H. Kenny Nienhusser

Associate Professor, Higher Education and Student Affairs

Educational Leadership

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Title:

Associate Professor, Higher Education and Student Affairs
Faculty Director, La Comunidad Intelectual Learning Community
Affiliate Faculty, El Instituto: Institute of Latina/o, Caribbean, and Latin American Studies

Academic Degrees:

EdD, Higher and Postsecondary Education, Teachers College, Columbia University
MSW, Social Work, Stony Brook University
BA, Economics, Stony Brook University

Areas of Focus:

Higher education policy
Undocu/DACAmented immigrants and students
Implementation of public/institutional policies affecting minoritized students’ college access and success
Minoritized students’ high school-to-college transition
Diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education

Biography:

H. Kenny Nienhusser is an Associate Professor of Higher Education & Student Affairs Program and Faculty Director of La Comunidad Intelectual, a learning community that nurtures students who identify as Latine and/or Caribbean or are interested in issues that affect those communities. He is also Affiliate Faculty in El Instituto: Institute of Latina/o, Caribbean, and Latin American Studies. Previously, Professor Nienhusser was Associate Professor in the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership in the College of Education, Nursing, and Health Professions at the University of Hartford.

As a first-generation Latine college student who grew up in a working-class household of immigrant parents who were formally undocumented, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of his work as a researcher, teacher, advisor, and scholar-citizen.

His research examines the postsecondary education access and success of minoritized youth in the United States. More specifically, he addresses two lines of inquiry that shape higher education opportunities for minoritized youth. The first line of scholarship includes a further understanding of the origins of public policies and their implementation environments that affect the postsecondary education access and success of minoritized youth. The second explores the experiences of minoritized youth as they navigate higher education access barriers (largely the consequence of discriminatory public policies and practices). Most of his scholarship has investigated the public policy landscape and experiences of undocumented immigrant youth including those with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status in relation to their postsecondary education access.

In his work, Dr. Nienhusser aims to help address social and educational inequities by reconceptualizing the manner in which we view the intersections of how education institutional agents grapple with contemporary issues and implementation in their daily practice and how these junctures shape the success of minoritized students. Specifically, he hopes his scholarship will help reframe how we understand areas such as equity, sense-making, imagination, creativity, and critical praxis of institutional agents’ and its impact on minoritized students’ higher education access and success.

Select Publications:

Felix, E. R., Nienhusser, H. K. (2024). Humanizing policy implementation in higher education through an equity-centered approach. Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research, 39, 593-648. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-32186-3_11-1

Cadenas, G. A., Nienhusser, H. K., Sosa, R., Moreno, O. (2024). Immigrant students’ mental health and intent to persist in college: The role of undocufriendly campus climate. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 30(1), 54–60. https://doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000564

Nienhusser., H. K., Cadenas, G. A., Sosa, R., & Moreno, O. (2023). UndocuCare: Strategies for mental health services that affirm undocumented college students’ psychological needs. New Directions for Higher Education, 2023(203), 93-108. https://doi.org/10.1002/he.20479

Ives, J. & Nienhusser, H. K. (2023). The influence of gender on women’s college-going behaviors in an urban school context. The High School Journal, 105(4), 247–272. https://doi.org/10.1353/hsj.2022.a899826

Moreno, O., Sosa, R., Hernandez, C., Nienhusser., H. K., & Cadenas, G. A. (2022). Immigration status, mental health, and intent to persist among immigrant college students. Journal of Diversity in Higher Education. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/dhe0000456

Cadenas, G. A., Nienhusser, H. K., Sosa, R., Moreno, O. (2022). Immigrant students’ mental health and intent to persist in college: The role of undocufriendly campus climate. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000564

Nienhusser, H. K., & Romandia, O. (2022). Undocumented college students’ psychosocial well-being: A systematic review. Current Opinion in Psychology, 47(October), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101412

Vega, B. E., Nienhusser, H. K., & Saavedra Carquin, M. C. (2022). “When I would hurt:” Undocumented students’ responses to obstacles faced during the college choice process. The Educational Forum, 86(3), 237-252. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131725.2021.2020944

Ecton, W. G., Bennett, C. T., Nienhusser, H. K., Castillo-Montoya, M., & Dougherty, S. (2021). If you fund them, will they come? Examining the role of a graduate fellowship in Ph.D. applications and enrollment. AERA Open, 7(1), 1-26. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F23328584211040485 

