Gresham Donald Collom

Dr. Gresham Donald Collom (he/him) serves as an Assistant Professor of Higher Education at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development. His work bridges critical policy analysis with practical applications to address systemic inequality in educational systems.

• Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (Certificate in Evaluation, Statistics, and Measurement), University of Tennessee
• M.S. in Education in Higher Education Leadership, University of Wisconsin–Whitewater
• B.A. in Criminal Justice, University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire

Dr. Collom’s research focuses on Tribal/Indigenous Nation education policy, higher education finance and governance, and critical approaches to policy analysis. His work prioritizes community engagement, equity, and dismantling structural barriers in education systems.

His publications examine free college programs like Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Reconnect, analyzing their impacts on enrollment, retention, and equity for marginalized populations. These studies span educational policy, finance, and critical equity frameworks.

No scientific awards or honors were explicitly mentioned in the provided text.

Dr. Collom’s advocacy for first-generation and underrepresented students is rooted in his own background as a first-generation college student and first-descendant of Wisconsin’s Stockbridge Munsee Mohican Tribe.

Contact: gcollom@umn.edu