Join our Pullias faculty and researchers as they present their findings on a variety of equity in higher education topics at AERA 2026:
Performing Equity, Perpetuating Harm: Counternarratives of Black Staff on DEI and Anti-Blackness
Wed, April 8, 9:45 to 11:15am PDT, JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE, Floor: 2nd Floor, Platinum I
Session Type: Symposium
Author: Royel M. Johnson, University of Southern California, Alexia Oduro, University of Southern California, Marcus Maximus Martin, University of Southern California
The PASS Project: Reflections on a Decade of Research
Wed, April 8, 1:45 to 3:15pm PDT, JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE, Floor: 2nd Floor, Platinum H
Session Type: Symposium, Division J Vice Presidential Session
Authors: Ralitsa Todorova, University of Southern California, Zoë Corwin, University of Southern California, Rosemary J Perez, University of Michigan, Liane Hypolite, California State Polytechnic University Pomona, Joseph Kitchen, University of Southern California, Nick Bowman, University of Iowa, Amy Goodburn, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Meet the Editors - Journal Talks Session 1
Wed, April 8, 3:45 to 5:15pm PDT, Los Angeles Convention Center, Floor: Level One, Petree Hall C
Session Type: Journal Talks
Authors: Royel M. Johnson, University of Southern California
Low-Income College Students’ Academic Success: Exploring the Role of Spatial Differences in Precollege Communities
Thu, April 9, 7:45 to 9:15am PDT, JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE, Floor: 2nd Floor, Platinum G
Session Type: Paper Session
Authors: N Tennessen, University of Iowa, Joseph Kitchen, University of Southern California, Zoë Corwin, University of Southern California, Nicholas A. Bowman, University of Iowa
Words That Win or Wither: How Message Framing and Ideology Beliefs Shape Campus Support for Racial Equity
Thu, April 9, 9:45 to 11:15am PDT, JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE, Floor: 2nd Floor, Platinum H
Session Type: Paper Session
Authors: Royel M. Johnson, University of Southern California, Terrill O. Taylor, University of Maryland
Signals of Identity Safety: How Relational and Curricular Cues Shape Belonging for Graduate Students of Color
Thu, April 9, 2:15 to 3:45pm PDT, JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE, Floor: 2nd Floor, Platinum I
Session Type: Paper Session
Authors: Royel M. Johnson, University of Southern California, Mya Haynes, University of Southern California, Terrell Lamont Strayhorn, Virginia Union University
The Impact of Test-Optional Policies on the College Application Process and Academic Experiences Once Enrolled
Thu, April 9, 2:15pm to 3:45pm PDT, JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE, Floor: 2nd Floor, Platinum F
Session Type: Paper Session
Authors: Julie Posselt, University of Southern California
The Networks and Organizing Efforts of Far-Right Movements in California Schools
Thu, April 9, 4:15 to 5:45pm PDT, JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE, Floor: Ground Floor, Gold 2
Session Type: Roundtable Session
Authors: Michael Grigsby, University of Southern California, Huriya Jabbar, University of Southern California, Danfeng Soto-Vigil Koon, University of San Francisco, Tara Blagg, University of Southern California, Daniel Espinoza, University of Southern California, Cecelia Jordan, University of Texas at Austin
Conditions for Change: Organizational Accountability, Reform, and Commitment in Higher Ed
Fri, April 10, 7:45 to 9:15am PDT, JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE, Floor: 2nd Floor, Platinum H
Session Type: Paper Session
Authors: Steve Desir, University of Southern California
Relational Work and Racialized Recognition: Emotional Labor Among Men of Color Practitioners at Hispanic Serving Institutions
Fri, April 10, 9:45 to 11:15am PDT, JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE, Floor: Gold Level, Gold 1
Session Type: Roundtable Session
Authors: Adrian H. Huerta, University of Southern California, Nevan Bell, University of California - Santa Barbara
