#  Q&A with Christopher Ozuna, Cohort 13 SDP Fellow Alumnus 

 





October 08, 2025

 

 

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   ![Chris Ozuna](/sites/g/files/omnuum4446/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/2025-10/Christopher%20Ozuna%20%281%29.png?itok=aV7E17DE) 

 

Christopher Salem Ozuna, PhD, is a researcher for the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office, where he supports the nation’s largest higher education system by leveraging large-scale data to inform policy, improve student outcomes, and expand opportunity. He previously worked with the ASU Helios Decision Center for Educational Excellence as part of Cohort 13 of SDP. He earned his doctorate in education policy from UCSB with a focus on teacher education and equity, following several years as an elementary school teacher. Outside of work, Chris enjoys studying new languages, experimenting in the kitchen, and building (self-declared) utopias in Cities Skylines.

**What drew you to the SDP Fellowship? What did you do prior to the SDP Fellowship? How did you get started in the education data/policy field?**

I was drawn to SDP because I knew I had been gaining valuable skills in my PhD program, and I wanted to put them into direct action/use in the field for an education organization.

Prior to SDP, I was working on my PhD, which is where I first started working with education data and policy. I originally was a classroom teacher, and wanted to learn more about how decisions were made at the system level, and how I could make myself useful to students and communities.

**What is the most memorable or impactful moment or experience from your time as an SDP Fellow?**

Outside of the SDP cohort activities, the most impactful moment I had was when the teacher mentorship program at the center of my capstone culminated in a retreat and awards ceremony at ASU and the university president spoke to our attendees.

At SDP events, I was really blown away by SDP convening my second year: it was amazing to see how the network was impacting so many people across the country, and then knowing I was now a part of it.

**Tell us about your current job.**

I work on the internal research team for the CA community colleges system office. I support a few different program teams with their data & research needs: mainly dual enrollment, Rising Scholars and the Student Equity Program. Our system is the largest in the nation, and many Californians depend on us. I feel honored I get to directly impact the implementation and direction of our programs on a regular basis.

**What skills did you gain from your time as an SDP Fellow that you find helpful in your current role?**

Communication, teamwork, and strategy-based thinking.

**What advice would you give for prospective SDP Fellows? What would you say to encourage prospective applicants to apply?**

My advice would be to be open to new opportunities & ways of thinking, whether that's a placement, or a project, or a method. There are students, teachers, and communities who need your expertise and skills.

**What is something you enjoy in your free time?**

In my free time, I enjoy cooking, hiking, and traveling. Currently, I'm reading a science fiction collection by Ted Chiang, and I'm watching Severance.

**Please feel free to share anything else relevant or any other fun facts about yourself.**

I like to learn languages: currently studying Danish & Japanese. Another "fun fact" is in college, I was a bus driver!



 

 

 



 

 See also:- [ 2025 - 2027 Alumni Advisory Board ](/tags/2025-2027-alumni-advisory-board)
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