The EdTrust Education Research Internship Program aims to train and build a diverse cohort of equity-minded data analysts and researchers to grow the field of higher education policy research. Current academic and professional training in education research has a limited focus on data analytics, data management, or cloud-based data systems. This limits the capacity of people and data we can use to inform policy making.
Our research interns contribute to the fulfillment of our mission of closing opportunity gaps that disproportionately affect students of color and students from low-income backgrounds by engaging in several key activities including: working on a collaborative data project, exploring available higher education research and evidence, networking amongst the EdTrust community, and participating in a convening or conference event.
Goals, Competencies and Activities
EdTrust is proud to support the Higher Education Research Internship Program, designed to cultivate the next generation of equity-minded analysts and researchers dedicated to centering students of color and low-income students in higher education policy research. Recognizing the gap in current academic and professional training, particularly in areas of data analytics and management, our program is a steppingstone towards building a diverse and equity focused policy researchers interested in data informed policymaking. Our interns are at the heart of this initiative, contributing to our core mission of closing opportunity gaps for students of color and those from low-income backgrounds. Through hands-on projects, exploration of current research, and active engagement within the EdTrust community and beyond, they are not just witnessing change — they are advancing it.
– Wil Del Pilar, Senior Vice President
Program Goals
- Increase awareness of higher education policy research, and best practices for data analytics in the field
- Elevate student voice in higher ed access, affordability, and accountability metrics.
- Provide skills training and continuing education
- Connect with a wide range of professionals and collaborators to learn about career opportunities in the field
Core Competencies
- Higher education research and data analytics
- Policy content area expertise
- Writing for policy and research audiences
Core Activities
- Work on a collaborative data project and publication
- Present research and data at a convening or conference
- Network with EdTrust experts and advocates
- Participate in community-based activities that focus on creating an inclusive research cohort
Blog
Real Support, Real Success: One Postsecondary Pathway Program That’s Working (Paulina Fraser)
Brief
Mapping Postsecondary Pathways: Understanding State Student College Enrollment Trends (Sabreyna Reese, Paulina Fraser)
Data Visualization
Access and Affordability at US Land-Grant Colleges and Universities (Brianna Huynh, Paulina Fraser, Durriya Ahmed)
Blog
Transforming Math Placement: Bridging P-12 Math Policy and College Success (Brianna Huynh)
Blog
Campus Racial Climates Amid Student Protests: Keeping Students of Color Safe (Durriya Ahmed)
Blog
The Great American Heist Comes for Science: How NSF Cuts Threaten Our R&D Future (Brianna Huynh)
Data Dashboard
MSI Debt-to-Earnings Dashboard (Olivia Gunther, Diana Torres, Brianna Wright, Gabriel Montague)
Blog
Why STEM Equity Must Address the Experiences of Women of Color (Brianna Wright and Olivia Gunter)
Data Tool
A Map of Anti-DEI Efforts on College Campuses Across the U.S. (Dylyn Turner-Keener, Mia Elliott)
Blog
Hate Crimes on College Campuses — How Policymakers and Accreditors Can Create a Safer Learning Environment for Students (Michael Grigsby)
Blog
Redefining Access and Support for Students of Color in the UC System (Mia Elliot, Dylyn Turner-Keener)
Blog
Why Queer Faculty Diversity Matters in Higher Education (Dylyn Turner-Keener, Jae Crawford)
Interning at EdTrust has been the most impactful internship of my career, significantly enhancing my research and data analysis skills, expanding my professional network, and deepening my interest in education.
– Mia Elliott, current research analyst at The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS)
I am relatively new to data analytics and the higher education research team helped me expand my skills, understanding, and confidence in quantitative research. In addition, many of our team discussions centered around equity, people, accessibility, and humanizing research.
– Brianna Wright, current Ph.D. student at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Meet the Interns
Higher education research interns support data management and analysis for the team’s data tools and deliverables with a primary focus on using publicly available data to create compelling narratives about the current state of access, accountability, affordability, and success for low-income students and students of color in postsecondary education.
Current Interns
Brianna Huynh returns to the team as this year’s Nichols Fellow. She is pursuing an MS in Mathematics with an emphasis in Mathematics Education at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Brianna began her higher education journey at American River College and went on to earn her BA in Mathematics from Pomona College. She has experience as a Data & Systems Intern for APIA Scholars and as a Fellow for the Campaign for College Opportunity, where she supported advocacy efforts to strengthen California’s postsecondary math pathways and community college transfer policies. Brianna is also a published researcher, with work focused on faculty grading practices and college students’ relationships with mathematics.
Khalab Blagburn is a junior at Pomona College double majoring in Cognitive Science and Statistics. He has conducted research at the University of Maryland and Yale University, focusing on child development, cognition, and learning. Khalab is passionate about using mixed-methods research to advance educational equity and improve student outcomes, particularly for underserved populations.
