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Jayla Moody Marshall, Ph.D.
Writer. Speaker. Educator. Educational Researcher.
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Jayla Moody Marshall is a Ph.D. candidate in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development with a concentration in Higher Education, Opportunity, Equity, and Justice at North Carolina State University. She is also a contributing writer for Diverse. Her scholarship empowers marginalized students' voices and narratives to foster more inclusive and equitable spaces in higher education. Her dissertation specifically investigates Black undergraduate women’s purpose and identity development at PWIs.
On March 18, 2025, Jayla successfully defended her dissertation, officially becoming Dr. Jayla Moody Marshall.
Jayla Moody Marshall, a student in the Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development higher education opportunity, equity, and justice concentration, has been named a 2024 Dr. Melvin C. Terrell Scholarship recipient. The scholarship is awarded annually by the Dr. Melvin C. Terrell (MCT) Educational Foundation, Inc. to graduate students who are pursuing their master’s or doctoral degree in student affairs or higher education administration. The Dr. Melvin C. Terrell Educational Foundation, Inc. works to support student affairs professionals and was created to ensure underrepresented students gain access and achieve success in the field.
UB hosts latest class of VITAL scholars
The Visiting Future Faculty Program (VITAL) invites exceptional doctoral candidates to engage with UB GSE faculty and students, showcasing their innovative research. The program is structured to foster collaboration between visiting scholars and UB GSE faculty, enhancing connections that could diversify future faculty search pools. Participants will also interact with fellow scholars, engage deeply with UB’s academic community, and explore the Buffalo-Niagara region's many cultural and intellectual offerings.
A commitment to creating more equitable environments for students in higher education has been a passion of Marshall’s throughout her educational career. Now that commitment has been recognized with the NC State Chancellor’s Creating Community Outstanding Student Award.
Jayla Moody Marshall, a doctoral student in the NC College of Education’s Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development higher education opportunity, equity, and justice concentration, served two terms (2024, 2025) as the graduate student representative on the Association for the Study of Higher Education’s Council for Ethnic Participation Executive Committee.
Jayla is studying Higher Education Opportunity, Equity, and Justice at NC State’s College of Education. Read more about what lead her to education and doctoral studies.
Jayla Moody Marshall was named as a member of the Mercer University Minority Mentors Program’s Innagural 40 Under 40 in 2022. Jayla is a 2019 Mercer University alumna.
Jayla Moody Marshall, a doctoral student in the NC College of Education’s Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development higher education opportunity, equity, and justice concentration, has been elected to serve as the graduate student representative on the Association for the Study of Higher Education’s Council for Ethnic Participation Executive Committee.
Choosing Joy, The Power in Your Story w/@Jaysmoody
Jayla Marshall fell in love with stories at a very early age. Through her work, she uses creative and innovative strategies to encourage people to share their stories, uncover their purpose, and choose their joy.
#ManeCrushMonday w/ Jayla