Annel Tagarao

Annel Medina Tagarao is an Educational Research Assessment Analyst in the Research and Institutional Effectiveness Office at Mt. San Antonio College (2012 to present).  This includes spending the last 11 years in a college setting conducting a variety of research, data collection, data analysis, and reporting of data to provide information and assistance for institutional planning issues, decision-making, and program planning data in institutional research.  In addition, Annel is a multi-faceted researcher who is called upon to help with various projects including supporting student learning outcomes and the U.S. Department of Education longitudinal student cohort needs.  Annel’s research interests include issues related to institutional effectiveness, qualitative research, and structures of opportunity for different students.  She obtained her Ph.D. and M.A. in Educational Policy Studies with a focus on Sociology of Education from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and BA in Sociology and Political Science from University of California, Irvine (UCI).  Her graduate studies focused on understanding the educational views of Mexican immigrant mothers in the Midwest.  As a sophomore, her first research project was funded at UCI for $80 where she interviewed custodians in the on-campus residence halls to understand their working conditions.  The $80 covered copying and cassette tape costs.  This was the first of several opportunities to participate in research as a college student.  She enjoyed living in Illinois for 6 years for graduate school.  Both experiences shaped her life in a profound way and she remains in close contact with a group of graduate school and college friends.  She enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children as well as friends and family.