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College of Social Science announces 2025 Dean’s Institutional Access Small Grant Program winners

August 25, 2025 - Emily Jodway Patyna

The College of Social Science is pleased to announce the 2025 winners of its Institutional Access Small Grants Program. The Dean’s Institutional Access Small Grant Program is a competitive small grants program which provides funding for social science innovation and scholarship that engages thoughtfully with, and advances the College's mission of inclusive excellence.

The awards were reviewed via committee based on numerous factors including Quality and Technical Merit, Impact of the Work, Capabilities, Demonstrated Productivity, and Experience of Applicants and Budget. Up to five awards of $5000 each are given in each category of consideration (Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students).  

Applicants for the award were asked to submit a proposal outlining how they would use the grant to advance Institutional Access in innovative and creative ways in the college and across the university.  

The award recipients for 2025 are listed below:  

Faculty 

  • Dr. Brandy Ellison, Dr. Ken Horne, Susan Richter, Justin St. Charles, and Kay Stevens
    Title: Clearing Student Holds Through Retention Grants: Some College, No Degree

  • Dr. Eddie Boucher
    Title: Supporting Education Abroad for Underrepresented Students

  • Dr. Joseph Hamm, Dr. William Chopik, Dr. Karen Holt, and Dr. Deborah Johnson
    Title: Navigating the Tenure Stream: A Collaborative Research and Professional Development Effort Centering Trust, Relationships, and Vulnerability

Graduate Students 

  • Jax Kynn (School of Social Work)
    Advisor: Dr. Heather McCauley
    Title: Exploring the Applicability of Institutional Betrayal Theory to the Experiences of LGBTQ+ Youth

  • Hyunseo Park (Geography)
    Advisor: Dr. Sue Grady
    Title: Pandemic-Driven Migration Effects in San Francisco: Impacts on Older Adults

  • Kelsey Osborne-Garth (Political Science)
    Advisor: Dr. Nazita Lajevardi
    Title: The Link Between Confederate Memorial Removal and the Voting Behavior of Black Voters

The College of Social Science Institutional Access Small Grants Program awards winners annually each spring. You can learn more about the Institutional Access Smalls Grants Program here.