A research team from the University of Arizona College of Education has been awarded a $75,000 Racial Equity Research Grant from the Spencer Foundation to study college access for undocumented students.

The project is led by Ruth Lopez and Chi Nguyen, along with doctoral student Paulette Nevarez, and includes collaborators from Harvard University and University of California, Berkeley.

Their research will examine how in-state tuition equity policies in Arizona and Massachusetts shape educational pathways for undocumented immigrant students. The team will also explore how these policies are interpreted and implemented at both community and institutional levels, shedding light on how policy translation affects students’ access to higher education.

The Spencer Foundation’s Racial Equity Research Grants support projects that deepen understanding of racial inequality in education and identify ways to address systemic barriers. Through this work, the research team aims to contribute new insights into policies that can expand educational opportunities for undocumented students.

The College of Education congratulates the team on this important recognition and looks forward to the impact their research will have on advancing equity in higher education.