FOCUS
Mark’s research interests concern underrepresented racial minority graduate student experiences and policies that foster their community, belonging, and wellbeing. Graduate education often prioritizes hyper-competition, individualism, and perfectionism over the wellbeing of its students. The resulting landscape is rife with isolation, exploitation, and deteriorating wellbeing. This is especially true for underrepresented graduate students, who experience racialized and compounded disparities in attrition rates, graduate-level achievements, and health outcomes. Mark’s work aims to challenge systemic and institutionally discriminatory policies that uphold this status quo. In doing so, Mark plans to reorient graduate education toward an anti-deficit, inclusive, and equitable environment. By researching and implementing policies that specifically foster community and belonging, Mark aims to make graduate education a more accessible, achievable, and healthy venture for everyone.
MORE ABOUT MARK
Hailing from Milwaukee, Mark witnessed racial and socioeconomic disparities early in life. His academic journey in political science and public affairs illuminated similar injustices within higher education. Mark, a Hispanic and first-generation student himself, is committed to helping minoritized students achieve success and wellbeing.
