Algorithms and ethics: Alfonso Montero serves as Adjunct Professor and Program Coordinator for MA Leadership, and will moderate the speaker series. In addition, he'll lead a session in November titled, “Thinking Mindset in the Age of AI: Cultivating Consciousness for Ethical Leadership.” / Photo by Francis Tatem
Thought Leadership in an Era of Turbulence: Saint Mary’s Kalmanovitz School of Education Launches Inaugural Speaker Series
The school’s scholars and educators tackle topics from ethical leadership in the age of AI to mathematics education. Events are free and open to the public and kick off on October 13.
The Kalmanovitz School of Education (KSOE) at Saint Mary’s College of California is proud to announce the launch of its 2025–2026 Speaker Series, a monthly lineup of virtual talks that highlight the depth and breadth of faculty thought leadership. The series focuses on topics ranging from ethical leadership in the age of AI to the intersection of neuroscience, learning, and personal growth.
“This series allows us to engage our community in conversations that reflect the challenges and opportunities of today’s world,” notes Sandy Preto, KSOE Director of Admissions & Marketing. “Our faculty bring fresh perspectives from their teaching and research in education, counseling, leadership, and forensic psychology, helping us all learn and grow together.”
“Faculty at the Kalmanovitz School of Education are doing transformative work that deserves to be shared beyond the classroom,” says S. Marshall Perry, Interim Dean of KSOE. “This series engages the broader community by showcasing their scholarship and brings vital conversations about equity and justice to the forefront.”
Rooted in Saint Mary’s Lasallian values, the KSOE Speaker Series features 45-minute virtual sessions designed to be practical and accessible, offering tools and insights that can be applied in classrooms, workplaces, and communities.
All sessions are free and open to the public.
From Mathematics to AI to the Power of Reflection
Mary Raygoza, an associate professor of Teacher Education, kicks off the series on Monday, October 13, 2025, at 6 p.m. with an interactive session looking at how “Everyone Counts! Understanding and Changing the World with Mathematics.” Participants will explore how mathematics can be used as a powerful tool for equity and justice, gaining insights on connecting curriculum with community, fostering student agency, and reimagining math education as a pathway to meaningful social change. The session draws on Raygoza’s teacher action-research study in East Los Angeles, highlighting strategies for creating inclusive, culturally sustaining classrooms.
Register now for the October session
Here is the full series for fall 2025 and spring 2026, with more details to come.
Monday, October 13, 2025 | 6 p.m.
Mary Raygoza, Associate Professor of Teacher Education | “Everyone Counts! Understanding and Changing the World with Mathematics”
Register for the October session
November 11, 2025 | 6 p.m.
Alfonso Montero, Adjunct Professor and Program Coordinator for MA Leadership | “Fostering a Systems Thinking Mindset in the Age of AI: Cultivating Consciousness for Ethical Leadership”
February 2026 | Exact date TBD
Kathleen Taylor, Professor of Leadership for Doctorate in Educational Leadership for Equity and Social Change (EdD) | "Mind-Body-Brain: Emerging Developments in Neuroscience"
March 19, 2026 | 6 p.m.
Akilah Reynolds, Assistant Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy / Professional Clinical Counseling | “The Power of Reflection: Preparing Students for Growth in Academia and Beyond”
April 7, 2026 | 6 p.m.
