Wendy Y. Perez is a Senior Research Associate at the NYU Metro Center. A bilingual daughter of Ecuadorian immigrants, she was inspired to pursue research by Los Angeles communities fighting for systemic change during her time as an education policy advocate. Her research projects have totaled over $5 million, including funding from the W.T. Grant Foundation, the Spencer Foundation, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and the Gates Foundation. Dr. Perez has focused on participatory and asset-based studies that elevate the voices of youth, families, and communities in K-12 and higher education. She has served as a project lead or researcher on several youth- and family-focused projects, including building a parent leadership evaluation network and a racial equity peer learning community, examining intergenerational civic initiatives and power-building, and studying how youth organizations shape positive outcomes, such as racial identity development and college success. Dr. Perez has a Ph.D. in Education from the UCLA Graduate School of Education & Information Studies, a Master’s Degree in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Pomona College.
Selected Publications
- Perez, W.Y., Geller, J.D., DeSouza, L.M., & Jackson, A. (2025). Reflections on Intergenerational Participatory Action Research: Best Practices and Challenges. PRE Research Brief. New York: Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools at New York University.
- Perez, W.Y. (2023). Greater Rochester Parent Leadership and Training Institute (PLTI) Advocates for Increasing Teacher Diversity in Monroe County, NY. Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools, New York University.
- Perez, W.Y. (2023). Organizers in the Land of Enchantment (OLÉ): Centering Racial and
Language Equity with Parent Leaders in New Mexico. Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools, New York University. Also available in Spanish. - Perez, W.Y., Geller, J., and DeSouza, L. (2023). How PhotoVoice Centered the Civic Experiences of Diverse Families Engaged in the Children's and Parent Leadership Training Institute. Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools, New York University.
- Perez, W. Y. & McAlister, S. (2021). Youth organizing: Building critical skills for thriving in college. PRE Research Brief: Student and Families Voices #1. Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools, New York University.
- Perez, W.Y., Knox, J. & Harris-Wilkerson, E. (2021). Expanding the Equity Conversation for Pathways to College: A Literature Review of College Access and College Readiness Research 2014-2021. Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools, New York University.
- Malone H.S., McAlister, S., & Perez, W.Y. (2024). Navigating Intersectionality and Positionality Within Black and Latinx Youth Organizing Spaces.