Emely Medina-Rodriguez, EDC research associate, is experienced in evaluation, policy, and leadership in grades K–12 and higher education. She has applied her quantitative and qualitative research and evaluation skills in different settings, including schools, districts, universities, nonprofits, community organizations, and foundations.

Currently, Medina-Rodriguez oversees evaluation, instrument development, and data collection for EDC’s La Fuerza-STEM initiative, which has produced and is studying the impact of an Emmy award-winning telenovela focused on science and family science workshops. She also contributes to an evaluation of child-care policy in Rhode Island’s Department of Human Services.

Before joining EDC, Medina-Rodriguez worked with communities in Chicago and Puerto Rico to conduct evaluations on health and education. She conducted post-doctoral research and evaluation  and completed evaluation internships at the John D. and Catherine T. McArthur Foundation and the Chicago Latin School High Jump program.

Medina-Rodriguez holds a PhD in Higher Education from Loyola University Chicago and an MA in Educational Policy and Leadership from the University of Michigan.