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Doctoral Dissertation Defense Notice: Veda Hawkins

Mon, April 20, 2026 10:00 AM at GEO, Rm. 105

Veda HawkinsA doctoral dissertation defense is scheduled for Veda Hawkins on the following date and time:

Title: Spatial Opportunity Gaps: Mapping Socioeconomic Positioning and Four-Year Degree Completion of Black Students from Metro Detroit

Day and Date: Monday, April 20, 2026

Time: 10:00 a.m. (EDT)

Location: Room 105, Geography Building

A copy of Veda’s dissertation can be obtained by emailing vhawkins@msu.edu @msu.edu.

The defense will consist of two stages:

First stage: In-person or by Webinar (30-60 minute uninterrupted presentation by the student summarizing the dissertation research):

Anyone, including faculty, students and staff, is welcome to attend the presentation and to participate in the initial portion of the question session, which will be moderated by the Advisor.

Second stage: In-person or by Zoom (Advisor and Guidance Committee will ask questions):

Faculty are welcome to stay for this stage. Graduate students and other non-committee members (e.g., family and friends) CANNOT attend the second questioning stage.

Successful completion of the defense and approval of the dissertation will be determined by a majority vote of the dissertation committee.

Committee Members:

  • Kyle Evered (Chair)
  • Igor Vojnovic
  • Joe Darden
  • Terah Chambers (MSU College of Education)