Meet the CEPI Team

Anzar Khaliq

Chief Learning Officer

Anzar Khaliq, Ph.D., is SFBU’s first chief learning officer and leader of the Center for Empowerment and Pedagogical Innovation (CEPI). Prior to joining SFBU, he was a founding member of Habib University in Karachi, Pakistan. Khaliq held several key leadership roles, including associate dean of teaching and learning, as well as assistant dean of the Dhanani School of Science and Engineering. He also co-founded the Center of Transdisciplinarity, Design, and Innovation at Habib University.

Khaliq brings a unique blend of creativity and innovation to his work, shaped by his 10 years as a radio jockey and his training in improv theater. These experiences profoundly inform his teaching approach, particularly in courses he led like life design and the history and philosophy of science, where he encouraged students to explore new perspectives.

Khaliq is also an experimental physicist and a design researcher. Trained as a nano-scientist at Sorbonne University in Paris, he has worked at some of the world’s most cutting-edge particle accelerators, bringing a deep scientific rigor to his diverse roles in academia.

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Leslie Ji

Student Support Specialist in Academic Writing and Language Proficiency

Leslie is passionate about empowering students to find their voice through the vehicle of language, instilling a spirit of confidence with effective communication skills that help them excel academically and in their future careers. Her six-year background in public education and targeted tutoring services enables her to design personalized learning approaches that build student proficiency. Leslie holds B.A. degrees in theatre and dance from UC San Diego and a single subject teaching credential from San Jose State.

leslie.ji@sfbu.edu

Evelyn Binoya

Student Support Specialist in Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning

Evelyn earned her B.S. in mathematics and B.A. in art history from Stanford University, where she conducted research alongside the archaeology and material science departments, regularly leveraging data science techniques. She has previously worked at various museums and collections, including the DeYoung Museum and the Smithsonian Institution, where she conducted scientific analyses of various artifacts. With six years of mathematics tutoring experience and a deep passion for teaching and learning, Evelyn is committed to helping students achieve their academic goals while sharing her enthusiasm for mathematics.

evelyn.binoya@sfbu.edu

Maria Zapiain

Instructional Designer

Maria Zapiain earned her Master’s in Education and Tutoring and Bachelor’s degree in Art Education in Mexico, along with a MicroMaster’s Certificate in Instructional Design and Technology from the University of Maryland. With experience spanning K–12 teaching, instructional design, curriculum development, eLearning, and faculty and staff training, she is passionate about creating engaging and meaningful learning experiences that make education accessible to diverse learners.

Maria combines creativity, technology, and innovative teaching strategies to support student and faculty success. Her background in both education and the arts allows her to approach learning design with empathy, adaptability, and a strong focus on learner engagement and detail.

maria.zapiain@sfbu.edu

Andrew Rothman

Instructional Designer

Andrew is passionate about helping students build confidence, technical fluency, and real-world problem-solving skills through thoughtful curriculum design and supportive instruction. His background in public education, computer science, and instructional design enables him to create engaging learning experiences that make complex concepts more accessible to students. Andrew has developed curriculum, facilitated teacher training, and supported the implementation of STEM and AI-enhanced learning programs across K–12 and higher education settings. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from San Francisco State University and an M.A. in International Affairs from Columbia University, and is committed to helping students connect academic learning to practical skills, creative inquiry, and future career opportunities.

andrew.rothman@sfbu.edu