Name: Arianna Mendez
Hometown: Cranston, RI
Program: Urban Education Policy
Education: B.A., Early Childhood Education - Rhode Island College
What has been your favorite UEP class and why?
This is a tough question! Ultimately, I’d have to say my favorite class was Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation with Professor Papay. The course built on foundational skills from the summer and pushed us to apply data-analytic methods to evaluate programs. Being able to deepen that knowledge, both professionally and academically, made me genuinely excited for class each week. By the end of the semester, it felt bittersweet for it to end. I found myself thinking more critically about research and how it translates into real decisions within education systems.
Where is your internship placement, and what are you working on?
My internship is with the Rhode Island Department of Education in the Office of College and Career Readiness, where I’ve focused on Career and Technical Education. I’ve supported program approval processes and participated in charter renewal and civil rights monitoring reviews, which has given me both an in-person and analytical understanding of how programs are evaluated and held accountable at the state level. Teaching was first introduced to me through a child development career and technical program, so this experience has felt full circle and strengthened my passion for equitable access to college and career readiness opportunities.
What drew you to Brown?
One thing that’s true about most Rhode Islanders is the pride we have for our state. Growing up, I always noticed how involved Brown students and UEP alumni are not just in campus life, but in the broader community. That energy, combined with the charm of Providence, is what really drew me to Brown. If I could give one piece of advice, it would be to live on campus - you won’t regret it.
What is one way you center yourself or work on your mental health while being a graduate student with many other responsibilities?
For me, it comes down to balance and being intentional about my time away from academics. That’s usually quality time with my classmates. I recharge most by spending time with them - whether that’s going to Brown events like jazz band, mariachi, and Mezcla, or just being together outside of campus. I’ve also leaned on the support systems at Brown, including the career center, my program director, and my advisor. Having people who are genuinely invested in your success has helped me stay grounded. And when I need quiet time, I usually go to the Rockefeller Library. The graduate space overlooking Providence is one of my favorite places to decompress.
How has Brown prepared you for your career? What additional job skills have you gained?
The UEP program placed me directly in the work each semester. Over the summer, in the systems and governance course taught by Professor Wong, we examined how education policy is shaped and implemented across local, state, and federal levels. As part of that, I worked in the Central Falls mayoral office alongside the education strategy team during a pivotal moment as the city worked to regain local control after decades of state receivership. In an elective focused on community-driven evaluation, we examined who defines success in programs and how culture and context should shape that process. Through that work, we had the opportunity to partner with a Rhode Island organization to apply a more culturally responsive approach to monitoring and evaluation. Across these experiences, I’ve developed a way of working that’s both community-informed and strategic, learning how to navigate institutions, ask better questions, and interpret how decisions actually play out for the communities they’re meant to serve.
[Finish this sentence] Faculty at Brown are…
Thoughtful!