Doctoral Student Abigail is a current full-time doctoral student at the Louise McBee Institute for Higher Education at the University of Georgia. Her academic path began in Washington State, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in English Studies and a minor in Journalism from Eastern Washington University. She then went on to complete a dual Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and Communication & Leadership from Gonzaga University. While completing her graduate studies, Abigail worked full-time as an administrative assistant to an academic dean at a local community college. That experience deeply shaped her interest in higher education systems, as she engaged in governance and policy conversations as a representative for staff at Board of Trustees meetings and participating in committees focused on improving student access and college transition pathways. These experiences sparked Abigail’s passion for understanding how institutions function behind the scenes and how implemented policy impacts both students and staff. At the University of Georgia, Abigail serves as the Graduate Research Assistant in the Office of the President. Abigail’s current research focuses on the intersection of educational policy and politics within university systems, with particular interest in how institutions develop, implement, and navigate policy to meet the evolving needs of their communities.
