Dr. Lorelle Espinosa, senior analyst
BETHESDA, MD — Dr. Lorelle Espinosa, senior analyst at Abt Associates, has won a 2012 Endeavour Executive Award from the Australian government to work with Australian leaders and policymakers on issues in higher education, with an emphasis on increasing opportunities in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
The Australia Endeavour Awards are the Australian Government’s internationally competitive, merit-based scholarship program providing study, research or professional development opportunities between Australia and the world. Espinosa will be co-hosted by the LH Martin Institute at the University of Melbourne and the National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education at the University of South Australia from October to November 2012.
“Both the United States and Australia face similar challenges when it comes to increasing the number of STEM degrees and removing barriers to help students from all backgrounds succeed in STEM fields. This is a critical issue to our national interest in innovation, economic growth and global competitiveness,” Espinosa said.
Dr. Espinosa will work with Australian policymakers and educational leaders to explore strategies for making higher education more equitable while strengthening the pipeline of students seeking careers in STEM fields.
“We are proud to have Dr. Espinosa recognized as a leader in the field of higher education and STEM policy, and to have received this scholarship from the Australian government,” said Katie Heintz, vice president for Abt’s Social and Economic Policy Division.
Espinosa holds an M.A. and Ph.D. in education with a specialization in higher education and organizational change from the University of California Los Angeles. She has experience in undergraduate education administration at the University of California Davis, Stanford University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
About Abt Associates
Abt Associates is a mission-driven, global leader in research and program implementation in the fields of health, social and environmental policy, and international development. Known for its rigorous approach to solving complex challenges, Abt Associates was ranked as one of the top 20 global research firms in 2011 and also named one of the top 40 international development innovators. The company has multiple offices in the U.S. and program offices in nearly 40 countries. www.abtassociates.com