UCLA Ed&IS research/policy partner adds new leadership at pivotal moment for education
Lupita Cortez Alcalá has been appointed as the new executive director of Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE), an independent, non-partisan research center led by faculty directors at the University of California Los Angeles, the University of California Davis, Stanford University, the University of Southern California, and the University of California Berkeley. Alcalá will work closely with PACE Faculty directors Cecilia Rios-Aguilar of UCLA, Ben Domingue at Stanford University, Michal Kurlaender at UC Davis, Julie Marsh at USC, and Michelle Young at UC Berkeley to inspire and lead the next chapter of PACE’s journey as well as to broaden its impact.
For over 40 years, PACE has bridged research, policy and practice in California, working in partnership with state and local policymakers and system leaders to bring rigorous research to bear on policies and practices that advance equity and improve outcomes for all of California’s students.
“Lupita is the right leader for PACE in this moment. Her lived experiences, policy expertise, and commitment to public education and equity are essential to the success and sustainability of our organization at this moment,” said Professor Rios-Aguilar, chair of the UCLA Department of Education at the UCLA School of Education and Information Studies, in announcing the appointment.
With more than 25 years of leadership experience in California education policy, Alcalá brings deep expertise, unwavering commitment to educational equity, and proven ability to bridge the worlds of education research, policy, and practice to her new position at PACE.
Alcalá assumes leadership at a pivotal moment for California’s education system as it faces both the challenge of ongoing post-pandemic renewal and the strain of navigating a shifting and increasingly polarized political landscape. At a time marked by diminished federal commitment to public education as well as growing division over the direction of education, rigorous research is needed to inform policy decisions that affect the lives of students, families, and educators across the state. Meeting this moment requires more than evidence alone: it demands a concerted effort to mobilize the research community around the urgent task of informing policy with clarity, relevance, and purpose.
In light of the evolving educational landscape and pressing need for research to meaningfully shape policy, PACE has intentionally turned to a leader with not only demonstrated experience leading California’s education systems but also the strategic insight required to respond thoughtfully to today’s challenges.
“Now more than ever, it’s important to be unapologetic about the value of research—its power to drive innovation and its transformational education and economic impacts,” said Alcalá on her new position. “I look forward to leading PACE to elevate that message and ensure that evidence-based insights guide strategic policy decisions, strengthen educational systems, and expand opportunities for all learners.”
Alcalá previously made history as the first Latina chief deputy superintendent at the California Department of Education. She has also held executive roles at the California Student Aid Commission, where she championed college affordability and financial aid reform. Most recently, she served as director of education policy and outcomes at WestEd, where she co-led the development of the California Master Plan for Early Learning and Care.
A first-generation college student and multilingual learner, Alcalá has a personal understanding of the transformative power of public education. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California, San Diego, and a master’s degree in planning administration and social policy from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
“I cannot imagine a better leader for PACE in the period ahead,” says former PACE Executive Director Heather Hough. “I have long admired Lupita’s deep knowledge of California’s education landscape and her unwavering commitment to students. Her experience, vision, and dedication make her the right person to guide PACE’s next chapter, strengthening its influence and helping California meet the challenges ahead.