally responsive praxis.
Powell brings a diverse skill set based on her professional experience, interdisciplinary lens, and mixed methods research approach. Her work creates positive change through capacity building, systems change, and implementing asset-based technical assistance that aims to promote culturally responsive thinking, decision making, and thus practice. Powell is committed to service that yields more equitable learning opportunities and environments for diverse students, families, and communities.
Powell holds a BA in psychology from Hampton University (HBCU), an MSW in policy and social welfare from the State University of New York at Stony Brook (SUNY), and an MEd and a PhD from the University of California Irvine (UCI).