Denisa Gándara, Ph.D. is an associate professor of educational leadership and policy at The University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Gándara’s research examines the development of higher education policy decisions and the effects of these decisions on students who have been excluded from and underserved in higher education. An additional line of her research explores how various approaches to funding colleges and universities might promote or hinder social equity. Her work is driven by a desire to expand postsecondary educational opportunities and outcomes for students from marginalized communities.