معرفی
Dr. Jenel Lao serves as a Lecturer and Director of Online Programs at UC Irvine's School of Education, spearheading the Certificate in Afterschool and Summer Education (CASE) program and developing the school's first online course in 2015.
Her educational credentials include:
- Ed.D. in Educational Administration, UCI/UCLA Joint Doctoral Program (2001)
- M.Ed. in Teacher Education, UCLA (1993)
- B.A. in Political Science, UC Davis (1992)
Dr. Lao's research focuses on practical applications of extended learning, examining how afterschool programs align with academic standards and impact student development. Her work emphasizes data-driven program evaluation and staff development strategies for high-quality out-of-school experiences, as reflected in courses like EDUC 157 (Educational Research and Evaluation) and EDUC 160 (Foundations of Out-of-School Learning).
Publication trends show enduring commitment to educational equity since 1992, evolving from literacy reform to contemporary workforce development in extended education. The 2025 in-press article highlights current focus on professional staff retention within California's largest afterschool systems.
She advises undergraduate CASE program students through EDUC 191 capstone fieldwork (50+ hours) and has secured operational support for UC Links Partnership initiatives. Conference presentations demonstrate sustained engagement with California Educational Research Association on topics including Common Core alignment and sustainability planning.
Dr. Lao leads the School of Education's online program development while maintaining active community partnerships with THINK Together and Santa Ana Unified School District through her prior executive roles.
