Rita T. Karam

Rita T. Karam is a Senior Policy Researcher and Faculty member at the RAND School of Public Policy. She holds a Ph.D. in Education from the University of California, Riverside. Her work focuses on postsecondary education reforms, K–12 restructuring, college-industry partnerships, workforce development, and career pathways alignment. She employs mixed methods to assess program implementation and student outcomes, emphasizing policy coherence and systemic impacts.

Her research spans international education initiatives, including collaborations in Georgia, Palestine, and the Middle East. She has advised stakeholders at local and state levels, provided technical assistance to colleges, and served on RAND's Institutional Review Board. Key areas of interest include dual enrollment programs, STEM education, and early childhood development.

Rita's recent articles highlight community college strategies, political violence impacts on youth, and AI-driven workforce policies. Her work underscores the importance of aligning education systems with labor market needs and fostering sustainable partnerships between institutions and industries.