Noppakan Sirikul recently completed her Master’s in Applied Statistics at CSU Long Beach and earned her Bachelor’s in Applied Mathematics from UC Davis. Her higher education research began in graduate school, where she served as a Data Fellow in the Institutional Research and Analytics Department, developing statistical and machine learning models to analyze master’s student success. She is eager to apply her analytical skills to explore how academic, financial, and social factors shape student success and equity outcomes, while deepening her knowledge of higher education policy.
Tihirah Ruffin is a Ph.D. student in the Higher Education Leadership program at Colorado State University. She earned a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Michigan and an M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from Vanderbilt University. Her professional experience spans across public universities, private colleges, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities, with expertise in student affairs, enrollment management, and career services. Her research interest focuses on the experiences of underrepresented, low-income, and first-generation students, with particular attention to college access and postsecondary transitions.
Tionna Ellis is a fourth-year student at the University of Virginia, double majoring in Economics and Education: Youth & Social Innovation. As a first-generation college student, she brings both a personal and analytical lens to issues of access and equity in education. Tionna previously served as a Research and Evaluation Intern at a college access nonprofit, where she supported data-driven initiatives to expand postsecondary opportunities for underrepresented students.
EdTrust’s Higher Education Research Internship Program is possible thanks to the support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Ichigo Foundation.
View Past Interns
2024 Interns
Paulina Fraser (Nichols Fellow)
Paulina Fraser was our 2024-25 Nichols Fellow and is continuing as a higher education consultant. She’s led projects on basic needs and SNAP, postsecondary pathways, universal FAFSA policies, and land-grant institutions. She earned her Ph.D. in educational studies from the University of Michigan. Before coming to EdTrust, Paulina was a program manager at University of Michigan’s School of Education research center, where she coordinated projects supporting schools and communities across Detroit. Born and raised in California, she earned her master of education from San Francisco State University and is passionate about promoting education equity and advocating for Black, Brown, and Indigenous students.
Brianna Huynh
Brianna Huynh is pursuing a Master of Science in Mathematics with an emphasis in mathematics education at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. She started her higher ed journey at American River College, finishing her bachelor’s in math from Pomona College. She has worked as a data & systems intern for APIA Scholars, where she managed data consolidation and analysis projects. Brianna is also a published researcher, with work focused on faculty grading practices.
Nitin Singh
Nitin Singh is a data engineer currently pursuing his Master of science in computer science at the Illinois Institute of Technology. He brings expertise in building and optimizing data pipelines and cloud technologies. Nitin has worked on several advanced engineering projects, including automating data processes and integrating machine learning models for organizations who focus on social impact.
Da’Ja’Nay Askew
Da’Ja’Nay Askew, MSEd, is a dedicated scholar and Ph.D. candidate in higher education and student affairs at Indiana University, where she also holds minors in human development and certificates in quantitative and qualitative research and institutional research. Her dissertation research examines the impact of faculty relations on Black students’ sense of belonging at private liberal arts institutions utilizing critical quantitative methods. Da’Ja’Nay brings over a decade of experience in teaching, program development, and consulting focusing on equitable practices, anti-racist pedagogy, and social justice. She has taught and mentored students across all educational levels, developing culturally engaging curricula and fostering inclusive learning environments. An emerging leader in educational equity, she has presented her research and facilitated workshops at national and international conferences, aiming to transform higher education through data-driven insights and community-based approaches.
Durriya Ahmed
Durriya Ahmed is a higher education research intern alum and recent graduate from UCLA with degrees in history and geography with a minor in public affairs. Currently, Durriya is a youth organizer with Community Coalition, a board member on the California Cradle-to-Career Community Engagement Advisory Board, a researcher with Million Dollar Hoods, and youth justice fellow with the Social Justice Learning Institute. Durriya’s research interests include: youth organizing/advocacy, ethnic studies, campus racial climate, and school policing.
2023 Interns
Dylyn Turner-Keener graduated from Mills College in 2021 with a bachelor’s in PEPL (policy, economics, politics and law) with emphasis in politics and minor in urban education; and in 2022, she completed her master’s in public policy. She has worked with political figures such as state legislator Mia Bonta and was a fellow for EMILY’S List in 2022. Dylyn is further developing the Black Wellness Package, a Black DEI academic program that provides academic, mental, and emotional support frameworks and resources for Black-identifying college students using RIT (racial informed trauma), toward consulting and publishing.
Jae Crawford is a fall 2023 intern who supports ongoing and new research projects aimed at identifying problems and advancing conversations surrounding equity, access, and success for all college students. Jae is especially interested in supporting students from low-income families and families of color. Born in Memphis and raised in Orlando. Jae earned a BA in ethnic studies from Brown University with a focus on the lived experiences of Black women. She is currently pursuing a master’s of science in college student personnel at the University of Rhode Island (URI). In addition to her graduate studies, Jae works in URI’s Center for Student Leadership Development as the center’s graduate assistant, where she supports URI’s undergraduate leaders in and out of the classroom. Prior to joining EdTrust, Jae worked at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) where she assessed and evaluated RISD’s first-generation college student support programs.
