Doctoral Research Fellows

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.

Student Persistence and Arizona State University’s Academic Status Report System

Khaleed Faud, Georgia State UIA Doctoral Research Fellow

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.

Student Success through Digital Innovation: A Change Management Model

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.

Charting a Course with MAAPS

Brandon Smith, Michigan State's UIA Doctoral Research Fellow

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.