Ishara Casellas Connors
@isharacc.bsky.social
Afro-boricua 🇵🇷 Assistant Professor. Higher ed and public management research- HSIs, Afro-Latinx/é students, refugee students, and all things racial justice.
What a great day presenting ongoing work on refugee access to post secondary education and the APPAM equity and inclusion lunch @appam.bsky.social
November 15, 2025 at 3:16 AM
What a great day presenting ongoing work on refugee access to post secondary education and the APPAM equity and inclusion lunch @appam.bsky.social
Reposted by Ishara Casellas Connors
A big congratulations to this year's Equity & Inclusion Young Professional Fellows! Read more about this year's recipients before meeting them at #2025APPAM: https://ow.ly/zq0N50Xe4c5
October 17, 2025 at 3:35 PM
A big congratulations to this year's Equity & Inclusion Young Professional Fellows! Read more about this year's recipients before meeting them at #2025APPAM: https://ow.ly/zq0N50Xe4c5
Sharing findings from our ongoing research supported by @wtgrantfdn.bsky.social looking at refugees access to higher education at The Centre for Global Higher Education @ox.ac.uk
www.researchcghe.org/events/navig...
www.researchcghe.org/events/navig...
Navigating Barriers, Building Futures: Policy, Persistence, and Postsecondary Access for Displaced Learners | Centre for Global Higher Education
www.researchcghe.org
May 6, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Sharing findings from our ongoing research supported by @wtgrantfdn.bsky.social looking at refugees access to higher education at The Centre for Global Higher Education @ox.ac.uk
www.researchcghe.org/events/navig...
www.researchcghe.org/events/navig...
Great start to #IRSPM2025 with the early career panels hearing about some important work related to race and diversity!
April 7, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Great start to #IRSPM2025 with the early career panels hearing about some important work related to race and diversity!
Reposted by Ishara Casellas Connors
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said it is stopping review of green card applications for some refugees and asylees, leaving in limbo those who came to the U.S. after fleeing unrest.
thehill.com/homenews/521...
thehill.com/homenews/521...
thehill.com
March 25, 2025 at 8:30 PM
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said it is stopping review of green card applications for some refugees and asylees, leaving in limbo those who came to the U.S. after fleeing unrest.
thehill.com/homenews/521...
thehill.com/homenews/521...
More data to share on refugee and displaced persons experiences trying to access higher ed in the US. We need to share these stories of how folks activate and navigate. Free downloads!
www.tandfonline.com/eprint/TPJV9...
www.tandfonline.com/eprint/TPJV9...
Reframing Higher Education for Refugees: Pathways, Policies, and Community Cultural Wealth
Postsecondary education for refugees has gained traction, notably through the UN Refugee Agency’s “15 by 30” initiative aimed at achieving 15% refugee enrollment in postsecondary education by 2030....
www.tandfonline.com
March 25, 2025 at 12:04 PM
More data to share on refugee and displaced persons experiences trying to access higher ed in the US. We need to share these stories of how folks activate and navigate. Free downloads!
www.tandfonline.com/eprint/TPJV9...
www.tandfonline.com/eprint/TPJV9...
Reposted by Ishara Casellas Connors
News outlets are reporting that Trump will sign an Exec Order tmrw/Thurs pushing for the Dept of Ed to be closed. The draft order apparently argues that even though the department has spent $1 trillion in federal education dollars over 46 years, the U.S. has not improved in education. [thread]
March 20, 2025 at 1:14 AM
News outlets are reporting that Trump will sign an Exec Order tmrw/Thurs pushing for the Dept of Ed to be closed. The draft order apparently argues that even though the department has spent $1 trillion in federal education dollars over 46 years, the U.S. has not improved in education. [thread]
Don’t be fooled- it isn’t just Columbia. This is a huge blow to the University of Maine.
I'm appalled by the USDA's decision to pause funding to the University of Maine System.
This will hurt our farmers, halt critical research, and impact students throughout Maine.
Once again, our state is being targeted for retribution—all because our officials are standing up for the rule of law.
This will hurt our farmers, halt critical research, and impact students throughout Maine.
