A higher education scholar-practitioner committed to advancing equity, access, and student success. With experience in academic operations, teaching, and research, I bring integrity, innovation, and purpose to strengthening institutions and empowering students to thrive.
About
Dr. Mariana McKoy is a higher education scholar-practitioner committed to equity, access, and student-centered success. She currently serves as the Academic Operations Manager for Graduate Online Programs at Abilene Christian University, where she leads process improvements, cross-departmental collaboration, and operational strategy. In addition, she is an adjunct instructor at North Carolina Central University, teaching First-Year Seminar courses that encourage students to explore identity, perspective, and academic inquiry.With a strong foundation in student services, academic affairs, and teaching, Dr. McKoy integrates administrative expertise with a growing research agenda focused on first-generation student retention, equity in online education, and institutional policy. Her doctoral research on first-generation student success laid the groundwork for her ongoing scholarship, where she examines how policy shifts and institutional practices shape student pathways and outcomes.Before transitioning into her current leadership and teaching roles, Dr. McKoy gained experience in student services and access work, including student conduct case management at North Carolina Central University and admissions reading for various universities such as the University of Virginia and North Carolina State University (international reading for the upcoming year). This work further extends her commitment to equity and access in higher education, particularly in supporting diverse and global student pathways.Beyond her professional roles, Dr. McKoy is passionate about mentoring and reimagining what higher education can be, particularly for Black women and underrepresented communities. Whether facilitating workshops, mentoring students, or engaging with equity-driven scholarship, she approaches each endeavor with integrity, innovation, and purpose. Her work reflects a deep belief in creating transformative spaces where learners and leaders alike can thrive.
Professional Affiliations
AACRAO – American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers
ACPA – American College Personnel Association
ACUI – Association of College Unions International
CRSEA – Critical Race Studies in Education Association
NAACP – National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
NASPA – National Association of Student Personnel Administrators
Education
Doctor of Education, Higher Education Administration – University of Southern Mississippi
Master of Science, Higher Education Administration – North Carolina Central University
Bachelor of Art, Psychology – University of North Carolina Greensboro
Publications
McKoy, M. (2024). Navigating Academic Success: Insights from Advisors on the Retention of First-Generation College Students. Doctoral Capstone. University of Southern Mississippi. [Zenodo]. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15346181
Engagement
ACUI: Closing the Gap for BIPOC Professionals
Participant | June 2025Level Up: Strategies to Get Promoted & Thrive as a Black and Brown Professional
Panelist | May 2025A Hidden Divide: African American Women in Higher Education Administration
Panelist | March 2025