Dr. Adriana Villavicencio
Author, Scholar, Educator
Shaping the conversation to confront racism in our schools and create opportunities for young people of color
Am I My Brother’s Keeper?
Educational Opportunities and Outcomes for Black and Brown Boys
By Dr. Adriana Villavicencio
Foreword by David E. Kirkland
Am I My Brother’s Keeper? offers powerful insights into the challenges of implementing large-scale educational change. The book, chronicling the Expanded Success Initiative (ESI), a four-year study focused on improving the educational outcomes of fifteen thousand Black and Latinx males in New York City public high schools, covers what worked, what didn’t, and what we can learn from the experience.
About Dr. Villavicencio
I study K-12 educational policy and school practice that deepens or disrupts inequalities for students of color and their families. I’m the daughter of Ecuadorian immigrants, was born and raised in Southern California, and lived in New York City for 20 years before moving back “home.” I’m currently an Assistant Professor in the School of Education at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). Before joining UCI, I spent almost a decade leading mixed-methods studies on NYC schools at the Research Alliance, NYU. I’ve also conducted research at MDRC, RAND, and Westat.
But I began my career in education as a middle and high school teacher in Brooklyn, New York, East Oakland California, and Bangalore, India. I do this work to honor my students and to improve the experiences and outcomes of young people who are typically underserved in schools. When I’m not working, I’m spending time with my husband, two daughters, and two turtles.
Public Engagement
“Am I My Brother’s Keeper: Lessons from NYC.” My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Symposium. April 29, 2022.
“Immunizing Our Schools Against 21st Century Racism.” NYC Men Teach 3rd Annual Innovation in Education Conference. October 22, 2021.
“Improving experiences and outcomes of immigrant youth.”
Future of Latinos in the United States Project: Law, Opportunity, and Mobility. Irvine, California. September 28, 2020.
In the Media
“Achievement Gap During the Pandemic”
AirTalk, NPR Los Angeles, May 6, 2022
“School Closures Due to Coronavirus Could Widen Education Inequality Among Students”
Newsweek, March 25, 2020
“Program to Help Minority Students Fell Short of Some Goals, Study Finds”
Wall Street Journal, May 9, 2018