Center X Leadership Team
Center X has a distributed Leadership team chaired by Faculty Director John Rogers. The team meets weekly and includes directors who represent the Center’s major work areas.
John Rogers
Faculty Director, Center X
John Rogers is the Faculty Co-Director of the Principal Leadership Institute and Professor in the Urban Schooling division at UCLA’s Graduate School of Education. He studies strategies for engaging urban youth, community members, and educators in equity-focused school reform. Dr. Rogers earned his Ph.D. from Stanford University and draws extensively on the work of John Dewey to explore the meaning of and possibilities for democratic education today.
Emma Hipolito
Director, Teacher Education Program
Emma Hipolito has many years of experience as a history-social science educator, serving as a high school teacher in Santa Monica USD, a middle school teacher in Alhambra USD, a professional development leader, and a teacher educator for the UCLA Teacher Education Program. She has developed and coordinated several professional development programs with funding from both state and federal agencies.
Kristine Ho
Director, UCLA Mathematics Project
Dr. Kristine Ho serves as Director of Math Programs at UCLA, Center X since June of 2017 where she leads intitatives to improve, advocate, and equip communities, students and teacher leaders. UCLA Mathematics Project (UCLAMP) is part of a statewide program that strives to positively impact TK-12 educators, students, communities and school districts in the Los Angeles basin. Kristine is know for her innovative approaches to professional development and her dedication to fostering a love for mathematics in both educators and students. Together with her team at UCLAMP, Kristine partners with these groups to provide rich and transformative Mathematical experiences by developing programs that help prepare equity-focused, reflective, and responsive leaders in Mathematics.
Carrie Usui Johnson
Director, UCLA Center X Coaching Partnerships Project
Carrie Usui Johnson is the Director of Coaching Partnerships at UCLA Center X, bringing over 25 years of experience in education to her role. With a background as a teacher, district curriculum specialist, coach, and university partnership director, Carrie’s work focuses on nurturing strong coaching communities, fostering partnerships with urban schools and districts, and facilitating equity-centered conversations across the state of California. Her efforts are dedicated to supporting coaching, leadership development, and whole-school transformation initiatives, all with a steadfast commitment to equity.
Tiffani Mellado
Director of Business Administration, UCLA Center X
Tiffani Mellado is the Director of Business Administration at UCLA Center X, where she oversees financial operations, strategic planning, and administrative functions. With a strong background in financial and organizational management, she ensures the effective and efficient use of resources to support the center’s educational and community-focused initiatives. Tiffani is recognized for her leadership in fostering collaboration and driving the mission of educational equity at UCLA.
Tonikiaa Orange
Director, UCLA Principal Leadership Institute and Director, Culture & Equity Project
Tonikiaa Orange is the Director of the UCLA Principal Leadership Institute and the Director of the Culture & Equity Project at UCLA Center X. She is dedicated to advancing educational leadership with a strong emphasis on equity, social justice, and culturally responsive practices. Tonikiaa is known for her impactful work in empowering educators and leaders to create inclusive and transformative learning environments.
Erin Powers
Director, UCLA National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Project
Erin Powers served for more than 20 years as a secondary classroom teacher and instructional coach throughout southern California before becoming the Director of the UCLA NBPTS Project. An experienced professional development provider, she is passionate about supporting educators in respectful, meaningful, and empowering ways. Erin has an MEd in teaching and has held National Board Certification since 2003.