Rachel Dean Divaker

Rachel Dean Divaker is a Ph.D. candidate in Higher Education Administration and Policy at the University of Florida. Her research focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence, higher education access and equity, with an emphasis on improving student outcomes in STEM fields.

Her dissertation uses large language model (LLM)-driven generative agent-based simulations to examine peer learning interventions in gateway STEM courses. Drawing on nationally representative data, she investigates whether simulated interventions can reproduce empirical findings related to reducing preparation-based achievement gaps for historically underrepresented students. Her work is grounded in Social Cognitive Career Theory and aims to develop scalable, cost-effective approaches for testing educational interventions prior to real world implementation.

In addition, Rachel’s research explores the experiences of international students in U.S. higher education, particularly challenges related to language, culture, and social integration. She incorporates mixed methods and natural language processing techniques to analyze student perspectives and institutional engagement efforts.