Carmen Cortez Morales is a seasoned nonprofit professional with over a decade of experience in strategy, research, and operations. At CCRC, she is working on a study exploring the Louisiana Community and Technical College System’ transition to co-requisites and colleges’ efforts to support student success in these new course structures. As a first-generation college graduate, Cortez Morales is deeply committed to transforming educational practices to create learner-centered learning environments. A defining moment in her career was her early work on expanding a work-study program at Miami Dade College, which ignited her dedication to developmental education reform. She holds a B.S. in from Baruch College, and her M.S. in Learning Analytics from Columbia University’s Teachers College.