Jessica Pedraza (she/her)

Experience

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  Jumpstart

  Sept 2015 - Jun 2016

  Corp Member

  Jumpstart is a national early education organization that recruits and trains college students and community Corps members to serve preschool children in low-income neighborhoods. The organization’s proven curriculum helps children develop the language and literacy skills they need to be ready for kindergarten, setting them on a path to close the achievement gap before it is too late. Responsibilities included: *Participated as an AmeriCorps member in an award-winning network of volunteers who provide individualized attention and positive adult-child relationships to prepare children attending preschool in low-income neighborhoods for school success Vis mindre

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  Samueli Academy

  Jan 2016 - Jun 2016

  Lead Researcher

  During my undergraduate career, I participated in advanced training in qualitative and ethnographic research centered on community service. As student researchers, we had to pursue field studies at nonprofit agencies (200 hours) to understand current social problems in underrepresented and under-served communities. The overall goal was through field placement, as student researchers we apply theory to practice. Responsibilities included: *Counseled and supported high school students (12) with low grade point averages to build strong academic excellence by 70%; transcribed +90 hours of field notes and interviews, assisted college counselor with college workshops for students and parents; facilitated workshops on social justice and leadership Vis mindre

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  The Public Policy and International Affairs Program

  Jun 2016 - Aug 2016

  Selected Participant

  The PPIA Junior Summer Institute (JSI) Fellowship Program is a rigorous academic graduate level preparation program for undergraduate juniors committed to public service careers. The program was started to address the lack of diversity across the spectrum of professional public service, including government, nonprofits, public policy institutions, and international organizations. The purpose of the JSI Fellowship is to prepare students to obtain a Master’s or joint degree, in public policy, public administration, international affairs, or a related field. The JSI curriculum includes economics, statistics, domestic/international policy issues and leadership topics, all designed to sharpen the students’ quantitative, analytic and communication skills. Extracurricular activities are included as well. These skills are vital for admission into the top graduate programs in public and international affairs. The successful completion of a summer institute is a requirement for PPIA Fellows to qualify for graduate school benefits. As an PPIA member responsibilities included: *Conducted systematic investigation using secondary data on topics involving health, economic, and international policy; participated in an intensive seven-week public policy and statistical analysis program. Vis mindre

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  Saint Patrick Roman Catholic School

  Sept 2016 - Dec 2016

  Intern Researcher and Teacher

  While studying abroad in Barbados, I took a course in educational curriculum development and had the opportunity to intern at primary school. Through this experience, I was able to move the curriculum away from teacher-centered learning and shift to classroom to student-centered learning that helped reinforce social concepts through age appropriate play and instruction. Responsibilities included: *Created, developed, and implemented language arts curriculum specific to primary school students (12); introduced and strengthened their understanding of the concept of family through multidisciplinary teaching approaches (i.e., student-centered learning and age appropriate play). Vis mindre

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  UC Irvine

  Dec 2016 - Jun 2017

  Lead Researcher

  The Honors Program in Social and Public Service is designed to allow undergraduates to pursue independent research and write an honors thesis on topics of their choice under the guidance of a faculty members. Research projects typically involve a combination of library research, data analysis, and field research. Responsibilities included: *Conduct independent research on identity formation of Afro-Mexican women *Transcribed +100 hours of English and Spanish semi-structured interviews *Interpreted and transcribed semi-structured interviews into codes *Coded themes into findings and presented findings to faculty members and other researchers Vis mindre

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  All4Ed

  Jan 2017 - Apr 2017

  Policy and Advocacy Intern

  The Alliance for Excellent Education is a national policy, research, and advocacy organization. Its mission is to promote high school transformation to make it possible for every child to graduate prepared for post-secondary education and success in life. The Alliance develops and advocates for research-based national and federal policies that support effective secondary school reform. Specifically, the organization aims to assure that high standards, aligned to college and work readiness, are in place in all schools and that students are provided with the supports they need to attain academic success. The Alliance's efforts are based on the premise that, if given the right environment and tools, every student can achieve. As a policy and advocacy intern my responsibilities included the following: *Assisted staff by conducting legislative research, data mining, developing policy fact sheets, tracking federal legislation, and attending congressional hearings and briefings. *Provide staff with support in research and analysis of various topics, organizations, and key players in the field.*Assisted in the development of case studies of promising practices in education. *Attended conferences, briefings, and forums as a representative of the Alliance and share information about those events with staff. Vis mindre

