Magdalena Martinez
Associate Professor, College of Education
Rowan University
The Steve Sweeney Center for Public Policy
The Sweeney Center for Public Policy was created to fill the need for an independent bipartisan public policy center to conduct research and develop pragmatic solutions to complex policy issues based on data-driven analysis, rigorous academic research, and convening working groups that bring together policy experts, stakeholders and advocates to reach consensus.
I am an associate professor in the College of Education, and a Senior Policy Fellow with the Sweeney Center for Public Policy at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey.
As a collective, my scholarly work has been of interest to policymakers and academics on issues related to Latina/o students, language learners, governance, and postsecondary access policies. My research also includes education policy changes, the people involved, and the experiences shaping policy ideas and choices.
In my research and practice, I work with local governments, decision makers, and nonprofit organizations to design and analyze education policy projects with a focus on equity and minimizing underrepresentation. My work has shaped and informed education policy conversations, ideas, and specific legislative bills in service to expanding student access and success for all students.
Formerly, I served as the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs for the Nevada System of Higher Education. In my role I was responsible for strengthening P-16 education partnerships and examining education policy to increase access, equity, and success for underrepresented student populations. I was also responsible for the successful development and implementation of statewide college access grants from the U.S. Department of Education and private grants. I worked closely with the Nevada Department of Education to develop and implement the Nevada statewide GEAR UP grant which served low-income students.
Previous experiences include working at the National Forum of Higher Education for the Public Good at the University of Michigan, program evaluator for a three-year, W.K. Kellogg Foundation funded leadership program to prepare individuals for the presidency at Minority Serving Institutions across the country, community college administrator, community college counselor, and analyst for the City of Las Vegas departments of human resources and neighborhood services.
I completed a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, master’s degree from Harvard University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas