Stanford
Digital Education
A high school boy working on a laptop

2024 High School Student Advisory Group

Members of the 2024 High School Student Advisory Group shared their experiences with Stanford Digital Education (SDE) project managers and provided input on the design and delivery of our courses for high schools serving low-income communities. 

While a couple of the group members were already enrolled in college when the advisory group began meeting in fall 2024, all of the members took at least one SDE course while in high school. Their many insights helped SDE to identify challenges that students may encounter in adjusting to the intellectual demands of college material — and made us much better informed on how the courses function in the broader environment of high schools, families, and college admissions processes. 

We greatly value their willingness to have conversations with their fellow students, as well as with SDE team members, and to have provided frank and thoughtful feedback. The group met several times on Zoom.

Here is the roster of participants, with information about their involvement in Stanford and other university courses. Please note that the listed courses are Stanford courses unless otherwise specified.

Members 

Zachary Dayrit Buenaventura

Zachary Buenaventura
  • Courses taken: Map of the Modern World (Georgetown University), fall 2023; Between Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr.: Race, Religion, and the Politics of Freedom, spring 2024
  • Valley Academy of Arts & Sciences, Granada Hills, California (graduation year: 2025)

I wanted to take the opportunity to earn college credits, while broadening my perspectives with classes outside of what my high school offers. I felt satisfied with the things I learned in class, and it gave me a better understanding on social issues through the lives of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. I want to help improve the course material of this class for future students who will be participating within these Ed Equity courses.

Haven Howard

Haven Howard
  • Course taken: Raise Your Voice: Learn to Write Successfully for College and Beyond, spring 2023
  • Phelps A.C.E High School, Washington, D.C. (graduation year: 2024)
  • Student at Penn State University 

I decided to take the course because I thought it would be a great first step in an actual college experience before getting there. My teacher told me about it and said I should do it. Once I heard “Stanford” I thought it would be highly interesting to take the course. I would definitely do it again and I’m glad I did choose to take the course. It was enjoyable and I learned a lot about the way professors think when it comes to grading and evaluating assignments. I think it’s great that these courses are being offered and I want to make the process more enjoyable and better for other students looking to take the course.

Joan Ilegbameh

Joan Ilegbameh headshot
  • Course taken: Between Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr.: Race, Religion, and the Politics of Freedom, spring 2024
  • Westchester Enriched Science Magnets High School, Los Angeles (graduation year: 2025)

I decided to take the Ed Equity Lab course because I wanted to challenge myself with a new curriculum. Completing the course made me feel accomplished. I gained a deeper understanding on the impact of civil rights leaders and their lasting influence on society today. As a current high school student who has successfully completed the course, I can offer valuable perspectives as well as insight, help bridge the connection with the program and high school students, and strengthen my leadership and communication skills among different environments.

Ty Lipscomb 

Ty Lipscomb
  • Course taken: Introduction to Bioengineering, spring 2023
  • River City Science Academy, Jacksonville, FL (graduation year: 2024)
  • Student at Princeton University 

The course offered me the chance to dip my fingers into the world of Ivy League education. I felt as if completing the course set me up for success and was vital in forming my college vision. I want to help students who were in a similar situation as mine succeed in achieving their goals.  

Shresha Pattnaik

Shresha Pattnaik
  • Courses taken: Introduction to Computers, fall 2023; Essentials of Personal Finance (University of Pennsylvania), spring 2024
  • Reseda Charter High School, Los Angeles (graduation year: 2025)

I decided to take Ed Equity Lab courses in order to better prepare myself for college-level courses and challenge myself academically. In addition, the topics of my courses interested me. Completing these courses was incredibly rewarding, as I learned valuable strategies to ensure my success in college-level courses. I wanted to join the Student Advisory Group because I found the Stanford Ed Equity Lab courses very beneficial for me, and I felt that as a member of the group I would be able to make these courses even better for future students.

Mona Shariff

Mona Shariff
  • Course taken: Introduction to Bioengineering (spring 2024)
  • Emery High School, Emeryville, California (graduation year: 2025)

I took Stanford's Introduction to Bioengineering course because I wanted to explore biology while further pursuing my interest in engineering. After completing the course, I felt empowered and realized my love for bioengineering. I wanted to be a member of the Student Advisory Group to help improve these courses and the experiences of future Ed Equity Lab students.

Additional contributors

  • Jeanina Millie Subiyanto, Birmingham Community Charter High School, Los Angeles
  • Robert Ramirez, Birmingham Community Charter High School, Los Angeles
  • Serenity Flores, Birmingham Community Charter High School, Los Angeles
  • Angela Tagvoryan, Valley Academy of Arts and Sciences, Los Angeles
  • Marithza Mejia Guardado, Birmingham Community Charter High School, Los Angeles
  • Hajira Imran, Niagara Falls High School, Niagara Falls, New York
  • Ashley Hernandez, Birmingham Community Charter High School, Los Angeles