Welcome Dr. Nicole Contreras-Garcia
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Nicole Contreras-García is a researcher specializing in higher education, with a focus on community college student success and transfer pathways. She recently earned her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where her dissertation, chaired by Dr. Xueli Wang, explored the experiences of transfer-intending community college students and the support structures that promote their academic and personal success.
Dr. Contreras-García holds a Master of Science in Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Magna Cum Laude, from the University of California, Los Angeles. She has authored several peer-reviewed publications and book chapters on topics such as student support systems and the experiences of formerly incarcerated students.
Before joining our academic community, Dr. Contreras-García was a Graduate Researcher and Teaching Assistant at UW-Madison. She also served as a Research Assistant at the Madison Area Technical College Transfer Center, where she analyzed qualitative data and developed focus group protocols to explore transfer student experiences.
Dr. Contreras-García’s research and teaching experiences have provided her with valuable insights into student support and academic pathways. She is eager to continue her work in advancing student success in her new role.