Jessica Rivera, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
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Bio
Jessica Rivera is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, she comes from a Mexican immigrant family and is a first-generation college student. She earned a B.F.A. in Art and a M.S. in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University in Higher Education and Student Affairs.
Prior to joining the faculty, Dr. Rivera held a variety of roles across educational contexts, including undergraduate admissions, academic advising, first-year experience programs, and elementary education as a third-grade teacher. Her research examines how Hispanic-Serving Institutions can more effectively support the students they enroll, explores the experiences of Latine students and faculty throughout the graduate education and academic pipeline, and investigates the ways imposter phenomenon influences success, persistence, and sense of belonging in higher education.
