Current Sociology PhD Students

LeNaya Crandall Hezel

LeNaya Crandall Hezel

LeNaya Crandall Hezel

Sociology: Sociology of Education, Military-Connected Communities, Equity and Inclusion among Intersectionality of Identities, Institutions and Inequality

LeNaya Crandall Hezel (she/her) is a sociology institutions and inequality PhD candidate and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) organizational strategist. LeNaya has over a decade of experience as a higher education professional supporting underrepresented student populations. LeNaya is a 2021 Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program Scholar with George W. Bush Institute and a Pat Tillman Foundation Scholar where these networks enable LeNaya to collaborate with interdisciplinary leaders making an impact in our communities.

In the spirit of public sociology, she founded NayceQuest LLC to guide organizations as they explore, dive into a deeper understanding, and discover meaningful ways to shift our culture to be equitable and inclusive. Previous to George Mason University, she served as the inaugural Veterans Office Director at Georgetown University and a Certifying Official at The George Washington University. She holds a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from The George Washington University and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Maryland, College Park. LeNaya is a proud military spouse to a U.S. Navy Officer and mother to three spirited children.

Selected Publications

Bogue, Barrett and LeNaya Hezel. 2022. "The Call to Serve: Providing data-driven recommendations and peer analysis for Fayetteville State University becoming the leading HBCU to attract, support, and graduate military-connected students." https://www.uncfsu.edu/assets/Documents/HBCU%20Military%20Report_final.pdf.

Research Referenced:

Hezel, LeNaya. 2022. "We must diversify how we serve our veteran community." George W. Bush Presidential Center, March 16. https://www.bushcenter.org/publications/we-must-diversify-how-we-serve-our-veteran-community.

Tête, Dylan. 2022. "Just Ask Our Veterans: Intentional Neighboring Can Improve Your Health." Reality Times, October 3. https://realtytimes.com/real-industry-news-articles/item/1045750-just-ask-our-veterans-intentional-neighboring-can-improve-your-health.

Education

The George Washington University: Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration, 2012

University of Maryland, College Park: Bachelor of Music, 2006