Krystle Klein is the Department Chair and Professor of Cinema at Los Angeles City College, where she teaches the art of storytelling through film and television—primarily directing, producing, and advanced production.
Krystle was drawn to LMU’s Ed.D. Program because of its emphasis on social justice. She also appreciated the way the degree was tailored to meet the needs of educators with full-time jobs and families, the professional and experienced faculty, and the consistent demonstration of excellence throughout the program and university.
Krystle’s dissertation, “You Matter Here: Examining Black and Latine Student Sense of Belonging in a Community College Cinema/TV Department Using TikTok,” chaired by Ernesto Colin, Ph.D., focused specifically on sense of belonging, because once that is met in an institution, retention and success rates drastically improve, particularly for Black and Latine students. Being that she works in a visual medium, it was important to Krystle to incorporate the camera in order to shine the light on the students, who were co-researchers, and their stories and experiences. Elevating them through TikTok made the data approachable and undeniable, accessible in real-time for change to occur.
Immediately upon completing her Ed.D. degree, Krystle went from full-time Professor to leading her department as Chair. She now implements what she has learned and experienced in the Ed.D. Program directly into her own department and campus. The very act of engaging in her research for the dissertation proved that the learning from the program does not happen in a vacuum. Rather, it is infused into real-life institutions for actual change and justice. This degree was a personal and professional goal of Krystle’s since completing high school, and with LMU’s program she was able to create meaning and change.