Higher Education doctoral students
There are currently more than 60 doctoral students enrolled in our Higher Education programs, and more than 200 across our department.
Morgan Bartlett Morgan Bartlett
- Doctoral Student, Higher Education
- She/her/hers
- bartl220@umn.edu
Morgan is a doctoral student in the Higher Education program at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities' Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development.
![](/sites/olpd/files/styles/x_small_portrait/public/2024-12/PXL_20240903_201536169.MP%20%281%29.jpg?h=74be136f&itok=AbxIf_Tl)
Olivia Buncher Olivia Buncher
- Doctoral Student, HE
- she/her
- obuncher@umn.edu
Olivia Buncher is a doctoral student in the Higher Education program at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities' Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development.
![](/sites/olpd/files/styles/x_small_portrait/public/2025-01/2022%20Headshot.jpg?h=52d01546&itok=CvcW5SdK)
Daniel Gonzalez Daniel Gonzalez
- Doctoral Student, HE
- he, him, his
- dgonzale@umn.edu
Daniel Gonzalez is a scholar-practitioner and social justice advocate who intends to advance higher education, specifically for our most marginalized students, staff, and faculty.
![Daniel Gonzalez](/sites/olpd/files/styles/x_small_portrait/public/2023-10/Daniel%20Gonzalez.jpg?h=55541bb6&itok=mkSKLm0P)
Laura Haas Laura Haas
- Doctoral Student, HE
- she, her, hers
- lhaas@umn.edu
I am a dedicated student affairs professional and I believe that it is the responsibility of every faculty and staff member to contribute to student success from orientation to graduation.
![Laura Haas](/sites/olpd/files/styles/x_small_portrait/public/2023-10/Laura%20Haas.jpg?h=55541bb6&itok=du91y0lU)
Sarah Kruger Hilger Sarah Kruger Hilger
- Doctoral Student, HE
- she/her/hers
- hilge204@umn.edu
Sarah Kruger Hilger is a doctoral student in the Higher Education program at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities' Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development.
![Sarah Hilger](/sites/olpd/files/styles/x_small_portrait/public/2024-03/Sarah%20Hilger%20headshot.jpg?h=5d7998d1&itok=yqY_8B3_)
Crystal Lee-Thao Crystal Lee-Thao
- Doctoral Student, HE
- she, her, hers
- cklee@umn.edu
Crystal is a Hmong-American higher education scholar and practitioner with over 10 years of experience in higher ed.
![Crystal Lee-Thao](/sites/olpd/files/styles/x_small_portrait/public/2023-10/Crystal%20Lee-Thao.jpg?h=55541bb6&itok=DR1r3e3N)
Crystal Lee-Thao Crystal Lee-Thao
- Doctoral Candidate, HE
- she/her/hers
- cklee@umn.edu
Crystal Lee-Thao is a doctoral candidate in the Higher Education at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities' Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development.
![](/sites/olpd/files/styles/x_small_portrait/public/2025-01/Lee%20Thao%201.jpg?h=ada05aa9&itok=P-aJ786j)
Vic Massaglia Vic Massaglia
- Doctoral Student, HE
- he/him
- victorm@umn.edu
I'm the Director of the Career & Professional Development Center at the University of Minnesota's School of Public Health.
![](/sites/olpd/files/styles/x_small_portrait/public/2023-11/Vic-Massaglia-Headshot-JCC-Connexions1.jpg?h=55541bb6&itok=24oMbnuG)
Kimberlie Moock Kimberlie Moock
- Doctoral Student, HE
- she/her/hers
- moock001@umn.edu
Kimberlie Moock is a doctoral student in the Higher Education program at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities' Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development.
![Kimberlie Moock](/sites/olpd/files/styles/x_small_portrait/public/2024-03/Kimberlie%20Moock.jpg?h=02cb8b8a&itok=DW-ItCrS)
Julie Olson Rand Julie Olson Rand
- Doctoral Candidate, HE
- she/they
- olso1350@umn.edu
I serve as the Associate Director for Access Programs in the Disability Resource Center (DRC) at the University of Minnesota. My prior experience includes almost 5 years in Disability Services at St.
