Doctoral Candidate Xiaogang Liu Named 2026 David L. Clark Scholar

The College of Human Development, Culture and Media is celebrating a significant national milestone as doctoral candidate Xiaogang "Andre" Liu has been selected as a scholar for the 2026 David L. Clark National Graduate Student Research Seminar.

The Clark Seminar is widely recognized as one of the most elite programs by the leading professional and research organizations in the field of educational administration and policy, including the University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA). It identifies emerging researchers nationwide who demonstrate the potential to become influential scholars, providing them with intensive mentorship and peer review at the critical dissertation stage.

A Recognition of Scholarly Maturity

For Liu, who is a student in the Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership, Management and Policy program, the selection is a moment of both personal and professional validation. "Earning a spot as a scholar for the 2026 David L. Clark National Graduate Student Research Seminar is both humbling and affirming,” he said. “It is an important recognition at this stage of my doctoral journey. My research interests and the progress I have made have not only received recognition from my mentor, Dr. Chen, but also from researchers and practitioners beyond Seton Hall."

He states that his mentor, Rong Chen, Ph.D., acting department chair and professor in the Department of Education Leadership, Management and Policy (ELMP), nominated him with full confidence, noting his unique interdisciplinary background that combines computer science, public administration and nearly a decade of institutional research experience.

"Through his coursework with me and our early mentoring interactions, he has demonstrated exceptional scholarly maturity, a strong willingness to take on challenging and policy-relevant research, methodological rigor and deep intellectual curiosity, qualities that distinguish him among the many doctoral students I have mentored," Chen remarked.

Researching Equity in Higher Education

Liu’s research addresses the complex landscape of state higher education policy, specifically focusing on how public funds can be utilized to foster student success.

Regarding the significance of his work, Liu explained: "Across the country, states provide financial aid to students with financial need and some also allocate equity-based funding to institutions in an effort to promote educational opportunity for students from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds. My project examines this policy landscape and asks how state decisions and institutional practices can work together to promote student success.”

Highlighting the technical rigor of Liu’s seminar program, Chen states that the topic applies advanced quantitative methods, including institution- and year-fixed effects models and interaction effect analyses, to demonstrate how aid effectiveness varies depending on institutional and policy contexts.
“This research not only addresses a major gap in the policy literature but also offers meaningful insights into educational equity and student success" she adds.

The Impact of Mentorship and Collaboration

Liu credits much of his success to the supportive environment at Seton Hall and the specific guidance of Chen, who introduced him to the datasets central to his dissertation.

"Dr. Chen, my mentor, has generously shared resources and guidance with me since my first class with her. She remembered my research interests and introduced me to the foundational dataset that later became central to my dissertation work," he says.

As Liu prepares for the seminar, he looks forward to the professional development and networking opportunities the program provides. Chen believes his selection will have a lasting impact on the university:

Andre’s selection as a Clark Scholar positively impacts the Higher Education, Research and Development (HRED) program by reinforcing the program’s strong culture of scholarly excellence, methodological rigor and policy-relevant research. As one of the program’s strongest quantitative researchers and a great teaching assistant for an advanced statistics course, Andre serves as a role model for other doctoral students.

The Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership, Management and Policy offers a 45-credit, cohort-based curriculum designed for experienced education professionals. Students gain a comprehensive understanding of higher education and the tools to lead effectively in today’s complex environment. Visit the program for more information.

Categories: Nation and World