To what extent does education amplify, preserve, or reduce social inequality? This has been the central question guiding Professor Roksa’s scholarly inquiry.

Professor Roksa’s current research focuses on understanding inequalities in STEM fields, especially at the intersection of race/ethnicity and gender. She is also examining experiences and outcomes of first-generation and low-income students, and more broadly the role of socioeconomic status in shaping students’ trajectories through both undergraduate and graduate education.

In her earlier work, Professor Roksa has explored development of critical thinking skills during college and the role of parenting practices in both fostering student success and reproducing socioeconomic inequalities.

Professor Roksa currently serves as Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education in the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost and Project Director for two Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Initiatives: Driving Change and Inclusive Excellence 3 (IE3).

Selected Publications

Books

Richard Arum and Josipa Roksa
Academically Adrift: Limited Learning on College Campuses
Chicago: University of Chicago Press. 2011.

Richard Arum and Josipa Roksa
Aspiring Adults Adrift: Tentative Transitions of College Graduates
Chicago: University of Chicago Press. 2014.

Richard Arum, Josipa Roksa, and Amanda Cook
Improving Quality in American Higher Education: Learning Outcomes and Assessments for the 21st Century
Jossey-Bass, 2016.

Recent Articles and Book Chapters

Roksa, Josipa, Blake Silver, and Yapeng Wang. 2021. “Inequality in Higher Education: Sociological Understandings of Student Success.” Nick Bowman (Ed.), How College Students Succeed: Making Meaning Across Disciplinary Perspectives. Sterling, VA: Stylus, pp. 179-207.

Roksa, Josipa, Yapeng Wang, David Feldon, and Matt Ericson. 2021. “Who is Publishing Journal Articles During Graduate School? Race and Gender Inequalities in Biological Sciences Over Time.” Journal of Diversity in Higher Education.

Wofford, Annie, Kimberly Griffin, and Josipa Roksa. 2021. “Unequal Expectations: First-Generation and Continuing-Generation Students’ Anticipated Relationships with Doctoral Advisors in STEM." Higher Education.

Williams, C. Lee, Quinn A. Hirschi, Chris S. Hulleman, and Josipa Roksa. 2021. “Belonging in STEM: Growth Mindset as a Filter of Contextual Cues.” International Journal of Community Well-Being, Special Issue on Building Community Well-Being in Higher Education.

Roksa, Josipa, Blake Silver, Denise Deutschlander, Sarah Whitley. 2020 “Navigating the First Year of College: Siblings, Parents, and First-Generation Students’ Experiences.” Sociological Forum.

Miller, Candace, and Josipa Roksa. 2020. “Balancing Research and Service in Academia: Gender, Race, and Laboratory Tasks.” Gender & Society 34: 131-152.

Roksa, Josipa, Denise Deutschlander, and Sarah E. Whitley. 2020. “Parental Validation, College Experiences, and Institutional Commitment of First-Generation and Low-Income Students.” Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice.

Roksa, Josipa. 2019. “Intergenerational Exchange of Support: Resource Dilution and Increased Contribution in Low-Income Families.” Journal of Marriage and Family 81: 601-615.

Roksa, Josipa and Blake Silver. 2019. “Do-It-Yourself” University: Institutional and Family Support in the Transition Out of College.” Review of Higher Education 42: 1051-1071.

Roksa, Josipa, and Peter Kinsley. 2018. “The Role of Family Support in Facilitating Academic Success of Low-Income Students.” Research in Higher Education. (published online June 2018)

Hamilton, Laura, Josipa Roksa, and Kelly Nielsen. 2018. “Providing a "Leg Up": Parental Involvement and Opportunity Hoarding in College.” Sociology of Education 91: 111-131.

Roksa, Josipa, David Feldon, and Michelle Maher. 2018. “First-Generation Students in Pursuit of the Ph.D.: Comparing Socialization Experiences and Outcomes to Continuing-Generation Peers.” Journal of Higher Education 89: 728-752.

Tyson, Will, and Josipa Roksa. 2017. “Importance of Grades and Placement in Math Attainment.” Educational Researcher 46: 140-142.

Blake, Silver, and Josipa Roksa. 2017. “Navigating Uncertainty and Responsibility: Understanding Inequality in the Senior-Year Transition.” Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice 54: 248-260.

Roksa, Josipa, and Karen Robinson. 2017. “Cultural Capital and Habitus in Context: The Importance of High School College-Going Culture.” British Journal of Sociology of Education 38: 1230-1244.

Roksa, Josipa, Cindy A. Kilgo, Teniell L. Trolian, Ernest T. Pascarella, Charles Blaich and Kathleen S. Wise. 2017. “Engaging with Diversity: How Positive and Negative Diversity Interactions Shape Students’ Cognitive Outcomes.” The Journal of Higher Education 88: 297-322.

Roksa, Josipa, Teniell L. Trolian, Charles Blaich and Kathleen S. Wise. 2017. “Facilitating Academic Performance in College: Understanding the Role of Clear and Organized Instruction.” Higher Education 74:283-300.

Roksa, Josipa, Teniell L. Trolian, Ernest T. Pascarella, Cindy A. Kilgo, Charles Blaich and Kathleen S. Wise. 2017. “Racial Inequality in Critical Thinking Skills: The Role of Academic and Diversity Experiences.” Research in Higher Education 58: 119-140.

Roksa, Josipa, and Sarah Whitley. 2017. “Fostering Academic Success of First-Year Students: Exploring the Role of Motivation, Race, and Faculty.” Journal of College Student Development 58: 333-348.

ORCID: 0000-0003-2757-5982