Research Discipline/Bio
Arnela's research centers education as a tool of the state and reflects on the importance of education policies and structures in forming civic attitudes and national identities, particularly in post-conflict contexts. She also examines the influence of international and regional organizations on national education policies and systems in politically transitioning, multi-ethnic states. The intent of her research is to explore how internationally driven political and social reconstruction in the aftermath of conflict contributes to or hinders the peacebuilding and nation (re)building efforts in states emerging from conflict.
Educational Background
Masters of Philosophy, Comparative and International Education, Teachers College, 2024
Masters of Arts, International Education Policy Analysis, Stanford University, 2020
Bachelors of Arts, Political Science, University of California, Berkeley, 2017
Honors/Awards
Fulbright Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Fellowship, 2025
Education Policy Dissertation Research Fellowship, 2024-2025
Doctoral Fellowship, Teachers College, Columbia University, 2021-2024
Dean's Fellowship, Graduate School of Education, Stanford University, 2019-2020
Publications/Exhibitions
Čolić, Arnela, Rabinowitz, D. & Mansour, S. (2025). “The State of the State in Comparative Education: Shifting Definitions, Roles, and Responsibilities in a Globalized World.” In A. W. Wiseman, E. Anderson, L. Damaschke-Deitrick, E. Galegher, N. Dzotsenidze and M. Park (Eds.), Handbook on Comparative Education. Edward Elgar Publishing.
Čolić, Arnela. (paper under review). The Question of Kosovo: A Comparison of National Identity in Kosovo’s Albanian and Serbian History Textbooks.
Russell, S.G., Mantilla-Blanco, P., Hui, C. & Čolić, A. (paper under review). “Constructing Civic Identity and Engagement: The Case of Newcomer and Refugee Students in U.S. Schools.”
Russell, S.G., Fabo, C., Jones, V., Čolić, A. (2024). Language Policies and Ideologies for Socialization and Identity-Building in U.S. Schools: The Case of Newcomer and Refugee Students in Arizona and New York. Social Sciences, 13(601).
Čolić, Arnela; Mundorff, M., Pavić, S. & Trajković, B. (Eds.) (2018). Hajde da ućimo Srpski: Čitanka (Let’s Learn Serbian: Textbook). Prishtina: Peace Corps Kosovo.
Last Updated: Mar 11, 2025