Thursday, 13 November 2025

EDPR StudentReceives Distinguished Research Award  

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Zaria J. Reed, a BA to PhD student in Educational Psychology and Research (EDPR), has  received the Distinguished Research in Progress Award at the Mid-South Educational Research Association (MSERA) 2025 Conference in New Orleans. 

Reed presented her manuscript, “Bridging Barriers and Building Identity: Understanding STEM Engagement Among Equity-Seeking Students Through an Ecological Lens.” The project examines how students from equity-seeking groups experience and engage with STEM, and how environments can better support their identity development and success. 

“Presenting at MSERA and receiving the Distinguished Research in Progress Award was an incredible honor,” Reed said. “As a first-time conference presenter, I left feeling both inspired and affirmed in my research journey. I’m deeply grateful for the mentorship of Dr. Eli Jones and the opportunity to represent the University of Memphis.” 

Jones, assistant professor in EDPR, shared his pride in Reed’s success. 

“Zaria is one of our extremely talented bachelor-to-PhD students. Since joining our program, Zaria has jumped into research head on, and her success in this project suggests that she has a bright future as a researcher,” Jones said. “This award is a recognition not only of her motivation and initiative in developing her research skills, but also of the high-quality research that our EDPR program encourages in its students. I am proud of her accomplishment and look forward to watching as she continues to develop into a skilled and highly competent researcher.” 

Reed’s recognition underscores the College of Education’s (COE) commitment to fostering research excellence and preparing scholars who advance educational practice and opportunity through innovation and discovery. EDPR is a program within COE’s Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Research (CEPR).