Carolina Cárdenas Costilla, Ed.D.

Bio

Dr. Carolina Cárdenas Costilla brings more than three decades of experience in higher education policy, access, and student success across California’s public university systems. She currently serves as Executive Director of California GEAR UP and the Intersegmental Coordinating Committee (ICC) for the California Education Round Table. The ICC, housed at the University of California, provides statewide leadership and coordination among California’s education segments, while the federally funded California GEAR UP project is administered by the University of California (UC) to advance college readiness for students from low-income communities.

In this dual role, Dr. Cárdenas Costilla oversees implementation of the newly renewed seven-year, $66 million California GEAR UP grant, leading collaborative initiatives that strengthen academic preparation and opportunity across the state.

Prior to her current role, Dr. Cárdenas held several senior leadership positions at the California State University Office of the Chancellor, where she directed academic preparation and supported outreach policy and programs, including the Early Assessment Program, Early Start, the Quantitative Reasoning initiative, and the CSU Graduation Initiative 2025. Earlier in her career, she also led federally funded college access programs such as GEAR UP and Upward Bound at CSU San Marcos.

A first-generation college graduate and long-time advocate for educational equity, Dr. Cárdenas Costilla has devoted her career to building partnerships among K–12 schools, community colleges, and universities to expand postsecondary opportunity. She earned her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from California State University, Fullerton, and her Master of Public Administration from San Diego State University.

As Practitioner in Residence, Dr. Cárdenas brings her deep experience in policy, program design, and intersegmental collaboration to prepare the next generation of public service leaders.

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