Seton Hall University Doctoral Candidate Receives Federal Grant

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. - Katherine C. Aquino, of Kenilworth, N.J., doctoral candidate in Seton Hall University’s College of Education and Human Services’ higher education leadership, management and policy program, received a $10,000 grant through Policy Research Inc. to study how to better improve the disability determination process for disability insurance programs funded through the Social Security Administration.

The one-year stipend, made possible through Policy Research Inc.’s Disability Determination Process Small Grant Program, is awarded to a limited number of graduate-level students to conduct supervised independent research on improving the disability determination process for the Social Security Administration’s two disability programs — Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance.

“I have always been interested in the socio-academic experiences of students with disabilities,” saidAquino. “Higher education literature often explores topics of student diversity and inclusion but, ironically, frequently leaves students with disabilities out of this idea of inclusion. I think that needs to change.”

Aquino will work towards that change by exploring the characteristics of post-secondary students who are recipients of the Social Security Administration’s disability programs as well as the traits of institutions enrolling students with disabilities. “If we can investigate trends related to this student population, perhaps there can be an increased opportunity for advocacy and initiatives for students with disabilities in the future,” she said. “I am passionate about better exploring their post-secondary journey and hope to dedicate my career to researching their experiences.”

She credits the higher education leadership, management and policy program’s faculty, especially her mentor for this project and her dissertation adviser Associate Professor Eunyoung Kim, for the opportunity. “During my first semester in the program I had Dr. Kim for a class and instantaneously had a great relationship with her,” she said. “When Dr. Kim was made aware of this grant opportunity, she encouraged and challenged me to apply.”

“I am very delighted to see Katherine win this very competitive research grant and I am also very excited to work with her as a faculty mentor to help her successfully complete her research project,” said Professor Kim. “I believe that her research will make an important contribution to the area of college opportunities and college success by raising the visibility of students with disability, who have been overlooked and ‘invisible.’ ”

“One of the best parts about being a part of the College of Education and Human Services is the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with faculty on research projects” said Aquino. “I have attended conferences, submitted to publications and worked on projects inside and outside of the classroom with many department faculty, including Martin Finkelstein, Eunyoung Kim and Carolyn Sattin-Bajaj.”

As part of the grant, Aquino will participate in teleconferences with other grant recipients, mentors, Policy Research Inc. and the Social Security Administration and submit a 10 to 15 page research project that will improve the efficiency and reduce the complexity of the disability determination process.

For more information about the College of Education and Human Services and the Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership, Management and Policy program, please visit www.shu.edu/academics/education.

ABOUT SETON HALL UNIVERSITY

One of the country’s leading Catholic universities, Seton Hall University has been developing students in mind, heart and spirit since 1856. Home to nearly 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students and offering more than 90 rigorous academic programs, Seton Hall’s academic excellence has been singled out for distinction by The Princeton Review, U.S. News & World Report and Bloomberg Businessweek.

Seton Hall, which embraces students of all religions, prepares its graduates to be exemplary servant leaders and global citizens. In recent years, the University has experienced record-breaking undergraduate enrollment growth as well as nearly a 100-point increase in the average SAT scores of incoming freshmen. Since 2007, Seton Hall students and alumni have been awarded 18 Fulbright Scholarships as well as other prestigious academic honors including a Rhodes Scholar. A founding member of the new Big East Conference, the Seton Hall Pirates field 14 NCAA Division I varsity sports teams.

The University’s beautiful main campus is located in suburban South Orange, New Jersey, and is only 14 miles from New York City – offering its students a wealth of employment, internship, cultural and entertainment opportunities. The University’s nationally recognized School of Law is prominently located in downtown Newark.

For more information, visit www.shu.edu.