Once again, our state is being targeted for retribution—all because our officials are standing up for the rule of law.
USDA halts more than $100M in funding for University of Maine System programs
The move temporarily pauses USDA funding for Maine's university system after President Donald Trump threatened to cut off the state over Maine's decision to allow transgender athletes to compete in sp...
www.pressherald.com
March 11, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Don’t be fooled- it isn’t just Columbia. This is a huge blow to the University of Maine.
Reposted by Ishara Casellas Connors
Here, I explain how the February 14 "Dear Colleague" letter is a widely expansive distortion of the court’s ruling in SFFA. Institutional responses should remain focused on areas that the Supreme Court addressed and not expand to those clearly outside its purview.
www.chronicle.com/article/hitt...
www.chronicle.com/article/hitt...
Hitting Pause on the ‘Dear Colleague’ Letter
The Department of Education is overstepping its bounds and infringing on constitutional rights.
www.chronicle.com
February 18, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Here, I explain how the February 14 "Dear Colleague" letter is a widely expansive distortion of the court’s ruling in SFFA. Institutional responses should remain focused on areas that the Supreme Court addressed and not expand to those clearly outside its purview.
www.chronicle.com/article/hitt...
www.chronicle.com/article/hitt...
Reposted by Ishara Casellas Connors
It's time to start a thread on higher ed budget cuts announced due to actual and potential cuts to federal funding. Northwestern is placing additional scrutiny on all spending and trying to cut non-personnel spending by 10% this year.
February 13, 2025 at 7:15 PM
It's time to start a thread on higher ed budget cuts announced due to actual and potential cuts to federal funding. Northwestern is placing additional scrutiny on all spending and trying to cut non-personnel spending by 10% this year.
Despite the incredible challenges facing refugees and resettlement agencies I am forever grateful for what folks shared. We learned about how they build partnerships to foster the post secondary pathways so desired by displaced folks. Free for first 50 downloads.
academic.oup.com/jrs/article-...
academic.oup.com/jrs/article-...
February 15, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Despite the incredible challenges facing refugees and resettlement agencies I am forever grateful for what folks shared. We learned about how they build partnerships to foster the post secondary pathways so desired by displaced folks. Free for first 50 downloads.
academic.oup.com/jrs/article-...
academic.oup.com/jrs/article-...
Reposted by Ishara Casellas Connors
They're dismantling the Institute for Education Sciences to create the illusion of meritocracy. Because no data means no evidence of systemic inequities.
February 11, 2025 at 2:50 AM
They're dismantling the Institute for Education Sciences to create the illusion of meritocracy. Because no data means no evidence of systemic inequities.
Reposted by Ishara Casellas Connors
Events in Washington are (rightfully) getting a lot of attention, but keep an eye on what is going on in states. There are a bunch of bills seeking to restrict campus activities and even tenure.
GOP state lawmakers again targeting DEI and tenure
Even before Trump’s return, Republican legislators in some states were rolling back diversity, equity and inclusion programs. The campaign continues in current legislative sessions.
www.insidehighered.com
February 11, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Events in Washington are (rightfully) getting a lot of attention, but keep an eye on what is going on in states. There are a bunch of bills seeking to restrict campus activities and even tenure.
Reposted by Ishara Casellas Connors
Gotta tell you, it's not just the WWC contracts (I assume it'll hit the papers this week)
Hearing from a govt contractor that Dept of Education is terminating What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) contracts.
WWC is a website that rigorously evaluates education policies, programs, and products to determine what's effective and not. It's an invaluable tool for school, district, state leaders
WWC is a website that rigorously evaluates education policies, programs, and products to determine what's effective and not. It's an invaluable tool for school, district, state leaders
February 10, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Gotta tell you, it's not just the WWC contracts (I assume it'll hit the papers this week)
Reposted by Ishara Casellas Connors
Reposted by Ishara Casellas Connors
How many moms won't be able to show up for work tomorrow because he cut off the funding for the Head Start programs they rely on for childcare?
