Dr. Tangela Blakely Reavis is an assistant professor of educational leadership at Saint Mary’s College of California. Dr. Blakely Reavis’s research focuses on the relationship between social inequality and educational opportunity, especially how race, class, and policy decisions impact college access, choice, and completion. Her work has been published in peer-reviewed education journals and national policy organizations. Dr. Blakely Reavis has been a qualitative researcher on several large-scale projects which focus on higher education access and completion. Two of these projects were conducted throughout the state of California, which is the primary research site for this study. As the Principal Investigator (PI), Dr. Blakely Reavis will oversee grant administration and lead data collection and outreach with one graduate student.

Dr. Kelly Slay is an Assistant professor of Higher Education and Public Policy in the Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College. Dr. Slay’s research draws upon qualitative approaches to examine how race, class, organizational structures, and public policies shape the experiences of underrepresented students in K-12 and higher education, particularly college choice and access to equitable opportunities throughout students’ educational trajectories. Two of her current projects use case study methodology to explore the college pathways of Black students and students from low-income backgrounds. Her research is published in leading journals, and she recently co-authored a chapter in the edited volume, Shuttered Schools: Race, Community, and School Closures in American Cities. As the Co-PI for this project, Dr. Slay will lead data analysis with one graduate student and engage in data collection and dissemination of findings.

Christine Dickason is a PhD student at Vanderbilt University. She holds a B.A. in Public Policy Leadership from the University of Mississippi, and a Master’s in Public Policy from George Washington University. Prior to Peabody, Christine worked in Washington, D.C. in a variety of organizations, including the White House Office of the First Lady, the Government Accountability Office, the Center for American Progress, and the Global Development Incubator. Dickason's research interests include college access for underserved communities, school counselors at the secondary level, and barriers to college persistence. As the Graduate Research Assistant for this project, Dickason will support data collection, data analysis and dissemination of findings.

Shaleda Newson is a Marriage Family Therapy/PCC MA student at Saint Mary’s College. She is currently a part of the Advisory Board for student life at SMC, where she advocates for students’ needs, concerns, and equity for marginalized students. Shaleda is also the Co-Chair for Graduate Students of Color group and an MFT intern for SMC’s Counseling and Psychological Services. She is interested in researching the impact of COVID-19 on student’s educational development, mental, and emotional health, and college choice. She is particularly interested in improving the college-going pathways for Black and African American students. As a Graduate Research Assistant for this project, Shaleda will investigate the needs of high school students, collect data, and support outreach.