#RisingGraduateScholars

From Teen Mom to Trailblazing Scholar Now in her third year of doctoral studies at York University, Prilly Bicknell-Hersco has become a passionate advocate for Black disabled students in higher education, a population she describes as “ve...

York University's Prilly Bicknell-Hersco has become a passionate advocate for Black disabled students in higher education, a population she describes as “very under-researched,” particularly in Canada. #RisingGraduateScholars

Over the past six years, Wendell Scales has been instrumental in creating innovative pathway programs that challenge traditional perceptions of agriculture. #RisingGraduateScholars bit.ly/3LcMKIv

Championing Equity in Workforce Development Over her 15 years in workforce development, Kioshana LaCount Burrell has traveled the country and encountered the same troubling pattern: programs inadequately modified for neurodivergent participants...

The Ohio State University's Kioshana LaCount Burrell (@kioshana.bsky.social) has traveled the country and encountered the same troubling pattern: programs inadequately modified for neurodivergent participants.

This frustration led her to pursue a Ph.D. #RisingGraduateScholars

Social Justice and Service Jerrard Wheeler’s journey to social work wasn’t direct. Like many students, he entered college with pre-med aspirations, earning a biology degree at Western Michigan University. But something didn’t s...

From Detroit to Zambia and back, Jerrard Wheeler’s journey illustrates how diverse experiences can converge into powerful advocacy for social justice and community healing. #RisingGraduateScholars

Making a Real-World Impact Armando Lizarraga's supporters say his research offers valuable insights into the intersection of incarceration, gender, and student debt.

Armando Lizarraga's (@alizarraga310.bsky.social) supporters say his research as a doctoral candidate in educational leadership and policy at The University of Texas at Austin offers valuable insights into the intersection of incarceration, gender, and student debt. #RisingGraduateScholars

As a third-year Ph.D. student studying Christian ethics at Vanderbilt University, Royal Todd represents a rare breed of scholar-practitioner who refuses to compartmentalize his dual callings. #RisingGraduateScholars bit.ly/42x3mRl

Redefining Resilience At 32 years old, Mirinda M. Morency represents a new generation of scholars who understand that meaningful research begins with lived experience and community connection.

University of Minnesota's Mirinda M. Morency represents a new generation of scholars who understand that meaningful research begins with lived experience and community connection. #RisingGraduateScholars

A Critical Thinker When Arlin Hill worked as a marketing consultant for Universal Music Group a few years ago, he got to see the vast influence that various record companies have on society.

Arlin Hill, one of our 2025 #RisingGraduateScholars from Brown University, is exploring how culture shapes identity, behavior, and social reality—particularly within the context of Black life and thought.

Championing Teachers in High-Conflict Contexts For Myssan Al Laysy Stouhi, the path to a Ph.D. has been anything but conventional.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania's Myssan Al Laysy Stouhi is one of our 2025 #RisingGraduateScholars!

She is transforming her lived experience into groundbreaking research that amplifies the voices of teachers working in crisis contexts.