A message from Adrianna Kezar, Director of the Pullias Center:

Dear Colleagues, 

I never expected to be writing a memorial for a dear and younger colleague – Tatiana Melguizo. I had the pleasure of working with Tatiana for nearly 20 years. In this special edition of our Pullias Center newsletter, we’ll be honoring Tatiana with moving tributes and recollections about our dear friend, and sharing more about the impact she, and her work, has had on so many.

I also want to make you aware of a scholarship fund we have set up in her name — the 'Tatiana Melguizo Memorial Scholarship Fund for Community College Transfer Students.' We could think of no better way to honor her memory than to have a community college student continue their undergraduate studies at USC in her name. Please consider making a generous donation and honoring our friend and colleague.

We’ve also set up a unique email address for all to share their memories, thoughts, prayers and photos with her family — husband Pierre and children Mateo, Juliette and Amalia — at [email protected]. We encourage you share with them your memories of this remarkable woman, and the impact she may have had on your life.

I continue to be shocked, saddened and heartbroken by this tremendous loss to our community. I also continue to hold her family in my thoughts and prayers. Please do what you can to support and honor Tatiana’s legacy and family over the coming years.

Sending condolences and peace to you all at this difficult time,

Adrianna Kezar

Director, the Pullias Center for Higher Education

Memorial for Tatiana Melguizo Set for Monday, April 8, 11:30am-1pm at USC

Please join us on Monday, April 8, both in-person at USC and virtually, as we come together to remember our devoted colleague and friend, Dr. Tatiana Melguizo.

The memorial will be held at the USC Davidson Conference Center, Vineyard Room, 3415 S. Figueroa Blvd., Los Angeles. Livestream will be available.

Please respond by March 25 with your in-person RSVP.

You can also share your memories of Tatiana with her family, Pierre, Mateo, Juliette & Amalia, to: to: [email protected]

Pullias Center and USC Establish Memorial Scholarship Fund

A new scholarship honoring Dr. Tatiana Melguizo has been established by the University of Southern California and the Pullias Center for Higher Education.

The ‘Tatiana Melguizo Memorial Scholarship Fund for Community College Transfer Students’ honors Dr. Melguizo’s commitment and research supporting community college students and ensuring their success. A highly-accomplished professor and a leader in the fields of education and economics, she passed away in January 2024.

Cheryl Ching

Assistant Professor, University of Massachusetts, Boston

Doing Research to Enhance Students’ Experiences and Outcomes

I can’t remember the first time I met Tatiana. It was probably sometime in 2012, the year I started the PhD program at USC Rossier. The last time I saw her was during our final project meeting of 2023, in November. During this time, I was fortunate to experience Tatiana in different ways.

Adrianna Kezar

Director, the Pullias Center for Higher Education

Busting Organizational Barriers for Students in Math and STEM

While I am saddened at the passing of our dear friend and colleague Tatiana Melguizo, I am pleased to be able to showcase her important contributions to the field of higher education and for community colleges.

What struck me about Tatiana was her steadfast pursuit of access and success for historically-marginalized students. Tatiana busted organizational barriers for students! Instead of blaming students for their lack of success — she reversed the scrutiny back on campuses.

Federick J. Ngo

Associate Professor, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Valuing Connections and Relationship and Welcoming Opportunities for Learning and Growth

I first met Tatiana in 2012 just after I had been admitted to the PhD program at USC Rossier. She exuded an uncommon warmth and kindness, and I knew I had to take the chance to work with her. 

It turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life. 

Maury Pearl & Deborah Harrington

Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD)

An Unwavering and Deeply-felt Commitment to Students

Tatiana began a rich and rewarding partnership with LACCD’s Offices of Institutional Effectiveness and of Student Success more than 17 years ago. Realizing the need to study equitable practices and outcomes in the community colleges and the opportunity for working with the largest community college district in California, Tatiana’s vision was to develop a mutually beneficial, collaborative relationship between USC Rossier and LACCD.

Elise Swanson

Senior Research Manager, Center for Education Policy Research, Harvard University

The Power of Building Deep, Lasting Relationships with Colleagues and Students

I first met Tatiana in 2019, when I joined the Pullias Center as a postdoctoral fellow on the PASS Phase I project. I could fill this space entirely by talking about the impact Tatiana has had on my professional trajectory. Thanks to her, I had an amazing postdoctoral experience where I got to work on incredible projects, strengthen my publication record, attempt to write grant proposals, and develop relationships with the incredible collaborators and scholars in Tatiana’s orbit.

More Pullias Center News

Attend the 45th Pullias Lecture, March 28 at USC

Event Features a Distinguished Panel of National DEI Experts on 

Thursday, March 28

“Understanding and Navigating an Increasingly Hostile DEI Environment in Higher Education” is the topic of this year’s Lecture. Moderated by Rossier School of Education Dean Pedro Noguera, the panel features a distinguished panel of national experts on DEI, including:

Eddie Cole, UCLA

Liliana Garces, University of Texas, Austin

Royel Johnson, USC Rossier School of Education and a member of the Pullias Center faculty.

This year's Lecture will be held at the California Science Center, across from USC. Your registration includes lunch and free parking. Livestream will be available for our out-of-town attendees.

Meet the Pullias Researchers at AERA's 2024 Annual Meeting

Headed to Philadelphia for the 2024 AERA Annual Meeting? You won't want to miss any of our researchers' sessions. Check out the schedule here.

The 2024 Delphi Award Application Now Open

Join the elite group of 12 institutions that have already received a $15,000 Delphi Award for their support of VITAL (contingent) faculty.

Ready to begin your Delphi Award application? Check out our comprehensive Delphi Award Application FAQ page and access the Award application. It's chock-full of everything you'll need to know to prepare a successful Delphi Award application.

THE PULLIAS CENTER FOR

HIGHER EDUCATION

Promoting Equity in Higher Education

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The World's Leading Research Center on Student Access and Success in Higher Education