Ali Shana

Ali Shana is a PhD student in Educational Policy & Leadership at Marquette University and a researcher with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. His work focuses on expanding equitable access to higher education, particularly through dual enrollment programs and STEM equity initiatives. As a former journalist and current multimedia reporter, he blends research with storytelling to amplify student experiences and policy impact. Ali also explores how generative AI is reshaping education systems, co-presenting findings on student attitudes toward AI tools like ChatGPT. He engages Milwaukee’s Islamic educational spaces and refugee communities through research and outreach, and leads scholarship efforts as part of his Rotary Club service. Through his platform ThinkCraft, he creates public-facing content at the intersection of education, research, and community voice.