Dr. May Yin Melody Isabela
Practitioner-Scholar in Education
Bridging classroom experience with higher education research to support immigrant and first-generation students
As a dedicated science educator, counselor, and higher education researcher, I specialize in fostering equity for immigrant and first-generation scholars. My scholarly work bridges the gap between classroom instruction and student affairs to create inclusive pathways in STEM fields. By centering the diverse lived experiences of students, I aim to transform institutional structures through evidence-based advocacy.
EDUCATIONAL EQUITY • IMMIGRANT STUDENT AFFAIRS • SCIENCE EDUCATION • PRACTITIONER–SCHOLAR IDENTITY
Academic Profile
2023–Present · PhD, Higher Education & Student Affairs · Claremont Graduate University
2023 · MA, Psychological Counseling (College Advising) · Teachers College, Columbia University
2018 · EdD, Educational Leadership · California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
2010 · MA, Education: Curriculum & Instruction · California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
1999 · BS, Biology · California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
- I am a middle school science teacher, counselor, and higher education student who cares deeply about students from immigrant and first-generation families. Each day, I teach science, support students and their families, and guide new teachers and student teachers. I also share my work at conferences and in professional groups because I want multilingual and first-generation students to feel seen, safe, and able to succeed in school and beyond.
My research looks at how immigrant and first-generation students move through K–12 and into college. I focus on science education, student voice, and how schools can better support multilingual learners and their families.
Scholarly Engagement
I present my research at conferences such as AERA, CERA, and the Diversity in Research and Practice (DiRP) Conference. I have served as a discussant, proposal reviewer, and session moderator, and I mentor emerging scholars through programs such as WiSE and the BLAIS Tandem Program. My work focuses on immigrant and first-generation students, adolescent development, and equity-centered STEM and higher education.
AERA Annual Meeting
April 2026 | Los Angeles, CA
BLAIS Tandem Program Scholar
August 2025 | Claremont, CA
Serving as a Summer 2025 BLAIS Tandem Program Scholar, collaborating on research focused on equity, student success, and higher education.
Women in Science Columbia Symposium
April 2022 | New York, NY
Presentation titled “The Effective Components for Online Science Classroom that Supports Beginner and Intermediate English Language Learners – A Literature Review”
Professor for a Day – Course EDD 7150, Educational Leadership Program
March 2022 | Pomona, CA
Presented your dissertation,
“Asian American Women in Leadership Roles: The Success and the Challenges as Public-School Administrators in Southern California.”
AERA Annual Meeting
April 2026 | Los Angeles, CA
Serving as a proposal reviewer for the 2025 AERA Annual Meeting, evaluating submissions on teacher recruitment, mentoring, and equity-focused educational research.
RSCA Annual Conference
March 2025 | Pomona, CA
Serving as a presentation judge at the 13th Annual Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities (RSCA) Conference, reviewing student projects and providing feedback on research design, clarity, and impact.
California Educational Research Association (Presentation)
Novembe 2022 | Aneheim, CA
Presenting research on student engagement and online learning at the California Educational Research Association (CERA) Conference, focusing on adolescent development and the “camera off” phenomenon during virtual instruction.
Women in Leadership Conference
2021 | Los Angeles, CA
Presenting “Asian American Women in Leadership Roles: The Success and the Challenges as Public-School Administrators in Southern California” at the Women in Leadership Conference and the Black Doctoral Network Conference (2021).
AERA Annual Meeting
April 2026 | Los Angeles, CA
Serving as a discussant at AERA sessions on principal labor markets and teacher recruitment, offering feedback on research related to race, school climate, and mentoring in education.
Fall CUE Conference
October 2023 | San Joaquin, CA
Presenting research on student engagement and online learning at the Fall CUE Conference at Teachers College of San Joaquin, focusing on how technology-supported instruction can better support diverse learners.
WiSE (Cal Poly Pomona Women in Science and Engineering
2022 | Pomona, CA
Serving as mentor for women students in science and engineering—supporting them with guidance on research, coursework, and STEM career pathways as part of the Cal Poly Pomona Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE)
California Educational Research Association (CERA) Conference
November 2017 | California
Presenting research on the challenges and successes of Common Core math implementation and teachers’ perceptions of student attitudes toward learning.
Inquiries & Academic Collaborations
To connect, click the “Collaborate” button below to email me directly.
Explore my Google Scholar page to view my publications, citations, and ongoing research in educational equity, immigrant and first-generation students, and STEM teaching.
Bridging two decades of classroom practice with rigorous doctoral research to advance equity for first-generation and immigrant students in science education.