Thirty-five years ago, Tiffany Young arrived in Reno with just $190, an acceptance letter and an unwavering belief in the power of education. Today, she’s on track to earn her third degree from the University of Nevada, Reno, as she completes her doctorate in Educational Leadership. This adds to her journey, which already includes a bachelor's and master's degree from the University. Her story is one of perseverance, passion and purpose, rooted in a deep commitment to transforming education for students and educators alike.
Both personal experience and professional insight fuel her doctoral journey. As the former director of equity and diversity for the Washoe County School District, Young witnessed firsthand the importance and the challenge of implementing culturally responsive pedagogy in K-12 education.
“I am passionate about capacity building for K-12 educators,” she said. “As a previous director of equity and diversity, I saw the value of providing intentional tools and resources around diversity, equity, inclusion and cultural competency for students, staff, families and the overall culture and climate of schools.”
Now, she’s setting her sights on an even broader impact. Her goal is to develop practical tools, books, and research to help educators across the country embed culturally responsive practices into their classrooms, which are tools that are urgently needed as the diversity of student populations continues to grow.
Young’s research specifically targets preservice teachers’ reflective practices across the culturally proficiency continuum in early childhood education, linking it to her extensive background in K-12 equity. “Staying in the College and being able to home in on the passion and the research beyond the work I’ve been doing made sense,” she said. “Now I’ll be able to connect my K-12 experience to educator’s preservice reflective practices through this research and dissertation.”
In addition to her doctoral studies, Young now works with the Department of Defense and the Nevada National Guard through the STARBASE program, a partnership that gives Title I fifth graders hands-on exposure to STEM through activities in 3D printing, aviation and engineering. “We are making sure students of color, students from Title I schools, and underrepresented communities have access to high-quality STEM learning opportunities,” she said.
Outside of her academic and government work, she also runs her own consulting business focused on cultural competency, equity diversity training, leadership development and public speaking.
But none of this came easily. Young’s path has been marked by extraordinary challenges; from growing up in South Central Los Angeles surrounded by systemic adversity, to navigating personal loss, divorce, financial hardships and most recently, a breast cancer diagnosis.
“In September 2024, I was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer,” she said. “I have been blessed by the grace of God to survive, be surrounded by family and friends who prayed and supported me, and continue the goals set before me, one of which is graduating on May 17, 2025, with my doctorate in educational leadership.”
Through it all, she has never wavered in her mission: to create educational environments where all students can thrive, and educators are equipped to meet their needs. Her success, she says, is deeply rooted in the community and mentors she’s found at the University of Nevada, Reno.
“There have been so many people,” she reflected. “Joe Crowley (may he rest in peace), Dr. Patricia Miltenberger, Dr. Marsha DuPree, Dr. Rita Laden, Dr. Andre Thorne, Hazel Ralston, Dr. Paul Mitchell, Dr. Jafeth Sanchez, Dr. Melissa Burnham, Dr. Prisca Gayles, Dr. Melanie Duckworth, Dr. Sheena Harvey — all of whom have played a pivotal role in my success at the University.”
For the University of Nevada, Reno, Young’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience and the transformative role of higher education. As she prepares to cross the stage in May 2025, degree in hand, she does so not just as a graduate, but as a leader committed to building a better future for generations of students and teachers to come, which truly embodies the core values of The Wolf Pack Way.
