Julia Elise Hillengas is an Undergraduate Researcher at the Institute for Race and Social Thought.  She is currently a third-year Honors student concurrently pursuing an undergraduate degree in Political Science and a Master’s degree in Secondary Education at Temple University.  She is primarily interested in community development and empowerment as well as issues surrounding race and class in K-12 public education.  Her current project of study regards the role of public schooling in a democratic society and current inequalities in education.