Melinda Mechur Karp is a Senior Research Associate at the Institute on Education and the Economy/Community College Research Center, Teachers College, Columbia University. Her research focuses on the transition from high school to college and careers, particularly for disadvantaged students. Dr. Karp has authored and co-authored a number of papers on dual enrolment and credit-based transition programs, including State dual enrollment policies: Addressing access and quality, and Pathways to College Access and Success, both published by the U.S. Department of Education. Other recent work includes a study of state policies supporting the creation of career pathways. She is currently conducting a longitudinal study of student persistence in community colleges and overseeing an analysis of dual enrollment outcomes in two states.  

Other work at CCRC includes study of nurse preparation programs, an evaluation of the National Academy Foundation career academy model, and a review of literature assessing the impact of the Federal School to Work Opportunities Act.

Dr. Karp holds a PhD in Sociology and Education from Columbia University.