Nienhusser, H. K., & Connery, C. (2021). Examining the undocumented college student policy implementation environment through a contextual interaction theory lens. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, 43(4), 615-646. https://doi.org/10.3102/01623737211009240

De Jesus Gonzalez, Á., Burgos-López, L., Felix, E. R., & Nienhusser, H. K. (2021). Policy implementation as a tool for advancing equity in community colleges. Education Policy Analysis Archives, 29(25), 1-28. https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.29.6689

Cadenas, G. A., & Nienhusser, H. K. (2021). Immigration status and psychosocial well-being of college youth. Educational Researcher. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.3102%2F0013189X20962470

Nienhusser, H. K., & Oshio, T. (2020). Postsecondary education access (im)possibilities for undocu/DACAmented youth living with the potential elimination of DACA. Educational Studies, 56(4), 366–388. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131946.2020.1757448

Nienhusser, H. K., & Ives, J. (2020). Examining an urban district’s college-going culture: The role of magnet school designation. The Urban Review, 52(4), 730–758. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11256-020-00556-0

Nienhusser, H. K., & Oshio, T. (2019). Awakened hatred and heightened fears: “The Trump Effect” on the everyday lives of mixed-status families. Cultural Studies ↔ Critical Methodologies, 19(3), 173–183. https://doi.org/10.1177/1532708618817872

Nienhusser, H. K. (2018). Higher education institutional agents as policy implementers: The case of policies that affect undocumented and DACAmented students. The Review of Higher Education, 41(3), 423–453. https://doi.org/10.1353/rhe.2018.0014

Nienhusser, H. K., & Oshio, T. (2017). High school students’ accuracy in estimating cost of college: A proposed methodological approach and differences among racial/ethnic groups and college financial-related factors. Research in Higher Education, 58(7), 723–745. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11162-017-9447-1

Nienhusser, H. K., & Espino, M. M. (2017). Incorporating undocumented/DACAmented status competency into higher education institutional agents’ practice. Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, 54(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/19496591.2016.1194286

Nienhusser, H. K., Vega, B. E., & Saavedra Carquin, M. C. (2016). Undocumented students’ experiences with microaggressions during their college choice process. Teachers College Record, 118(2), 1–33. https://www.tcrecord.org/content.asp?contentid=18225

Nienhusser, H. K. (2015). Undocumented immigrants and higher education policy: The policymaking environment of New York State. The Review of Higher Education, 38(2), 271–303. https://doi.org/10.1353/rhe.2015.0006

Nienhusser, H. K. (2014). Role of community colleges in the implementation of postsecondary education enrollment policies for undocumented students. Community College Review, 42(1), 3–22. https://doi.org/10.1177/0091552113509837

Nienhusser, H. K. (2013). Role of high schools in undocumented students’ college choice. Education Policy Analysis Archives, 21(85), 1–32. https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.v21n85.2013

Dougherty, K. J., Nienhusser, H. K., & Vega, B. E. (2010). Undocumented immigrants and state higher education policy: The politics of in-state tuition eligibility in Texas and Arizona. The Review of Higher Education, 34(1), 123–173. https://doi.org/10.1353/rhe.2010.0012

Research Reports:

Nienhusser, H. K. (2018). Implementation of public and institutional policies for undocu/DACAmented students at higher education institutions. Los Angeles, CA: UndocuScholars.

Nienhusser, H. K., & Dougherty, K. J. (2010). Implementation of college in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants in New York.Albany, NY: New York Latino Research and Resources Network (NYLARNet).

Dougherty, K. J., Reid, M., & Nienhusser, H. K. (2006). State policies to achieve the dream in five states: An audit of state policies to aid student access to and success in community colleges in the first five Achieving the Dream states. New York, NY: Community College Research Center.

Public Scholarship:

Montoya, R., Nienhusser, H. K., Romandia, O., Ximenez, S. (2022, September). Supporting undocumented/DACAmented students and communities. Higher Education Anti-Racist Teaching (H.E.A.R.T.) [Audio podcast]. https://heartuconn.podbean.com/e/supporting-undocumented& dacamented-students-communities

Brownlee, L. A., Cantú, L., Nienhusser, H. K. (2021, April). Antiracist teaching at community colleges. Higher Education Anti-Racist Teaching (H.E.A.R.T.) [Audio podcast]. https://heartuconn.podbean.com/e/antiracist-teaching-at-community-colleges

Nienhusser, H. K. (2020, September). Universidad para pocos: Cómo funciona la universidad en EEUU? Hablemos de Política [Audio podcast]. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hdp-hablemos-de-pol%C3%ADtica/id1501054254?i=1000491969550

