Welcome to my featured publications page, where I showcase my contributions to the fields of higher education research and policy. My work focuses on equity in education, active learning strategies, and improving outcomes for adult learners and underrepresented populations. Below, you’ll find featured publications that highlight key aspects of my research, followed by a comprehensive list of my academic and professional works.

Suppressing Racial Diversity for Prestige? The Conflicting Imperatives of US Public Master’s Institutions
DeMonbrun, M., Warshaw, J. B., & McNaughtan, J.
Studies in Higher Education
This paper examines how public master’s institutions balance the competing goals of increasing racial diversity while striving for institutional prestige. Findings reveal systemic challenges and strategies for advancing equity in higher education.

Instructor Strategies to Reduce Student Resistance to Active Learning: A Systematic Literature Review
Nguyen, K. A., Borrego, M., Finelli, C., DeMonbrun, M., Crockett, C., & Tharayil, S.
International Journal of STEM Education
A systematic review identifying evidence-based instructional strategies that minimize student resistance to active learning in STEM classrooms, offering practical recommendations for educators.

Enrollment Patterns and Students’ Risk of Academic Difficulty
DeMonbrun, M., Brown, M., & Teasley, S.
Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education
Explores how enrollment patterns impact academic success, providing actionable insights for advisors and policymakers to support at-risk students.

Negative Student Response to Active Learning in STEM Classrooms: A Systematic Review of Underlying Reasons
Shekhar, P., Borrego, M., Crockett, C., DeMonbrun, M., Finelli, C., & Nguyen, K.
Journal of College Science Teaching
Identifies common barriers to student engagement in active learning settings, focusing on the perceptions and behaviors that hinder learning outcomes.

A Field of Striving or Equity? Regional Public Universities and College Access
Warshaw, J. B., McNaughtan, J., & DeMonbrun, M.
New Directions in Higher Education
Investigates how regional public universities navigate the tension between striving for prestige and maintaining equitable access for underserved student populations.