Rashné R. Jehangir

Rashné R. Jehangir is a Professor and Robert Beck Chair of Ideas in Education at the University of Minnesota’s College of Education and Human Development (CEHD). She also serves as the Founding Director of the CEHD First Gen Institute. Her work bridges research and practice, rooted in her background in student affairs and TRIO programs. She holds a PhD in Higher Education from the University of Minnesota, an MA in Counseling and Student Personnel Psychology, and a BA in Psychology from Lawrence University.

Her research focuses on social justice, equity, and inclusion in higher education, particularly for first-generation, underrepresented, and working-class students. She employs emancipatory frameworks to challenge deficit narratives and deconstruct institutional barriers. Key areas include first-generation identities, curriculum/pedagogy reform, and systemic inequities in higher education.

Her publications span journals like Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice and Urban Education, emphasizing visual methodologies (e.g., photovoice) and intersectional analyses. She has presented widely at NASPA and other conferences, advocating for equitable policies and practices. Her book Higher Education and First-Generation Students (2010) is a seminal text in the field.

Jehangir’s work intersects with community engagement, policy advocacy, and teaching across undergraduate and graduate levels. She actively mentors students through participatory research and has been featured in media like Inside Higher Education and Minnesota Public Radio.