2025 AAHHE & ETS Outstanding Dissertation Competition (ODC)
Kurt M. Landgraf Outstanding Dissertation Award Recipients

Co-sponsored by
AAHHE and ETS share a vision of the future of Hispanics in higher education and a commitment to actions that can help them get there. Join us as we honor and congratulate this year's winners!

Kurt M. Landgraf Outstanding Dissertation Award, First Place Winner

 

Maria Javiera De los Rios Escobar, PhD
Supervisor
Superintendencia de Educacion Superior de Chile

Title of Dissertation: Understanding Persistence through University Climate Assessment: First-year Students’ Experiences at Chilean Universities and their Plans of Re-enrolling For The Next Academic Term
Degree Discipline: Higher Education
Degree Granting Institution: The Pennsylvania State University

Please see Dr. De los Rios Escobar's bio here.

Kurt M. Landgraf Outstanding Dissertation Award, Second Place Winner

Edwin Jose Perez, PhD
Postdoctoral Scholar
The University of Texas El Paso

Title of Dissertation: The Life Cycle of STEMM Intervention Programs: From Adoption to Institutionalization
Degree Discipline: Education
Degree Granting Institution: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Please see Dr. Perez's bio here.

Kurt M. Landgraf Outstanding Dissertation Award, Third Place Winner

Yvette Regalado, PhD
Assistant Professor of Literacy Instruction
University of Texas at San Antonio

Title of Dissertation: Pedagogy del Corazón: Investigating Cultural and Community Practices Embedded in IRW Courses Using the Methodology of Counterstory
Degree Discipline: Curriculum and Instruction
Degree Granting Institution: Texas State University

Please see Dr. Regalado's bio here.

For award recipients from other years from 2024 to 2008, please click here.