Words That Win or Wither: Framing Racial Equity Amid Ideological Resistance in Higher Education
Fri, April 10, 11:45am to 1:15pm PDT, Los Angeles Convention Center, Floor: Level Two, Room 408A
Session Type: AERA Presidential Session
Authors: Royel M. Johnson, University of Southern California, Terrill O. Taylor, University of Maryland
Virtual Counterspaces: How Latina Doctoral Students Leverage Social Media to Navigate Academia
Fri, April 10, 1:45 to 3:15pm PDT, Los Angeles Convention Center, Floor: Level Two, Room 304B
Session Type: Paper Session
Authors: Valerie A. Gomez, University of Southern California, Aide Hernandez, University of Illinois at Chicago, Jennifer Cabrera, University of California - Irvine
DEI, Democracy, and the Authoritarian Threat: Why Higher Education Must Resist
Fri, April 10, 3:45 to 5:15pm PDT, Los Angeles Convention Center, Floor: Level Two, Room 408A
Session Type: AERA Presidential Session
Authors: Royel M. Johnson, University of Southern California
Reimagining Access: The Community College Baccalaureate as a Pathway to Equity and Graduate School Aspirations
Sat, April 11, 11:45 to 1:15pm PDT, JW Marriott, Los Angeles L.A. LIVE, Floor: 2nd Floor, Platinum F
Session Type: Poster Session
Authors: Adrian H. Huerta, University of Southern California, Cecilia Rios-Aguilar, University of California - Los Angeles, Marcela G. Cuellar, University of California - Davis, Jessica Leila Carranza, University of Southern California, Michael Corvera, University of Southern California, Davis Vo, University of California - Los Angeles
Unpacking Discursive and Affective Functions of Whiteness to Construct a New Vision for Education Research
Sat, April 11, 1:45 to 3:15pm PDT, Los Angeles Convention Center, Floor: Level One, Exhibit Hall A - Stage 3
Session Type: Poster Session
Authors: Royel M. Johnson, University of Southern California, Marcus Maximus Martin, University of Southern California, Mya Haynes, University of Southern California, Alexia Oduro, University of Southern California
Promoting Career Self-Efficacy among Low-Income College Students: A Mixed Methods Examination
Sat, April 11, 3:45 to 5:15pm PDT, JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE, Floor: Gold Level, Gold 1
Session Type: Roundtable Session
Authors: Joseph Kitchen, University of Southern California, Shinji Katsumoto, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
Better Supporting Contingent, VITAL Faculty: Insights from Previous Delphi Award Winners
Sun, April 12, 7:45 to 9:15am PDT, JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE, Floor: 4th Floor, Diamond 2
Session Type: Paper Session
Authors: Adrianna Kezar, University of Southern California, KC Culver, University of Alabama
Using Recognition Theory to Explore the Narratives of System-Impacted Students Who Earned College Degrees
Sun, April 12, 7:45 to 9:15am PDT, Los Angeles Convention Center, Floor: Level One, Petree D
Session Type: Roundtable Session
Authors: Adrian H. Huerta, University of Southern California, Jessica Leila Carranza, University of Southern California, David Oscar Moore, University of Southern California
Racial Stress and Its Impact on Mattering and Affirmation Among Students of Color at PWIs
Sun, April 12, 9:45 to 11:15am PDT, JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE, Floor: Gold Level, Gold 3
Session Type: Roundtable Session
Authors: Michael Grigsby, University of Southern California, Saba Lily Modaressi
Importance of Relational Closeness in Career Development for Students from Low-income Backgrounds
Sun, April 12, 1:45 to 3:15pm PDT, JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE, Floor: Gold Level, Gold 1
Session Type: Roundtable Session
Authors: Joseph Kitchen, University of Southern California, Ronald Hallett, University of Southern California
“Learning to Learn Better”: Metacognitive Self-Appraisal and Self-Management among Undergraduate Students
Sun, April 12, 1:45 to 3:15pm PDT, JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE, Floor: Gold Level, Gold 1
Session Type: Roundtable Session
Authors: Ralitsa Todorova, University of Southern California
