Research Assistant
PhD, Urban Education Policy, University of Southern California
Research Interests
Educational experiences of undocumented college students | Student organizations and organizing | Campus climate | Educational equity | Social justice | Student leadership development
Contact Info
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Arely Acuña Avilez was a research assistant at the Pullias Center for Higher Education and a Rossier Dean’s Fellow in the Urban Education Policy PhD program at USC Rossier School of Education.
Before pursuing her doctoral studies, Avilez worked as a research assistant in the Office of Residential Life at UCLA where she conducted assessment and evaluation for the living-learning and theme communities. During her time at UCLA, she completed her master’s degree in student affairs and served as an intergroup dialogue facilitator. Avilez also earned her bachelor’s degree in international studies from UC Irvine, where she developed an interest in student affairs and research on higher education through her various involvements on campus.
Avilez was advised by Adrianna Kezar. Her research interests include student civic engagement, student organizations, and the educational experiences that contribute to the academic persistence of historically underrepresented students, particularly for immigrant and undocumented youth in higher education.
Dissertation committee
Adrianna Kezar (chair), Charles Davis, Jody Vallejo (Sociology)
Dissertation title
Undocumented Student Organizations: Navigating the Sociopolitical Context in Higher Education