Devon L. Graves

Devon L. Graves is an Assistant Professor of Community College Leadership at North Carolina State University, specializing in addressing racial disparities in higher education, particularly within financial aid systems. He holds a Ph.D. from UCLA and has prior roles at California State University, Stanislaus, and the Foundation for California Community Colleges. His research focuses on systemic inequities impacting Students of Color, including procedural barriers in financial aid processes and critical race theory applications. He has served on the University of California Board of Regents and the California Student Aid Commission. Graves’ work appears in journals such as the Journal of Higher Education and Journal of Diversity in Higher Education. He is affiliated with the Belk Center and Community College ELPHD Faculty group.

Education:

• B.A., Cal Poly Pomona
• M.A. and Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Research interests emphasize equity in financial aid ecosystems, institutional racism, and policy reforms. His publications analyze verification processes, Hispanic-serving institutions, and behavioral interventions to improve student access. He has contributed to higher education governance through state-level appointments, advocating for marginalized student populations.

Labs/Teams: Active in the Belk Center and collaborates within the Department of Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development at NC State.