North Carolina Reconnect - Adult Learner Research Team
To remain economically competitive and shrink the academic credential gap within the state of North Carolina, NC Reconnect is a statewide initiative birthed out of the state’s goal of having 2 million North Carolinians between the ages of 25-44 with some post-secondary degree or credential by 2030. NC Reconnect is a multifaceted initiative that supports NC community colleges in their efforts to re-engage and reconnect with adult learners as they re-enroll and complete a degree or credential.
As a Research Associate with the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research and a member of the Adult Learner research team, I contribute to research that gauges the impact of NC Reconnect. Specifically, I interview community college presidents, faculty, and staff to learn about leadership decisions and the ways adult learners are being supported, in addition to adult learners to learn more about their experience. So far, we have engaged with 15 different community colleges (across three cohorts of five) in North Carolina to learn more about how they recruit, support, and retain adult learners.
Click here to learn more about NC Reconnect!
Check out some of our work below!
Biological Sciences Belonging and Departmental Perceptions
In collaboration with the Department of Biological Sciences at North Carolina State University, I lead the development and implementation of a research plan to assess the experiences and sense of belonging of students within the department, in addition to their perceptions of their department’s DEI efforts. Specifically, I oversee the development and implementation of the study’s quantitative and qualitative data collection components (e.g., survey, interviews) and data analysis procedures. I also assist in training undergraduate researchers to conduct and analyze qualitative research.
DREAM STEM - Broadening Participation in STEM Education
This is an NSF grant-funded research study that investigates the ways to structure STEM learning environments to influence affective states such as expectancy, value, and belonging in STEM, specific to Black students taking gate-keeping science and mathematics courses at HBCUs. As a member of this research team, I have assisted with the development of research protocols and procedures, focus group interviews, and data analysis procedures related to exploring the experiences of Black students matriculating through STEM programs.
Exploration of Exemplary Women in Engineering (WEP) & Minorities in Engineering (MEP) Programs
In a collaborative effort with the 50K Coalition and the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), our research explores the infrastructure, goals, and outcomes of exemplary WEP and MEP programs at colleges and universities across the United States. The project has included an analysis of websites and documents from WEP and MEP programs and associated academic departments, in addition to interviews with staff and faculty that work with and/or support programs dedicated to supporting women and students of color in engineering undergraduate and graduate programs.
Black Queer And Trans College Student Well-being and Joy
The purpose of this study is to explore the lived experiences and well-being of Black queer and trans college students, in addition to the ways they make sense of and manifest joy.
Specifically, participants used photos to visually reflect on…
their racialized, queered, and gendered realities
the ways educational and social-political contexts impact their psychological well-being
the ways they live in moments of joy amid oppressive environments they may navigate
By focusing on these components, I hope this research experience gives voice to the full breadth of experiences Black queer and trans college students may have instead of solely the despaired narratives often depicted in media and academic literature.