Maria Luna-Duarte

María E. Luna-Duarte serves as Associate Dean for Student Success and Clinical Assistant Professor in Educational Policy Studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). She holds a Ph.D. in Policy Studies in Urban Education from UIC, following a Master's in Educational Leadership and a bachelor's in Sociology from Northeastern Illinois University. Her career includes roles at the Consulate General of México in Chicago, the Chicago ENLACE Partnership (W.K. Kellogg Foundation grant), and over twelve years as Director of Student Support Services at Northeastern Illinois University's El Centro campus. She is also an adjunct faculty member in the ENLACE Higher Education Program.

Her mission focuses on advancing educational access and opportunities for minoritized populations, particularly Latino communities, through policy advocacy and student support initiatives. Her work emphasizes transforming educational systems to empower marginalized groups to pursue higher education and achieve professional success.