Michael L. Tidwell is a doctoral student in the Louise McBee Institute of Higher Education at the University of Georgia. Broadly, his work aims to increase equity in graduate education through uncovering and working to eliminate barriers to full participation in graduate education, especially for first-generation and LGBTQ+ students. He holds an MS in Social Science from Clemson University, and a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies (Cum Laude; Sociology & Public Administration) from Valdosta State University.