Humane Education Graduate Programs

“There are ways of thinking that haven’t been thought of yet.” This little bit of common sense is pinned to the bulletin board in my office and is like the North Star of education for me. If we aren’t striving to educate ourselves beyond the known world of accepted ideas, we risk never discovering our own capacity for original thought. Humane education provides the framework for those of us who believe an authentic education should include an invitation to examine the world we live in and to apply our best thinking toward solving some of its problems.

Having worked in the field of education my entire adult life here in the U.S., as well as in developing countries, I hold firm to the idea that education is the most viable form of activism on the planet, and that injustice cannot thrive in a climate of awareness and compassion. When I am talking with an M.Ed. student on the phone and we are discussing connections between issues that confront our environment, our fellow creatures, our brothers and sisters around the world, we might suddenly find ourselves feeling as if these issues are so long-standing, so prevalent and intractable, that there is nothing we can do to help. This is when I look to my bulletin board and am reminded of what I already know to be true. The solution exists. It’s just embedded in a way of thinking that hasn’t been thought of yet. Let’s keep at it.

Mary Pat Champeau is the director of graduate programs at the Institute for Humane Education and faculty at Antioch University. She holds an MA from New York University. Mary Pat has been in the field of education since 1979 when she began teaching as a Peace Corps volunteer in Niger, West Africa. Before becoming part of the IHE team, she worked in refugee camps in Southeast Asia and supervised American culture and language programs for the World Trade Institute in New York City. Since 2002, she has directed and taught in IHE’s graduate programs first with Cambridge College, then Valparaiso University, and now at Antioch. She has served on numerous school and non-profit boards and is a longstanding member of the humane education anti-racism working group.

Nandita Bajaj teaches three courses in IHE’s graduate programs with Antioch University: the core courses of Human Rights and Environmental Ethics and the elective Pronatalism & Overpopulation. She designed Pronatalism & Overpopulation to explore the impacts of the pervasive and oppressive pressures placed on people to have children and their resulting impacts on them, other humans, animals, and the planet. Nandita is the Executive Director of Population Balance, a U.S. nonprofit that offers education and solutions to address the impacts of human overpopulation and overconsumption from a humane education framework. She completed her M.Ed. in Humane Education at IHE in 2021. Previously, Nandita worked as a high school physics and math teacher and an administrator in both the public and independent school systems, as well as an engineer at Bombardier Aerospace. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Society for Humane Science, which provides education on ethics and alternatives to animals in research, testing, and teaching in Canada.

Sarah Bexell, has worked in wildlife conservation, humane education and sustainable development for over 25 years. She holds a B.A. in biology and environmental studies from Augustana College, M.A. in biological anthropology from Northern Illinois University, M.Ed. in secondary science education from Georgia State University, and a Ph.D. in early childhood education from Georgia State University. Currently she is Clinical Associate Professor with the Graduate School of Social Work as well as Director of Humane Education for the Institute for Human-Animal Connection, both at the University of Denver. She is also a faculty member with the Institute for Humane Education-Antioch University and Senior Advisor to Conservation Education at China’s Chengdu Giant Panda Research Base.

Mike Farley teaches the core Animal Protection course in IHE’s graduate programs with Antioch University. He has been teaching middle and high school Geography and Environmental Studies for more than 20 years in Toronto. He is also a Sessional Lecturer for the University of Toronto’s Master of Teaching program. Mike completed his M.Ed. degree in Humane Education in 2021 and organized the inaugural Educators for Animals Conference that brought together educators from around the world who are incorporating animal protection into their school communities. Mike is a frequent presenter at conferences in Canada and the U.S. on topics such as human rights, environmental issues, and animal protection. In 2014, the Royal Canadian Geographical Society presented Mike with the ‘Innovation in Geography Teaching’ award, the highest honour for K-12 Geography teaching in Canada.

Vincie Ho, Ph.D., is faculty at Antioch University and teaches human rights for the graduate programs with the Institute for Humane Education. She is also the founder and executive director of RISE Travel Institute, a 501(c)3 nonprofit with a mission to educate all who travel so that when travel occurs it is responsible, impactful, sustainable, and ethical. Her work at RISE focuses on engaging tourism professionals, university students, and travelers in critical conversations around social justice, animal protection, environmental stewardship, diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, and systems change in the context of travel and tourism. Vincie holds a Ph.D. in Linguistics (HKU) and taught French at the University of Hong Kong for over a decade. She also holds various graduate and professional certificates in negotiation skills (UPEACE), humane education (IHE), sustainable tourism (GSTC), global social change leadership (NYU), and international peace and human rights (UNU). A native of Hong Kong, Vincie also teaches Cantonese, a politically marginalized language, as a commitment to preserve the cultural identity of her people.