Mia Elliott was a 2023-2024 higher education research intern at EdTrust. Mia earned a bachelor’s degree in public affairs and political science at the UCLA and is currently a research associate at The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS).
Omar Ibrahim is our 2023-24 Nichols Fellow who recently completed his master’s of science in Social Policy from the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice. Before joining EdTrust, Omar was a student success coach with InsideTrack, working with first-year students at HBCUs across the country. Omar has also been a part of LEDA’s Policy Corps, advocating for equity in education policy. Omar is an Egyptian born immigrant who was raised in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and holds a BA in leadership studies with a minor in rhetoric and communication from the University of Richmond.
2022 Interns
Sabreyna Reese was our 2022-23 Nichols Fellow who recently completed her master’s of education in higher education administration at Vanderbilt University and began her full-time role as a research compliance program coordinator at Vanderbilt University. Before joining The EdTrust, Sabreyna worked at the Tennessee Higher Education Commission as the fiscal policy summer graduate assistant. From Kansas City, Missouri, Sabreyna holds a BS in psychology with a minor in child and family development from the University of Central Missouri.
Gabriel Montague was our first inaugural Nichols fellow and is a former research analyst at EdTrust. A North Carolina native, Gabriel earned his BS. in Statistics from North Carolina State University, and holds a master’s degree in Education Policy and Analysis from Harvard University.
Olivia Gunther is an EdTrust intern alum and graduate of the MPP program at the Harris School of Public Policy – University of Chicago. At Harris, she completed certificates in data analytics and policy analysis. Olivia is passionate about using research to advance equity and justice for students in the higher education space. Olivia holds a BA from the University of Michigan in gender & health (women’s studies) and political science and has professional experience in admissions and politics on both state and federal levels. She currently works as a program associate at the Burning Glass Institute, where she sits at the intersection of learning and workforce research and on-the-ground community activations for the future of work and workers.
Brianna Wright is a higher education research intern alum and Ph.D. candidate in the higher education and organizational change program at UCLA. Her current research centers on how women of color use assets such as funds of knowledge and community cultural wealth to persist in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Brianna received a master’s degree in higher education and organization change from UCLA and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics education from BYU. Currently, Brianna serves as the project manager for Latinas in STEM, part of the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center’s Latina Futures 2050 Lab initiative. In addition, Brianna has led an evaluation of a calculus program at a local community college the last three years, examining student supports in calculus, belonging, and the success of Latine students at an HSI community college.
Diana Torres is an intern alum and Ph.D. candidate at UCLA. Originally from Riverside, California, she earned her bachelor’s degree in education and sociology from UC Riverside. Most recently, she served as a senior policy fellow at the UCLA Latino Policy & Politics Institute, where she led evaluation efforts for the Policy Fellows program. She also worked as a higher education fellow at EdTrust, contributing to the creation of CollegeResults.org and a data dashboard showcasing ROI at Minority-Serving Institutions. At UCLA, she has been a teaching assistant for courses in R, statistics, and undergraduate research methods. Diana’s research explores how students pay for college and how financial aid policies shape equity and economic mobility. She’s especially interested in college affordability, labor market outcomes, and expanding access to higher education for non-traditional and under-represented students. The proud daughter of Mexican immigrant parents, Diana’s work is driven by a personal commitment to expanding opportunity and advancing equity in higher education.
Shytance Wren is an intern alum and doctoral student studying international education policy at the University of Maryland. As a graduate research assistant she is currently working on a team project with the Gates Foundation examining college and university transformational practices that ensure success for Black, Latino, Indigenous, and low-income students. Shytance received a BS in psychology from the University of Michigan and an MA in student affairs administration with a specialization in international development from Michigan State University.
Naomi Beckley is an intern alum and a graduate of Yale University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in global affairs and a certificate in education studies. At Yale, she was involved with the Yale Undergraduate Prison Project. Naomi currently serves as an AP alumni council member for the College Board where she helps to inform AP policies through a student- and equity-centered lens. In this role, she has also engaged in policy advocacy on Capitol Hill, supporting the implementation of equitable education initiatives — including expanded funding for low-income students to access AP courses and the development of career-focused AP offerings that prepare students for professional pathways.
Michael Grigsby is an intern alum. Michael graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a major in public policy and a minor in education. As an intern, Michael worked on campus racial climate data, hate crimes data, university endowments, colleges costs, and other outcomes measures such as enrollment, retention and completion. Michael is now at the University of Southern California working towards a master of public policy and doctor of philosophy in education dual degree.
EdTrust’s Higher Education Research Internship Program is possible thanks to the support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Ichigo Foundation.