Nienhusser, H. K., Reyna Rivarola, A. R., Salazar, C. (2020, June). Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE) & ACPA: College Student Educators International joint response to the Supreme Court of the United States decision on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program and position statement on undocumented college students. https://www.ashe.ws//Files/Position Taking/ASHE & ACPA Response to SCOTUS DACA Decision and Position Statement on Undocumented College Students.pdf

Nienhusser, H. K. (2015, June). Connecticut two steps closer to educational equity. CT Mirror. http://ctviewpoints.org/2015/06/02/opinion-h-kenny-nienhusser-edd

Nienhusser, H. K. (2015, February). Testimony before the Connecticut Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee concerning S.B. 398: An Act Assisting Students Accepted into the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program with the Cost of College. https://www.cga.ct.gov/2015/HEDdata/Tmy/2015SB-00398-R000226-H. Kenny Nienhusser, Assistant Professor, University of Hartford-TMY.PDF

Nienhusser, H. K., & Dougherty, K. J. (2014, November). Obama’s immigration proposal: Not good enough for college access. Teachers College, Columbia University: Views on the News. http://www.tc.columbia.edu/news.htm?articleID=9760

Nienhusser, H. K. (2014, June). Open college aid to undocumented students. Hartford Courant.

Select Presentations:

Cadenas, G. A, Moreno, O., Nienhusser, H. K., Sosa, R. (2023, May). Immigration status, campus climate and Latinx college students’ mental health: Findings from national datasets. American Educational Research Association Annual Conference.

Robinson, A. N., McCready, A. M., & Nienhusser, H. K. (2023, March). Reflection and action: Critical praxis in a Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) graduate program. ACPA College Student Educators International Annual Conference.

Nienhusser, H. K., Burgos-López, L., Romandia, O., Werkmeister Rozas, L. (2022, November). Equity-minded policy implementation: Role of institutional agents in achieving greater higher education access for minoritized communities. Association for the Study of Higher Education Annual Conference.

Hernandez, C., Sosa, R., Moreno, O., Cadenas, G. A., Nienhusser, H. K. (2022, October). Mental health equity through the lens of immigration status and academic communities among immigrant students. In Oswaldo Moreno & Thania Galvan (Co-Chairs). Health equity through the lens of culture and community [Symposium]. National Latinx Psychological Association Annual Meeting.

Cadenas, G. A., Corona, R., Fuentes, L., Garcia-Rodriguez, I., Hernandez, C., Moreno, O., Nienhusser, H. K., Oshio, T., Sosa, R. (2021, August). Examining immigrants’ psychosocial wellbeing across methodologies, contexts, generations, and statuses. American Psychological Association Annual Conference.

Nienhusser, H. K., Romandia, O., & Ruesta, K. (2021, January) Towards supporting our vulnerable students and faculty during the COVID-19 pandemic. Association of American Colleges and Universities Annual Conference.

Ecton, W. G., Bennett, C. T., Nienhusser, H. K., Castillo-Montoya, M., Dougherty, S. (2020, November). If you fund them, will they come? Examining the role of a graduate fellowship in Ph.D. applications and enrollment. Association for the Study of Higher Education Annual Conference.

Ecton, W. G., Bennett, C. T., Nienhusser, H. K., Castillo-Montoya, M., Dougherty, S. (2020, April). If you fund them, will they come? Examining the role of a graduate fellowship in Ph.D. applications and enrollment. American Educational Research Association Annual Conference (Conference canceled).

Oshio, T., & Nienhusser, H. K. (2020, March). Family separation within the border: Challenges faced by adolescents from mixed status families. Society for Research on Adolescence Biennial Meeting (Conference canceled).

Nienhusser, H. K., & Connery, C. (2019, November). Role of contexts in shaping the implementation of policies that affect undocu/DACAmented students. Association for the Study of Higher Education Annual Conference.

Nienhusser, H. K., & Ives, J. (2019, April). Tracking urban students’ college access: Understanding college-going culture in magnet and nonmagnet secondary schools. American Educational Research Association Annual Conference.

Nienhusser, H. K., & Oshio, T. (2017, November). The Trump aftermath: Fears of threatened postsecondary opportunities for undocumented and DACAmented adolescents. Association for the Study of Higher Education Annual Conference.

Nienhusser, H. K., & Oshio, T. (2016, November). High school students’ accuracy in estimating cost of college: A new methodological approach and examination of racial/ethnic differences. Association for the Study of Higher Education Annual Conference.

