About
Dr. Melissa E. Abeyta is a higher education researcher. Her research focus revolves around using an anti-deficit lens that explores the experiences of formerly incarcerated students in higher education aimed to identify how administrators, faculty, and practitioners can academically and socially prepare these students in postsecondary education. Her research and assessment projects have included institutional needs assessments for disproportionately impacted students in community colleges. Dr. Abeyta was awarded the Ron Jacobs Outstanding Research Award for her dissertation, A Phenomenological Study of Formerly Incarcerated Latino Men in California Community Colleges. Her research has been recognized as a model of transformation and change. Dr. Abeyta is committed to serving traditionally underrepresented students in higher education through research and policy. She also serves as the inaugural chair for the NASPA Formerly Incarcerated Students & System Impacted Families Knowledge Community.
In addition to her research contributions, Dr. Abeyta is the founder and content creator for Instagram's @AcademicSoul, a creative outlet that was inspired by her cultura and the Women of Color in academia. She launched Academic Soul to microblog how she managed life as a working mom and commuting doctoral student. Since then she has launched products representative of cultura + academia. Academic Soul has grown and developed to where proceeds from merchandise goes towards scholarships for students in higher education.
Dr. Abeyta is a 3x San Diego State University alumnae earning an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, a M.A. in Postsecondary Educational Leadership specializing in Student Affairs, and B.A. in Communication and Chicana/o Studies. She is also a first generation transfer student who earned her A.A. degree from Southwestern College.
In addition to her research contributions, Dr. Abeyta is the founder and content creator for Instagram's @AcademicSoul, a creative outlet that was inspired by her cultura and the Women of Color in academia. She launched Academic Soul to microblog how she managed life as a working mom and commuting doctoral student. Since then she has launched products representative of cultura + academia. Academic Soul has grown and developed to where proceeds from merchandise goes towards scholarships for students in higher education.
Dr. Abeyta is a 3x San Diego State University alumnae earning an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, a M.A. in Postsecondary Educational Leadership specializing in Student Affairs, and B.A. in Communication and Chicana/o Studies. She is also a first generation transfer student who earned her A.A. degree from Southwestern College.