Dr. Kevin Cokley Named One of Top “Under 40” Scholars January 17, 2008

Dr. Kevin Cokley

Diverse: Issues in Higher Education has named Dr. Kevin Cokley one of “10 Rising Stars of the Academy,” an honor bestowed on exceptional U.S. scholars under 40 years of age who have made significant contributions to higher education in teaching, service and research.Educational background, publishing record and competitiveness and uniqueness of field of study also are considered in selecting the winners.

Cokley is an associate professor in the College of Education’s Department of Educational Psychology at The University of Texas at Austin. According to Cokley, a theme that emerges in much of his research is the understanding of psychological and environmental factors that affect African American student achievement. His scholarly work hasled him to challenge the notion that African American students are anti-intellectual and to critically re-examine the impact of racial and ethnic identity and gender on academic achievement.

"No role in higher education is more important than that of the faculty,” says Frank L. Matthews, publisher of Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. “These dedicated professionals serve as role models for their students as well as conducting first-rate research about the critical issues that confront mankind. These emerging scholars represent the culmination of a lot of personal sacrifice and effort."

Diverse first published its list of up-and-coming young scholars in 2002 in what has become one of its most popular editions. The magazine covers news and information that under-represented groups in higher education.

To see all winning scholars’ profiles, please visit the Diverse: Issues in Higher Education Website.

—Kay Randall, University Communications, 512-232-3910