![](/sites/olpd/files/styles/x_small_portrait/public/2023-11/JulieOlsonRand.jpg?h=55541bb6&itok=vWbAz3b_)
Nathan Price Nathan Price
- Doctoral Student, Higher Ed
- He/Him
- nkprice@umn.edu
Nathan Price is a doctoral student in the Higher Education Program at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities' Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development.
![](/sites/olpd/files/styles/x_small_portrait/public/2025-01/Headshot.png?h=0d374c7c&itok=vpfqFKa9)
Danielle Rintala Danielle Rintala
- Doctoral Student, HE
- she/her
- rinta015@umn.edu
I am a biologist who has worked in higher education for 15 years. I have 19 years of experience teaching various student learners in higher education.
![](/sites/olpd/files/styles/x_small_portrait/public/2023-11/DanielleRintala.jpg?h=55541bb6&itok=dpWHIK3R)
Richard J. Roman Richard J. Roman
- Doctoral Student, HE
- roman495@umn.edu
Richard Roman is a doctoral student in the higher education program at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities' Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (OLPD).
![Richard Roman](/sites/olpd/files/styles/x_small_portrait/public/2024-03/ProfessionalHeadshot_RRoman_2019_11_v1.jpg?h=1962c2b7&itok=DVw3qUfV)
Akira Sawata Akira Sawata
- Doctoral Student, HE
- he/they
- sawat045@umn.edu
Akira Sawata is a critical scholar-practitioner dedicated to advancing theories and practices that empower socially marginalized populations in higher education.
![](/sites/olpd/files/styles/x_small_portrait/public/2024-12/Student%202.jpg?h=4acce965&itok=LHtqmcUQ)
Jane E. Sitter Jane E. Sitter
- Doctoral Student, HE
- she, her, hers
- sitt0036@umn.edu
I am interested in higher education as an environment for personal, social, and civic development within our globally interconnected world. My area of research interest is internationalization at home on university campuses.
![Jane E. Sitter](/sites/olpd/files/styles/x_small_portrait/public/2023-10/Jane%20E.%20Sitter.jpg?h=55541bb6&itok=qXrtxqBh)
Jessica K. Trad Jessica K. Trad
- Doctoral Student, Higher Education
- she/her
- trad0012@umn.edu
Jessica Trad is a doctoral student in the Higher Education program at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities' Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development.
![](/sites/olpd/files/styles/x_small_portrait/public/2024-10/Jess%20ISU%20Grad-22.jpg?h=d73728dc&itok=9bJ0Srrj)
Zer Vang Zer Vang
- Doctoral Student, HE
- she/her
- vang0655@umn.edu
I am a dedicated and passionate advocate and educator for students, particularly those who are underrepresented.
![Zer Vang](/sites/olpd/files/styles/x_small_portrait/public/2023-10/Zer%20Vang.jpg?h=55541bb6&itok=h37bVWm7)
Stefanie Wiesneski Stefanie Wiesneski
- Doctoral Candidate, HE
- she/her
- swiesnes@umn.edu
Stefanie Wiesneski is a doctoral student in the Higher Education program at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities' Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development.
![](/sites/olpd/files/styles/x_small_portrait/public/2025-01/Screenshot%202025-01-02%20101936.jpg?h=ae77c9d8&itok=pkyV0Xur)
Abby Wilfert Abby Wilfert
- Doctoral Candidate, HE
- she/her
- wilfe008@umn.edu
Abby Wilfert is a doctoral candidate in the Higher Education program at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities' Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development.
![](/sites/olpd/files/styles/x_small_portrait/public/2024-05/Abby%20Wilfert%20%281%29.jpg?h=eff60a81&itok=uXU-88LM)
Hnub Xiong Hnub Xiong
- Doctoral Student, HE
- she/her
- xion2765@umn.edu
Hnub Xiong is a doctoral student in Higher Education at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities' Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development.
Kevin Xiong Kevin Xiong
- Doctoral Student, HE
- He/Him
- xion0957@umn.edu
Kevin Xiong is a doctoral student in the Higher Education program at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities' Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development.
![](/sites/olpd/files/styles/x_small_portrait/public/2025-01/headshot.jpeg?h=0ddc5177&itok=AQyEYReF)