About #PassTheMicYouth

#PassTheMicYouth seeks to amplify the voices of young people by sharing their lived experiences and stories of activism through a podcast and blog. This platform aims to highlight youth-centered issues, demonstrate the necessity of youth leadership, and provide educators and youth-serving professionals with useful tools and resources for fostering youth leadership, cultivating critical consciousness, and strengthening youth/adult partnerships.

Our Team

Co-Hosts/Producers

Hi, I’m Luke Shealy. I’m studying environmental engineering at North Carolina State University. Beyond working on #PassTheMic, I am involved with Engineers Without Borders and the March for Science. My first big experience with activism was leading the March for Science in my hometown of Asheville, North Carolina. It was inspiring to see over 2,000 people march together to support STEM and start a conversation about the challenges facing the scientific community. I see #PassTheMic as platform for young people to share our stories and voices. I’m so excited preconceptions to be challenged, new ideas shared, and important conversation started!

Nyawira Nyota is a student studying mechanical engineering and Spanish at NC State University, and is a Franklin Scholar as well as a Grand Challenge Scholar. She is an ambassador for the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, and serves as the Programs Chair for the National Society of Black Engineers.

Hi friends! My name is Matin Maani, and I am a student studying Middle Grades Language Arts and Social Studies Education at NC State University. I am really happy to be part of the #PassTheMicYouth team as we converse with youth from all over about the efforts they are making to affect positive transformations in our society. In addition to that, we get to learn new things and explore what our generation’s role is in making our communities stronger, happier, and healthier. Along with #PTMY, I am a College of Education Student Ambassador, as well as a mentor for the grassroots Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program, which seeks to help middle school-aged kids develop their capacity to serve their local community and have meaningful conversations about friendship and moral concepts. I look forward to the advances we will make together in uncovering the vast potential of youth!!

Program Coordinators

Maru Gonzalez, Ed.D. (she/her/hers) is an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in the Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences at North Carolina State University, a co-founder of Georgia Safe Schools Coalition (GSSC), and serves on the National Advisory Council for the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). Dr. Gonzalez has over 10 years of experience working with youth in various capacities, including as an educator, researcher, intergroup dialogue facilitator, and school counselor. The experiences and stories of young people — both spoken and unspoken — motivate, inspire, and sustain her work in the area of youth development. In addition to her efforts domestically, she has collaborated with youth in Chile, Peru, Spain and the Dominican Republic on initiatives aimed at cultivating more respectful, inclusive, and affirming schools and communities. Dr. Gonzalez has appeared as a guest commentator on both CNN and CNN Español and is a regular contributor to the Huffington Post.

Christy Byrd, Ph.D. grew up in Gastonia, North Carolina. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Agnes Scott College and a masters degree in psychology and PhD in education and psychology from the University of Michigan. She was a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow at Michigan State University in the Department of Teacher Education. Dr. Byrd’s research examines how school climate for diversity promotes academic engagement, cultural competence, and psychological well-being in students. She uses quantitative and qualitative methods to explore topics such as intergroup interactions, multicultural education, and culturally relevant teaching. Her work has shown that when youth experience their schools as positive, identity-affirming spaces, they are more academically engaged and successful.

Curriculum Consultants

Michael Kokozos earned a Ph.D. in Education, Culture & Society from the University of Pennsylvania; he also earned a B.A. and a Masters with an international studies focus from New York University. He loves to travel and has lived in Turkey, Greece, and Canada. His research focuses on inclusion in educational contexts and prejudice reduction. His leadership focuses on collaborating with youth on global leadership and social activism. He currently teaches IB Global Politics in Miami, Florida.

Katie McKee, Ph.D. teaches courses in leadership development and advises undergraduate students. She is a Co-coordinator of the Leadership & Social Justice Program in the College of Agriculture and is a Project SAFE Ally. Katie loves discussions about issues of justice and access, teaching methods and curricula for leadership, and 90s music. She’s a reviewer for the Journal of Leadership Education because she loves seeing what other people are studying. Katie is partner to Jonathan and favorite human/carrot lady to Phineas (the wonder horse).

Graduate Assistants

Brittani Clark is a first-year doctoral student in the College of Education’s Educational Equity program area of study. She holds an MAT in Special Education from NC State and has worked professionally as an educator in K-12 settings. Her experience ranges from preschool to adult learners. Currently, her research interests center anti-racist practices in school settings, retention of Black educators, and decolonizing school environments to make learning accessible for marginalized communities.

Tiffany Dangleben (she/her/hers) is a School Psychology doctoral student at North Carolina State University. She is a graduate of Lehman College (CUNY) in the Bronx, New York. There, Dangleben graduated with a B.A. in Psychology and a dual minor in Africana Studies and Women’s Studies. In Dangleben’s research, she identifies and combats disparities specific to African American families of children with Autism, as well as, educational inequities for all children in the K-12 public school system. Dangleben’s goal is to better the quality of life and educational experiences for all children as promised by the United States law. Dangleben is also a social psychology instructor who incorporates mental health and social justice into her classroom. Furthermore, Dangleben is Vice President of the Black Graduate Student Association at North Carolina State University.