Paola Milbank ('26)

What does it mean to be a learner? What does it mean to advocate for educational equity? For Paola Milbank (she/her), these questions are at the heart of her academic journey. A junior in Davenport College from Washington, D.C., she is majoring in History on the U.S. track while pursuing Intensive Education Studies. Her passion for education was sparked in high school, where she spent countless hours working with children in a virtual, student-run program for elementary school students. That experience pushed her to think beyond the classroom—what is the meaning of education, and what does it mean for society at large?

Paola’s academic interests center on educational equity, particularly in public schooling, disciplinary practices, and special education. She is also fascinated by the intersection of religion and education, exploring how legal frameworks and cultural debates influence what students are taught. These interests took on a new dimension during her fieldwork at the American Federation of Teachers’ Government Relations department, where she learned about federal policy related to education and labor. Learning from educators advocating for their students was a meaningful and inspiring experience, showing her the power of educator activism on a federal policy level.

One of the most formative moments in her Education Studies journey was Education and the Culture Wars with Education Studies Senior Capstone Coordinator, Talya Zemach-Bersin (also known as TZB among students), a course that blended her love of history with pressing debates on race, gender, and alternative schooling. That class inspired her current capstone idea: researching homeschooling (de)regulation, familial discipline, and child welfare. She hopes to explore how historical battles over parental rights, state oversight, and educational access continue to shape today’s policies—and what they mean for the future of schooling in America.

Though she doesn’t have a rigid five- or ten-year plan, Paola knows she wants to be engaged in work that improves educational environments, whether through research, policy, or advocacy. Whether she’s analyzing historical trends, investigating legal frameworks, or working on the ground with educators, she remains committed to ensuring that students learn in the best possible school environment whether at the micro or macro level.