Dr. Melissa Garza joined the Charles Butt Foundation in September 2023 as a Senior Research Associate of the Learning and Impact team. Before this role, Dr. Garza held positions in research, evaluation, teaching, advising, and admissions across K-12 and post-secondary public and private institutions.
A first-generation college student from a border town in South Texas, Dr. Garza’s work is deeply rooted in fostering equity in education. Throughout her career, she has led impactful initiatives aimed at advancing resources and opportunities for culturally and linguistically diverse communities, most notably in the Rio Grande Valley. Her work reflects a personal and professional dedication to providing meaningful contributions in research, theory, and practice.
Dr. Garza earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Developmental Education and a Master of Interdisciplinary Studies at Texas State University. She also holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Dr. Garza’s expertise focuses on mixed methodologies, and her research interests center on education in U.S. – Mexico border spaces, multilingual learning, and literacy.