Terrell L. Strayhorn, Ph.D.
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Dr. Terrell Lamont Strayhorn is Assistant Professor of Higher Education and Special Assistant to the Provost at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. In addition, he serves as Adjunct Assistant Professor of Sociology in the Department of Sociology within the College of Arts & Sciences.
Dr. Strayhorn’s research agenda consists of two major streams of scholarly inquiry: (a) the social psychological impact of college on students and (b) the study of inequality in education based on race, gender, and social class. Specifically, much of his research focuses on the experiences of historically underrepresented groups in American society, with a particular emphasis on the condition of higher education for African Americans. He has conducted research on barriers to college access for underrepresented groups, influences of social contexts and institutional practices on college choice, labor market outcomes of college graduates, transitions from high school to college, and factors affecting student retention and subsequent persistence. Recent work protracts his agenda into post-baccalaureate (graduate) and international arenas. For instance, he is working with researchers to study the experiences of first-generation college students in the US and Portugal. Studying how patterns of inequality accumulate over time and cascade into long-term disparities that can have profound implications on one’s life and livelihood stimulates his intellectual curiosity.
Dr. Strayhorn’s work appears (or has been accepted for publication) in the most highly-regarded, peer-reviewed journals in the fields of education, student affairs, and higher education including, but not limited to: The Journal of Higher Education, Journal of College Student Development, NASPA Journal, Journal of College Student Retention, Journal of Excellence in College Teaching, and the NASAP Journal. To date, he has authored over 35 books, chapters, articles, reviews, and commissioned reports. He has presented more than 60 papers at international and national meetings, including several invited keynotes and panel discussions. External grants from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), American College Personnel Association (ACPA), and Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) have supported these studies.
Professor Strayhorn earned a bachelor's degree in religious studies and music from the University of Virginia, a master's degree (M.Ed.) in educational policy studies from the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia, and a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in higher education from Virginia Tech. He holds two graduate certificates in race and social policy and graduate teaching respectively. Given his content and methodological expertise, Dr. Strayhorn serves as a member of the editorial board for the Journal of College Student Development, College Student Affairs Journal, NASAP Journal and as a reviewer for The Review of Higher Education, Journal of College Student Retention, and The Journal of Higher Education to name a few. He serves on the advisory boards for several national research projects and institutes.
In recognition of his early career achievements, Dr. Strayhorn received the 2006 Emerging Scholar Award from the American College Personnel Association (ACPA), Benjamin L. Perry Professional Service Award from the National Association of Student Affairs Professionals (NASAP), and the Outstanding Junior Scholar Award from the Council on Ethnic Participation within the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE).
Contact Information
Terrell L. Strayhorn
Assistant Professor and
Special Assistant to the Provost
The University of Tennessee
Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling
1122 Volunteer Boulevard
A316 Claxton Complex
Knoxville, TN 37996
Phone: (865) 974-6457
Grad Asst.: (865) 974-0850
Fax: (865) 974-0135
E-Mail: strayhorn@utk.edu