Two doctoral students from Seton Hall University’s College of Human Development, Culture, and Media have been selected for the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE) Fellowship. Timothy Awojobi and Amanda Simo received this recognition for their dedication to advancing equity, access, and innovation in higher education.
Timothy Awojobi is a United States Air Force veteran and a Ph.D. candidate in Higher Education Leadership, Management, and Policy at Seton Hall. He described the OSHE Fellowship as a significant milestone in his academic journey. “Receiving the OSHE Fellowship has been both personally meaningful and professionally transformative,” said Awojobi. “On a personal level, it affirms my commitment to serving the student veteran community and strengthens my motivation to continue navigating the rigors of doctoral study.”
Awojobi added that the fellowship offers opportunities to contribute directly to state-level initiatives affecting many students in New Jersey. His research focuses on challenges faced by student veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in higher education—a topic influenced by his own experiences as a veteran transitioning into academia. The fellowship enables him to participate in policy work at the state level while providing resources that will inform both his dissertation and broader policy recommendations.
“Overall, my goal is to create pathways that ensure veterans have the tools and resources needed to thrive academically and personally,” he said. “The program facilitates direct engagement with leaders and policymakers. That means a lot to me.” He believes his research can help shape more equitable policies for student veterans.
Amanda Simo is also pursuing her Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership, Management, and Policy at Seton Hall University. She sees the fellowship as an important chance to promote equity for students with disabilities through informed research.
“I am excited to learn from such an impactful leading organization that is committed to improving equity, access and affordability in our higher education system for the betterment of society. I feel fortunate to become a part of the OSHE team under Dr. Brian K. Bridges’s leadership,” said Simo.
Simo’s interest stems from her experience as a parent of a post-secondary student with a disability who recently began college studies. She explained how this personal connection led her to examine how academic research can influence policymaking related to social issues affecting underrepresented groups.
“I found myself concerned about the challenges and barriers faced by this underrepresented student group. My coursework in the Higher Education program has deepened my interest in examining the role that academic research plays in the policy-making process that addresses societal issues,” she added.
Through her fellowship experience, Simo aims to expand her understanding of policy development, compliance requirements, data analysis methods, evaluations, and other aspects central to inclusive practices within higher education institutions.
“This includes state-level higher education policies, compliance, research and data analysis, evaluations and initiatives to name a few,” she added.
Both fellows credited their achievements partly to support received through Seton Hall University’s doctoral program environment—including faculty mentorships like those provided by Dr. Rong Chen—and highlighted opportunities available through networking events or conference participation facilitated by university staff.
“I’m grateful to the brilliant College faculty, administration and staff, especially Dr. Rong Chen, who introduced my colleague and me to the OSHE Fellowship,” said Simo. “In addition to her commitment to our education, she makes an effort to connect us with guest speakers, research conferences, and networking events that have been incredibly helpful.” She noted continued learning from colleagues within her cohort as another benefit.
Awojobi also emphasized how guidance from faculty helped him pursue specialized topics such as mental health among veterans while encouraging active involvement with educational policymakers: “The Seton Hall Ph.D. program has equipped me with the knowledge, mentorship, and professional development needed to advance in my field,” he said. “These experiences demonstrate how the Ph.D. program fosters direct engagement with leaders and policymakers while preparing graduates to lead and make a lasting impact in higher education.”
