Briana Davis, PhD, graduated this year with a PhD from the Communication Department in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at George Mason University.
During her time at Mason, Briana conducted research on the advancement of educational opportunities for students in urban spaces. Through qualitative interviews and auto-ethnographic reflections, Briana gained a better understanding of urban student identities and teacher perspectives in order to advocate for equitable learning experiences. She emphasized the importance of her own experiences in shaping her research. Growing up attending a Title I school, she understood first-hand the obstacles that poverty can bring to places of learning.
In addition to her research, Briana also made the most of her time as a graduate student at George Mason. She served as a graduate lecturer in her department and was a Graduate Inclusion and Access (GIA) Scholar. In 2024, Briana also earned Third Place in the Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition. Reflecting on her experience with 3MT® Briana explained:
I feel really grateful and humbled to actually have the opportunity to even participate in 3MT. Then finding out that I made it to be a finalist, that was a very exciting moment. And then actually placing, that was super exciting because I worked so hard on my research, but I think it was less about how hard I was working and more so about the opportunity to tell the story of these urban students' identities, of inner city spaces, of Title I schools, and having people who don't share identities with me actually pay attention and listen.
In 2025, Briana also received the Outstanding Doctoral Student award from her department. She expressed gratitude that the award recognized the hard work, sacrifices, and overall commitment to her education.
Briana attributes the development of her academic and professional skills that supported the completion of her degree to her mentors within the Department of Communication and advisors in the Graduate Division:
One of the greatest lessons I've learned from the Graduate Division was how to advocate for myself at this level; how to go into these spaces and say the things that I need or want in order to create a space where I could learn and flourish....Without the Graduate Division, I know that my journey at Mason would not be as substantial without having the team that's in that office, the support of all of those workers, the scholars in there just working and believing in me and supporting me every step of the way. I mean, really from the bottom of my heart, I really do appreciate the Graduate Division.Graduate Division, Three Minute Thesis
After graduation, Briana hopes to continue her research, give a TED Talk, and write a book!
Learn more about Briana Davis’s experiences by watching the full interview.