Nienhusser, H. K., & Oshio, T. (2016, April). High school students’ accuracy in estimating cost of college: Student characteristics and postsecondary plans. American Educational Research Association Annual Conference.

Nienhusser, H. K., & Espino, M. M. (2015, November). Understanding and incorporating undocumented/DACAmented status competency in higher education institutional agents’ practice. Association for the Study of Higher Education Annual Conference.

Espino, M. M., & Nienhusser, H. K. (2015, November). Analyzing the role of professional values and personal beliefs in the implementation of state and institutional policies that affect undocumented and DACAmented students. Association for the Study of Higher Education Annual Conference.

Nienhusser, H. K., & Wisniewski, L. (2015, April). Gender as a factor in shaping young urban female students’ college choice process. American Educational Research Association Annual Conference.

Nienhusser, H. K. (2015, April). Policymaking environment for undocumented and DACAmented students’ higher education access: Federal, state, and local level actions. American Educational Research Association Annual Conference.

Espino, M. M., & Nienhusser, H. K. (2015, April). Compassionate yet compartmentalized: The role of professional values and personal beliefs in supporting undocumented students. American Educational Research Association Annual Conference.

Vega, B. E., Nienhusser, H. K., & Saavedra Carquin, M. (2014, April). Learning from microaggressions: Examining the college choice process from the perspectives of undocumented students. American Educational Research Association Annual Conference.

Nienhusser, H. K., Vega, B. E., & Saavedra Carquin, M. (2014, April). Factors that influence undocumented students’ college search. American Educational Research Association Annual Conference.

Nienhusser, H. K., Vega, B. E., & Saavedra Carquin, M. (2013, November). A path toward stigma: Exploring undocumented students’ experiences with microaggressions during their college choice process. Association for the Study of Higher Education Annual Conference.

Nienhusser, H. K. (2012, April). The role of high schools and community colleges in implementing postsecondary education policies for undocumented students. American Educational Research Association Annual Conference.

Select Funded Research:

Nienhusser, H. K. Equity-minded policy implementation imagination to achieve greater higher education access for marginalized communities.

Oshio, T., & Nienhusser, H. K. Role of immigration status on undocumented and DACAmented adolescents’ social-emotional development, educational experiences and aspirations, and family processes.

Nienhusser, H. K. & Oshio, T. Factors that shape students’ postsecondary education aspiration.

Nienhusser, H. K., & Wisniewski, L. College-going culture and college choice process in an urban context.

Nienhusser, H. K., & Espino, M. Role of higher education administrators in the implementation of state and institutional policies affecting undocumented students.

Nienhusser, H. K., Vega, B. E., & Saavedra Carquin, M. C. Stigma associated with undocumented immigrants’ unauthorized status and its impact on higher education access.

Nienhusser, H. K., & Dougherty, K. J. Implementation of college in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants in New York.

Academic/University Work:

Associate Professor (Tenure-track; August 2021 – Present)
University of Connecticut, Department of Educational Leadership, Higher Education and Student Affairs

Faculty Director (August 2020 – Present)
University of Connecticut, La Comunidad Intelectual Learning Community

Assistant Professor (Tenure-track; August 2018 – August 2021)
University of Connecticut, Department of Educational Leadership, Higher Education and Student Affairs

Associate Professor (Tenure-track; July 2018 – August 2018)
University of Hartford, Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership

Assistant Director (September 2015 – August 2018)
University of Hartford, NASA Connecticut Space Grant Consortium

Director (May 2013 – June 2015)
University of Hartford, Center for Learning and Professional Education, Institute for Translational Research

Assistant Professor (Tenure-track; July 2012 – June 2018)
University of Hartford, Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership

Adjunct Assistant Professor (August 2011 – August 2012)
Teachers College, Columbia University, Program in Higher and Postsecondary Education

Research Assistant (January 2004 – May 2005)
Teachers College, Columbia University, Community College Research Center

Director of Academic Administration (December 2005 – August 2012)
Teachers College, Columbia University, Department of Mathematics, Science, and Technology

Assistant Director of Housing (July 2001 – January 2006)
Teachers College, Columbia University, Office of Housing and Residence Life

Residence Hall Director  (May 1998 – July 2001)
Stony Brook University, Division of Campus Residences

Professional Memberships:

ACPA—College Student Educators International

American Educational Research Association (AERA)

Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE)

NASPA—Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education