Nidia Ruedas-Gracia

Nidia Ruedas-Gracia is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. She earned her PhD in Developmental and Psychological Sciences from Stanford University, MA in Human Development and Social Intervention from New York University, and BA in Psychology and Sociology from UCLA.

• Research Focus: Investigates sense of belonging and its impact on academic performance and mental health among culturally diverse populations, with emphasis on historically minoritized students and first-generation/low-income (FLI) populations.
• Theoretical Frameworks: Applies Validation Theory and university belonging models to examine mentoring experiences and social identity intersections (gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status).

Key Publications (2015-2024) analyze:

• Racial-ethnic-cultural belonging
• STEM support systems for FLI students
• Psychological impacts of discrimination
• Longitudinal belonging trends
• Culturally-sustaining interventions
• Mentoring frameworks in Hispanic-serving institutions

As Affiliate of the Center for Social & Behavioral Science and Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute, she bridges psychological research with educational policy. Her work emphasizes holistic mentoring practices and institutional accountability for marginalized student success.