2020-2021 Doctoral Research Fellows Cohort
Abigail Colburn
Arizona State University
Abigail Colburn is a doctoral candidate in Nutritional Sciences at Arizona State University. Her research focuses on hydration and health; specifically, she is investigating disparities in water consumption and hydration status in Latinx adults. Abigail is passionate about undergraduate and graduate student success and has recently served on the university's Diversity and Inclusion Committee and Commission on the Status of Women. As a teaching associate, she supports undergraduate students enrolled in Human Nutrition courses. Abigail is a two-time graduate of the University of Connecticut, with a Bachelor's in Allied Health Sciences and a Master's in Exercise Science. Ultimately, Abigail is interested in improving health outcomes in racial and ethnic minority groups.
Khaleed Fuad
Georgia State University
Khaleed Fuad is a doctoral candidate in business administration with major in computer information systems at Center for Digital Innovation. His research interests include digital innovation, digital transformation, digital platforms, enterprise systems, and artificial intelligence. He co-authored this paper serving as the Doctoral Research Fellow for the University Innovation Alliance (UIA), representing GSU at UIA.
Matt Van Jura
The Ohio State University
Matt Van Jura is a two-time graduate of The Ohio State University, earning a B.A. in Political Science and History and a Ph.D. in Educational Studies. Matt also earned a M.Ed. from the University of Vermont in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration. He has over 10 years of higher education experience in a variety of professional roles, including work in the college union, student leadership development, community engagement, and student affairs assessment. Matt's research focuses on college student success and higher education's efforts to develop an engaged democratic citizenry.
Brandon R. G. Smith
Michigan State University
Brandon R. G. Smith is a Canadian doctoral student at Michigan State University in the higher, adult, and lifelong education education (HALE) program. Prior to beginning Ph.D. studies in fall 2019, Brandon worked in progressive leadership roles in Residence Life and Student Affairs & Services at Mount Royal University (2008-10), McMaster University (2010-13), and Ryerson University (2013-19). Brandon's research interests focus on student persistence, retention, and financial aid access; specifically, how student success interacts with student identities and characteristics. Brandon's current research explores how mid-career administrators working in postsecondary education (PSE) persist through their careers, and what organizational factors support—or hinder—this population's ability to succeed. Brandon completed his M.Ed. in higher education at The University of Toronto–OISE and his B.A. at Trent University.
Anna Drake Warshaw
Managing Director