Hyungjoon Jin (he/they) is an educator and curriculum developer whose work centers on justice, sustainability, and compassionate global citizenship. They hold a B.S. in Biology, an M.Ed. in International Education, and a Graduate Certificate in Humane Education. Hyungjoon supports homeschool students through Global Village School, helping young people engage in progressive education grounded in peace, equity, and ecological awareness. They serve as Board Secretary of RISE Travel Institute, advancing travel education through a decolonial and anti-oppression lens to foster a more equitable world. As Chair of Democrats Abroad Guatemala, Hyungjoon advocates for voting access for U.S. citizens abroad and promotes progressive policies that uplift working-class families and marginalized communities, including LGBTQIA+ individuals and people with disabilities. They are also the founder of Sansok Atitlán, an off-grid retreat and education center in the Lake Atitlán region of Guatemala that challenges exploitative practices in the mainstream fitness and wellness industry by offering a regenerative, community-centered alternative. Their work invites learners and changemakers to engage the world with curiosity, care, and a deep commitment to justice.

For me, education is about the world I am building . . . and that world is a place of liberation for everyone, including non-human animals.

Dana McPhall has over 30 years of experience in the nonprofit, government, and legal sectors, and holds a Master’s Degree in Education through the Institute for Humane Education (IHE), as well as a Juris Doctorate and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy. Since earning her M.Ed. degree, Dana has dedicated herself to exploring the intersection of humane education and racial justice, particularly the link between race and animality, and to teaching educators, advocates, and parents about the intertwined systemic roots of anti-Black racism and animal exploitation. As part of that work, Dana has chaired a working group of IHE staff and alumni dedicated to integrating racial justice issues more deeply into the field of humane education.

Five years ago, Dana joined IHE’s faculty at Antioch University to facilitate a self-designed course called Race, Intersectionality and Veganism. Dana is also the author of “What I’ve Learned by Applying an Antiracist Framework to My Animal Advocacy,” which was published in 2020 by Sentient Media and included in the influential book “Antiracism in Animal Advocacy: Igniting Cultural Transformation.” More recently, Dana has led nonprofit educational programs designed to support educators and advocates in promoting interrelated issues of social justice within the U.S. food system. In 2023, Dana started her own educational project called Liberate In Mind, whose purpose is to deepen understanding, shift movement narratives, and direct social action toward justice and liberation for Black people and nonhuman animals as one common undertaking through education.

Cynthia Trapanese is a classroom teacher at an inquiry-based school in San Francisco. Her professional focus includes weaving together humane education, arts integration, culturally responsive pedagogy, and positive learning environments. Cynthia has an M.Ed. in Humane Education, and GA and CA Elementary Education (TK-6) Teaching Certifications. As a writer, she has published articles in YES! magazine, and the Audubon Activist, and has co-authored a chapter in a college-level social studies textbook. Cynthia is a member of the IHE faculty at Antioch University where she teaches Creative Activism and Just, Good Food. She is a lifelong learner with a passion for continuously looking at contextual relevance based on what is needed in the moment for students and faculty, as cultural and societal changes happen.

Emily Tronetti, EdD, is a humane educator dedicated to nurturing more equitable and compassionate relationships between humans and other beings. In 2024, she graduated from IHE and Antioch University with her Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational and Professional Practice with a specialization in Humane Education. She also holds a Master of Science in Anthrozoology from Canisius University and a Certificate in Applied Animal Behavior from the University of Washington.

Emily is an adjunct professor at Canisius University, where she developed and teaches courses on animal nonprofits in the anthrozoology graduate program. She’s also an instructor of animal behavior and welfare at Husson University. Emily combines her academic background with extensive practical experience in various animal care and nonprofit settings, such as co-founding the Humane Alliance of Rescue Trainers, collaborating with The Open Sanctuary Project, and helping to facilitate New Roots Institute‘s summer Leadership Academy.

At the heart of Emily’s transdisciplinary work is a deep commitment to cultivating connection and community. In her role as Community Connection Specialist, she aims to support and empower IHE’s graduate students, alumni, and the larger humane education community.

Kristine Tucker is a veteran teacher with 14 years of classroom experience. Her interest in humane education, adult learning, literacy, special education, sustainability, outdoor/experiential education, and transformative learning is indicative of her deep commitment to social change. Kristine holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Master’s degree in Special Education, Teacher of the Handicapped certification, Elementary Education certification, Middle School Literacy certification, and a graduate certificate in Humane Education.

Kris Tucker is on the faculty of the IHE program at Antioch University and teaches Writing for Social Change, Humane Education Capstone, and Building a Solutionary Practice. She has her Ed.D. in Higher Education and Adult Learning and is a veteran teacher with 20 years of classroom experience. Her interest in humane education, adult learning, literacy, special education, sustainability, outdoor/experiential education, and transformative learning is indicative of her deep commitment to social change. Kris works full-time as an educator at Ridge and Valley Charter School.