McBee Institute Community Shines at ASHE 2025

The Louise McBee Institute of Higher Education proudly continued its tradition of active participation at the Association for the Study of Higher Education’s (ASHE) 50th Annual Conference, held November 12–15 in Denver, Colorado.  

This year, the McBee community was represented by 7 faculty members, 8 current students, 1 postdoc, 15 alumni, and 3 former postdocs. Together, they contributed to an impressive 50 sessions across the conference, underscoring the Institute’s commitment to advancing scholarship and leadership in higher education.  

The Institute’s presence at ASHE was marked by:  

    •    24 paper presentations
    •    3 interactive symposia
    •    1 research workshop, "Engaging in Culturally Responsive International Research," facilitated by Assistant Professor Dr. Meseret F. Hailu and Dr. Kayla M. Johnson of the University of Kentucky.

In preparation for the conference, graduate students organized a dry-run presentation session in Meigs Hall to sharpen their delivery and gain important feedback from their peers.  

Beyond scholarly presentations, McBee members played pivotal roles in shaping the conference. Their leadership roles included 11 session chairs, 6 session discussants, and 2 session organizers. Additionally, 10 community members served on ASHE committees and boards, reflecting the Institute’s involvement across the organization: 

    •    Stephanie Aguilar-Smith, Ethics Committee 
    •    Meredith Billings, Graduate Student Policy Seminar Planning Committee 
    •    Jennifer M. Blaney, Program Committee, Undergraduate Students: Access Section Co-Chair 
    •    Timothy R. Cain, Associate Editor, Review of Higher Education 
    •    Denisa Gándara, Position Taking Committee 
    •    Jaden Mikoulinskii, Graduate Student Committee Vice Chair 
    •    Joshua Pearson, ASHE Board of Directors, Advancement & Fundraising Committee Chair 
    •    Paul G. Rubin, Fellows Committee 
    •    Amy Stich, Editorial Board, Review of Higher Education 
    •    William B. Walker, Attendee Engagement Committee 

Graduate student William B. Walker and Postdoc Kaitlyn Stormes were recognized with Outstanding Reviewer Awards by the ASHE Programs Committee for their thoughtful, thorough, and constructive feedback on assigned ASHE 2025 program proposal submissions.  

The McBee Institute also prioritized connection and community-building during ASHE. On Wednesday, November 12, the Institute sponsored the ASHE Joint Pre-Conference Reception, welcoming all pre-conference registrants. Later in the week, on Friday, November 14, the Institute hosted a private reception at Henry’s Tavern, bringing together faculty, students, alumni, and friends in celebration of shared scholarship and fellowship.  

As the Institute reflects on its contributions to ASHE 2025, excitement is already building for next year’s conference. Several McBee students and faculty have been selected to serve on ASHE committees for 2026, continuing a long-standing tradition of leadership and service.  

    •    Stephanie Aguilar-Smith, Programs Committee 
    •    William Hargrove, Local & Community Engagement Committee 
    •    Jaden Mikoulinskii, Local & Community Engagement Committee 
    •    Jordan Mitchell, Attendee Engagement Committee 
    •    William B. Walker, Awards Committee 

The McBee Institute demonstrated a strong presence at the 2025 Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE) conference, reflecting its commitment to advancing higher education through scholarship, leadership, and service. Through impactful presentations and active leadership roles, members of the McBee community highlighted both the depth of their academic excellence and the strength of their collective engagement.

Looking ahead, the Institute anticipates continued contributions at ASHE 2025, with the goal of shaping the future of higher education and fostering meaningful connections across the field.