Mestenhauser Student Award

Nisma Elias is a graduate student pursuing a doctorate in Comparative and International Development Education in the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (OLPD) in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Nisma is the editor of a student-run, open access, peer reviewed journal in OLPD, “Reconsidering Development.” Nisma also co-founded the student organization Graduate League of OLPD (GLO), with the goal of bringing together graduate students, faculty, and staff to enhance the experiences of graduate students in OLPD. As a graduate assistant, Nisma teaches and coaches students in Student Academic Success Services, teaching academic skills classes and supporting students in navigating challenging academic situations. Nisma has also presented as part of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) for the course “Voices Around the World,” discussing the experience of studying, living, and working in six different cities across three continents.