January 28, 2025 at 9:43 PM
How many moms won't be able to show up for work tomorrow because he cut off the funding for the Head Start programs they rely on for childcare?
Reposted by Ishara Casellas Connors
The best anti-poverty program is a world class education
Government should pick up more of the tab for education -- I don't even recall this being a major talking point in 2024
www.forbes.com/sites/edward...
Government should pick up more of the tab for education -- I don't even recall this being a major talking point in 2024
www.forbes.com/sites/edward...
Republican Proposal Would Make College Scholarships Taxable Income
Republican lawmakers are considering making college scholarships fully taxable to help pay for continuing tax cuts that mostly benefit wealthy families.
www.forbes.com
January 27, 2025 at 2:20 PM
The best anti-poverty program is a world class education
Government should pick up more of the tab for education -- I don't even recall this being a major talking point in 2024
www.forbes.com/sites/edward...
Government should pick up more of the tab for education -- I don't even recall this being a major talking point in 2024
www.forbes.com/sites/edward...
Excited to see this piece out. Building on other analysis, this work focuses on public institutions and how this might (we find that it isn’t) be connected to state political landscape.
@isharacc.bsky.social & Hailey Feik analyze statements by US public college/university presidents after the murder of George Floyd, finding that institutional context often outweighs state sociopolitical factors in shaping discourse around naming systemic racism www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
January 10, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Excited to see this piece out. Building on other analysis, this work focuses on public institutions and how this might (we find that it isn’t) be connected to state political landscape.
You know it is almost winter break….the review requests keep rolling in!
December 18, 2024 at 3:55 PM
You know it is almost winter break….the review requests keep rolling in!
Page proof time- Excited to see this out online soon!
December 9, 2024 at 10:15 PM
Page proof time- Excited to see this out online soon!
Reposted by Ishara Casellas Connors
I don't know if this is getting attention because ((waves arms)), but Michigan's Regents will consider defunding DEI tomorrow. Unlike the situation in Florida or Texas, this is under a board that is 6-2 Democrats.
December 5, 2024 at 1:45 AM
I don't know if this is getting attention because ((waves arms)), but Michigan's Regents will consider defunding DEI tomorrow. Unlike the situation in Florida or Texas, this is under a board that is 6-2 Democrats.
Reposted by Ishara Casellas Connors
I am writing a book chapter on qualitative methods in political science/public policy/public administration.
If you have authored recent papers using QM in these three disciplines, please send them to me! I’d like to read and potentially cite.
raul(.)pacheco(.)vega(@)flacso(.)mx
If you have authored recent papers using QM in these three disciplines, please send them to me! I’d like to read and potentially cite.
raul(.)pacheco(.)vega(@)flacso(.)mx
November 28, 2024 at 11:37 AM
I am writing a book chapter on qualitative methods in political science/public policy/public administration.
If you have authored recent papers using QM in these three disciplines, please send them to me! I’d like to read and potentially cite.
raul(.)pacheco(.)vega(@)flacso(.)mx
If you have authored recent papers using QM in these three disciplines, please send them to me! I’d like to read and potentially cite.
raul(.)pacheco(.)vega(@)flacso(.)mx
Reposted by Ishara Casellas Connors
When people ask me why I don't care about my h-index, citations, etc., I point out that racism means that's a losing game. Cause this ain't just in economics.
www.nber.org/papers/w33150
www.nber.org/papers/w33150
November 26, 2024 at 9:38 PM
When people ask me why I don't care about my h-index, citations, etc., I point out that racism means that's a losing game. Cause this ain't just in economics.
www.nber.org/papers/w33150
www.nber.org/papers/w33150
That’s a wrap..#2024APPAM and #ASHE all in 5 days. Great to see folks, learn about some cool stuff, and share our work on eHSIs as well as refugees. Back to TX I go!
November 23, 2024 at 11:47 PM
That’s a wrap..#2024APPAM and #ASHE all in 5 days. Great to see folks, learn about some cool stuff, and share our work on eHSIs as well as refugees. Back to TX I go!
Early morning conference vibes
November 23, 2024 at 12:06 PM
Early morning conference vibes