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Ruslan Korchagin
Beyond Borders in Educational Leadership
Meet Ruslan Korchagin, a doctoral candidate in Educational Leadership at California Lutheran University, whose research transforms rigorous, evidence-based study into practical solutions for educational equity; rooted in local communities and relevant globally. Originally from Russia, Ruslan has published seven peer-reviewed articles in journals such as Frontiers in Education and the California Journal of Politics and Policy. His work introduces frameworks like stratification economics to address K–12 disparities, highlighting how systems and structures affect student outcomes. He also explores issues like housing, poverty, and child homelessness in Ventura County, connecting research to policy and practice. As a Graduate and Teaching Assistant with CESI, the Graduate School of Education, and the MPPA program, Ruslan integrates his research into the classroom through culturally relevant teaching and ethics-focused discussions. “Education isn’t just about knowledge—it’s about opportunity, dignity, and inclusion,” he says. Moving from Russia to Thousand Oaks reshaped his perspective on education and community. “I was amazed by how open and kind people are here. The Cal Lutheran community made me feel at home from day one,” he shares. His advice to fellow international students: “Never stop learning, and learn more languages—they connect you to the world.” After graduation, Ruslan hopes to continue bridging research, teaching, and policy to build more inclusive, data-informed systems of education.
Written by Avya Pandhi, Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS), Center for Global Engagement, California Lutheran University. Edited with contributions from Poorva Pandere.