Nada Rayyes

Nada Rayyes studies the implementation and outcomes of a range of educational programs that focus on secondary and postsecondary pathways, social and emotional learning, and youth development. Dr. Rayyes is currently leading a study examining the implementation of emergency financial assistance in the California Community Colleges. In collaboration with Jobs for the Future, she is also co-leading the evaluation of an Education Innovation Research grant focused on dual-enrollment, work-based learning courses in Tennessee. 

Prior to joining AIR, Dr. Rayyes served as project director at the California State University, Long Beach, where she led a mixed-methods evaluation of the Building Infrastructure Leading to Diversity (BUILD) program, an NIH-funded undergraduate research training program. In addition, in senior research positions at IMPAQ, International and Berkeley Policy Associates, Dr. Rayyes led evaluations of workforce development programs based at community colleges in Southern California and the Bay Area. Dr. Rayyes has also held research and program evaluation positions at WestEd, the Los Angeles Unified School District, and the University of California, Santa Barbara. 

Dr. Rayyes is a qualitative researcher with experience leading implementation studies, serving as a quality assurance reviewer, and providing technical guidance to project teams. She is passionate about using her research and analytic skills to promote equity in education and the workforce.