Research Discipline/Bio
Melissa Herman is a PhD student in the education policy program at Teachers College and a senior research assistant at the CCRC, where she is engaged in research on first-generation college students. She also conducts qualitative and quantitative research on college access, transition, and persistence within large public higher education systems. Prior to enrolling at TC, she was the director of Graduate NYC, a college access and completion initiative housed at the City University of New York.
Prior to Graduate NYC, Herman was the associate director for partnership support at PENCIL, overseeing a team of partnership managers and developing the organization’s college and career readiness programming. During her tenure at PENCIL, she worked extensively within the New York City public school system on strategic partnership development, as well as college readiness and project-based learning programming for students.
Educational Background
Master of Public Administration, New York University
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and History, University of Pennsylvania
Honors/Awards
Postsecondary Education Applied Research (PEAR) Fellow (2021-Present)
Publications/Exhibitions
Salazar, A. L., Santikian, H. & Herman, M. (2024). Understanding the Personal Support Networks of First-generation College Students from Immigrant Backgrounds. Supporting College Students of Immigrant Origin: New Insights from Research, Policy, and Practice, 310. Cambridge University Press.
Last Updated: Oct 29, 2024