Morgan State Education Graduate Students Present Equity-Focused Research at 2026 DASLP Symposium

As a premier graduate department of education that cultivates equity-oriented, transformative leaders and scholars, the Department of Advanced Studies, Leadership, and Policy (DASLP) at Morgan State University continues to center research that advances justice in education. On January 23, 2026, DASLP hosted its Third Annual Graduate Research Symposium, showcasing original scholarship from students across its master’s, EdD, and PhD programs in education.

The symposium featured nearly three dozen presenters, making it the department’s largest research symposium to date. Master’s and doctoral students presented research in both poster and oral presentation formats, engaging faculty, peers, staff, and community members in thoughtful discussion. Many presenters are full-time educators, administrators, and student affairs professionals who are advancing equity-focused research while balancing careers and graduate study.

The Graduate Research Symposium serves as an annual platform for students to share work developed through course assignments, thesis projects, dissertations, and faculty collaborations. It is also a professional development experience designed to support scholarly identity development, academic communication skills, and research-informed practice.

Presentation topics reflected the breadth and urgency of equity-oriented research in DASLP’s graduate programs. Featured projects included:

• “Bridging the Divide: Student Reflections on AI, Equity, and Community at an HBCU” – Benita Threadgill, Community College Leadership

• “The Impact of U.S. Immigration Policy on International Students Enrollment and Career Planning” – Jacob Sule, Comparative and International Education

• “Support in the Shadows: How Students Navigate Campus Services Without a Centralized System” – Jontae Hankins, Higher Education & Student Affairs

These projects examine AI and equity at an HBCU, immigration policy and international student mobility, and access to campus support systems—issues that are central to Black education, student success, and transformative leadership.

The DASLP Graduate Research Symposium reflects the department’s mission to center Black education, use equity-oriented teaching and research, promote research-informed contextualized practices, and foster collaboration across programs. By creating space for emerging scholars to present original research and receive constructive feedback, DASLP supports transformative community engagement and prepares leaders, scholars, and practitioners to advance justice in the public, private, and educational sectors.

For working professionals seeking graduate study in education that supports equity-focused research and community-centered leadership, DASLP’s master’s, EdD, and PhD programs provide a rigorous and supportive academic home.