The Bay Region COE is settling into its new home at Cabrillo College and under the new leadership of Dr. Marcela Reyes, recently appointed to the director position. As COE director, Marcela and her team are responsible for providing in-depth regional labor market research and workforce data to inform program development at the 28 colleges across the Bay Area.

Marcela’s past research primarily focused on educational policies and programs impacting learning, success, and career paths for various disproportionately impacted students. As part of her new role, she looks forward to addressing how community colleges impact equity gaps in the labor force, specifically as it relates to underserved populations.

Marcela brings 20 years of quantitative and qualitative research experience in K-12 and higher education with her to the COE. In her previous position as a Research and Planning Analyst at Irvine Valley College (IVC), she contributed to initiatives such as AB 705, Guided Pathways, and Student Equity Achievement. In addition, Marcela collaborated with administrators, faculty, and classified professionals across various college aspects to integrate Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility into policies, programs, and processes.

Marcela earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Mathematics from Mount Saint Mary’s University, along with a master’s in Social Research Methodology from UC Los Angeles. She furthered her education at UC Irvine, where she obtained both a master’s and a Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Social Context.