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  UC Irvine

  Sept 2017 - Jun 2018

  Graduate Student and Teaching Assistant

  The M.A. in Social Science with a concentration in Demographic and Social Analysis offered specialized training in the research skills to address practical problems confronting society, business, government, and the nonprofit sector. Informed by the interdisciplinary field of demography, the program draws on faculty and courses in the Schools of Social Sciences and Social Ecology. As a graduate student my responsibilities included:*Provided data entry, management, analysis, and interpretation of quantitative secondary data *Conducted demographic investigation using secondary data from the California Department of Education*Administered upper division statistical analyses such on secondary data; developed accurate models for prediction and inference; applied demographic methods and analyses (e.g. life table, decomposition, index of dissimilarity) *Presented data analysis and clear interpretation/presentations to faculty members Vis mindre

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  Brandman University

  Jan 2019 - Nov 2019

  Research Analyst

  As a research analyst, I work closely with the Associate Vice Chancellor of Institutional Research and Planning and other members. As member of the Institutional Research and Planning Office, I focus on educational policy analyses, environmental scans, and data reporting in order to support the institutional planning and strategic decision-making of the University. Other responsibilities include: *Organize, maintain, and track internal data files and databases *Collected and analyzed the DEI survey’s qualitative results. *Synthesized DEI qualitative data into clear and accessible *Analyze both internal and external data in order to evaluate current trends for new program/policy implementation and recurring ad-hoc data requests *Complete external surveys (i.e., federal, state, and accreditation) *Review data from internal and external sources for quality assurance and data integrity purposes Vis mindre

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  Soulitate Chai Bar

  Jan 2020 - Sept 2020

  Waitress

  Soulitate Chai Bar is a tea bar interested in creating an inclusive atmosphere for both Danish and internationals through the anthropological medium of visual art, cultural events, music, and chai. *Take customer orders, make tea and cocktails, serve food. *Prepare and clean-up for bar events.*Restock items and handle monetary exchanges.*Train new crew members on daily tasks and how to make tea. *Schedule shifts, create task and contact information sheets.*Daily care of the bar and the reception of customers. Vis mindre

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  Diversity Factor

  Sept 2020 - Feb 2021

  Research and Knowledge Production Intern

  My role is to research and produce accessible information regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organizational environment through different mediums. • Plan and execute the creation of an online DEI resource library from scratch. • Create a 3-month content calendar and produce weekly engaging DEI content on SoMe platforms. • Assist with organizational analysis of inclusion surveys. • Write blog posts regarding DEI issues within organizational settings.

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  Diversity Factor

  Jan 2021 - Jun 2023

  Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Consultant

  Diversity Factor is a Copenhagen-based company that focuses on promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The company is dedicated to helping organisations create more diverse and inclusive environments by offering consulting services, training programs, and resources. I interned with Diversity Factor for 6 months afterwards I was offered a full-time position as DEI consultant.My primary responsibilities as a consultant are to work with clients on custom implementing DEI initiatives within their organisation - trainings, data-based research, designing equitable people processes, and 3-5 year strategy roadmaps. • Supported the development and implementation of diversity and inclusion programs and policies, promoting a more inclusive work environment.• Conducted research on DEI matters and applied relevant data points to advocate for underrepresented or marginalised groups within the organisation.• Collaborated with HR and leadership teams to integrate diversity and inclusion principles into talent acquisition, performance management, and leadership development processes.• Developed and analysed DEI analytics and success metrics to track progress and identify areas for improvement. Vis mindre