Council Members
Abigail Taylor
Position: Chair
Year: Senior
Program: English Education
About: Abigail is a Senior studying English Education with hopes of teaching middle school. She
believes education is the key to understanding and acceptance within all communities.
She believes understanding a student's development and where they come from will influence
their path more than anything else and works to nurture that in students.
Abigail is a first-generation student. She also has a disability called Auditory Processing
Disorder, which has never stopped her from accomplishing her goals. She believes representation
matters and is proud to serve as your ASUU Senator.
Taylor Johnson
Position: Graduate Vice Chair
Year: Graduate student
Program: M.Ed Student Affairs program
About: Taylor is a new member of the College of Education Student Council and is attending The University of Utah as a graduate student in the M.Ed Student Affairs program. He currently works as a graduate assistant with the U’s Learning Center, where he helps to oversee learning consultations, skills presentations, and the tutoring program. Taylor also serves as the Vice Chair of Student Services on the Associated Students of the University of Utah’s Student Resources Board.
Before coming to the U, Taylor studied at Utah Valley University, where he graduated from their Honors Program in May 2021 with a B.S. in Psychology, in addition to receiving distinctions for graduating Summa Cum Laude and from UVU's Global/Intercultural Program. He also worked as the Presidential Intern for the VP of Academic Affairs at UVU and as an Assistant Coordinator for UVU’s Supplemental Instruction Program.
Karina Flores Murga
Paige Dubrow
Position: Member
Year: 4rd Year Ph.D.
Program: School Psychology
About: I am a current fourth-year School Psychology doctoral candidate. I am passionate about education, advocacy, and community building. Currently, I am completing a full-time doctoral internship in Jordan School District. Additionally, I Co-chair the Student Advisory Committee for the Educational Psychology department. My research interests are focused primarily on supporting young adults with autism in career exploration and job attainment. I love the outdoors and you can be sure to find me hiking, biking, climbing, or skiing on the weekends depending on the time of year. I am the former CoE Student Council Graduate Vice-Chair and am excited to continue to be a member of this amazing team!
Adrian Adams (they/he)
Position: Member
Year: 4nd Year Ph.D.
Program: Learning and Cognition | Educational Psychology
About: I’m a Ph.D. student in the Learning and Cognition program. My research focuses on how undergraduate students engage in scientific practices in lab and field courses. I explore questions like how do students work with messy data and how do geology students learn how to make scientific observations? When I’m not on campus, I enjoy hiking, gardening, and singing with a community choir.
Myah Serenity Smith
Position: Member
Year: 2nd Year Undergraduate
Program: Elementary Education
About: My goals as an aspiring educator are to research trauma-informed teaching. I am interested in learning the ways in which I and other educators can build more trusting relationships with students and their communities by becoming trauma informed ; looking beyond behavior, building relationships, creating a safe environment, meeting students where they are at and being predictable. I am passionate about creating a safe space in the classroom for all students and helping to close gaps of inequity.
Dr. Julia Ann Kelly Hood (she/her)
Position: Assistant Professor and Faculty Liaison with Student Council
About: Dr. Julia Ann Kelly Hood is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology and acts as a liaison between College of Education leadership, faculty, and staff, and the Student Council. She provides guidance and feedback on Student Council goals and initiatives and supports Student Council activities.