Erika Méndez

Erika is the associate director of education for the Latino Policy Forum. Erika promotes the Forum’s advocacy and policy work in education. Her current portfolio includes, but is not limited to, child and family well-being in the current socio-political immigration climate, Latino access to early childhood opportunities, and the bilingual workforce shortage. Through her work, Erika draws awareness to the different obstacles facing Latino and English learner children in Illinois and works on policy solutions that address inequities faced by these students, starting in early childhood and across the educational continuum.

Erika earned her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Michigan. Prior to the Forum, Erika conducted research for the Contexts for Academic and Social Adjustment (CASA) research  laboratory at the University of Michigan. She was involved in a number of projects aimed to best support immigrant families. Additionally, Erika was a former Family Resource Specialist for Illinois Action for Children and worked with the School District of Beloit’s Equity department on Latino family engagement. 

Contact Erika via email or phone