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Jesse L. Lewis and Lisa S. Kaler
Jesse is a PhD student in Higher Education. His research interests include diversity efforts for undergraduates within the STEM disciplines, and how institutions support those efforts. When not in school Jesse enjoys cooking.
Lisa is a PhD candidate in Higher Education. Her research interests include college student mental health and suicide among college students. She employs a critical perspective to attempt to understand how the institution of higher education contributes to suicidal experiences among college students. When she is not at school, Lisa enjoys spending time with her family and her two Spanish Water Dogs.
Heidi Barajas
Heidi Barajas has held several leadership roles at the University including founding chair of the Department of Postsecondary Teaching and Learning; Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs, and Diversity, and Equity in CEHD; Executive Director of the Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center (UROC); and most recently as chair of OLPD. She joined the University of Minnesota faculty in 2000. Her research, teaching, and public service center on issues related to access and equity in educational institutions that support students across differences of race, gender, and class.
Alex Evenson
Alex manages communications for OLPD and #Thrive OLPD initiative. Informed by his own experiences as a graduate student and college English professor, he views graduate student mental health as an area of critical concern in higher education.