Dr. Jennifer Juárez: Leading Higher Education Policy Impact

Title: Director of Higher Education Policy

Organization: Latino Policy Forum

Age: 39

Dr. Jennifer Juárez is the Director of higher education policy at the Latino Policy Forum. She leads the education team in developing the Forums’ higher education agenda, research, strategies, and outcomes across Illinois.

Dr. Juárez earned a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). She has 20 years of experience working in high schools and higher education institutions. Her research and expertise focus on supporting undergraduate Latina/o/x students, fostering a sense of belonging, promoting academic success programs, and enhancing Hispanic Serving Institutions.

In her previous role co-leading the largest academic success program at UIC, Dr. Juárez led recruitment initiatives for parents and students, co-chaired multiple university committees, and developed a training model for faculty and staff on supporting undocumented students. She also served on various nonprofit, higher education, and legislative committees in Illinois, including in Pilsen, Little Village, and Humboldt Park. Additionally, she founded the first Latina Leadership Institute at UIC.

Dr. Juárez is a recent Fellow of the Chicago Latino Caucus Foundation’s 2023 Leadership Academy. She has demonstrated a strong commitment to the numerous students she has worked with and undergraduate student success across Illinois, which earned her the UIC Award of Merit and the Honoring Our Professors’ Excellence (HOPE) award. Dr. Juárez is an Adjunct Professor at UIC in the Latin American and Latino Studies (LALS) and Sociology departments. She was born on the South Side of Chicago, graduated from Chicago Public Schools, is fluent in Spanish, and is the proud daughter of Mexican immigrants.