He earned his Ph.D. in education leadership and policy studies at Oklahoma State University. His research interests include issues of diversity and inclusion in postsecondary education broadly with a focus on the impact of college on the development of various marginalized and/or underrepresented student groups in higher education (international students, college student athletes, students with disabilities, etc.). He has also designed and supported the implementation of various undergraduate courses in leadership and higher education/student affairs at both Northern Illinois University and Western Michigan University.