Alison Steigerwald

Dr. Alison Steigerwald is the inaugural University Innovation Alliance Fellow for Virginia Commonwealth University. Working as a first-year general education instructor while she completed her Ph.D. at the University of Iowa, a TRIO coordinator at Colorado Mesa University, and an academic advisor at VCU, she has honed her skills for the past 10 years as a University faculty and admin employee. She has worked to help students understand the hidden curriculum of higher education and learn how to thrive at their chosen university. While working for CMU in the TRIO program she developed a focus on first-generation college students and brought that dedication with her when she transitioned to VCU. While at VCU she has worked in the Robertson School for Media and Culture to help reduce barriers for her students and increase retention and graduation rates. 

Alison graduated from the University of Iowa in May 2020 with her PhD in History. She specialized in American women’s practice of dissent during World War I. Though she continues to love history she transferred her passion for teaching and research to advising and administration, hoping to help students navigate college and get the most from their academic careers.