Education

• PhD Candidate - Sociology, University of California, Davis, PhD expected October 2009
• M.A. - Sociology, University of California, Davis
• B.A. - Sociology, University of Oregon

Areas of Interest

• Race & Ethnicity
• Social Class
• Education
• Urban Studies
  
• Children, Youth, and Families
• Immigrant and Racial/Ethnic Minorities

Publications

Jones, Melanie T., Amy E.L. Barlow, and Merna Villarejo.  “The Importance of Undergraduate Research for Minority Persistence and Achievement in Biology.”  Forthcoming in The Journal of Higher Education.

Grodsky, Eric and Melanie T. Jones.  2007.  “Real and Imagined Barriers to College Entry: Perceptions of Cost.”  Social Science Research.  36: 745-766.

Research In Progress

2009-10 Post-Doctoral Appointment at University of California, Davis, funded by the William T. Grant Foundation for the project titled, “The Role of Community-Based Organizations in the Lives of Immigrant and Second-Generation Youth”

This project explores the practices of immigrant community organizations and their roles in the development and adaptation of second-generation immigrant youth in San Francisco.

Dissertation: “Class and College Knowledge: How Black Youth Navigate College Options"

In this study, I argue that class differences in how black youth are exposed to college knowledge in family, school, and community daily life influence how they approach preparing for college options, and ultimately, where they end up. This study deals with the complex interplay of racial and class-based perceptions of institutional opportunity as African American youth struggle to meet their college aspirations. 

"Race/Ethnicity and Teacher Expectations of College Attendance"

This paper uses National Education Longitudinal Survey data to investigate the role of racial/ethnic matching between teachers and students in teacher expectations of college attendance.

"Equality in the Classroom?: Race, Class, and Classroom Participation"
This paper examines social class differences in teacher-student relationships and student engagement in the classroom among high school students at a suburban high school.

“Interest or Ideology?: Pan-Racial Work Among Asian American Organizations” with Dina G. Okamoto

Expanding upon the literature on biracial coalitions, which focuses on political outcomes and short-term alliances, we explore how and why racial boundaries are crossed. In this paper, we examine the different ways in which Asian American organizations forge ties with Latino and African American communities. We find that higher levels of pan-racial work are associated with shared ideology, while organizations that cross racial boundaries because of shared interests and statuses engage in less pan-racial work.

Past Research Experience/Appointments

• Research Assistant with Professor Eric Grodsky on “Real and Imagined Barriers to College Entry: Perceptions of Cost.”
• Research Assistant for the NIH Minority Opportunities in Research Evaluation Program, School of Education, University of California, Davis
• Research Assistant with Professor Dina Okamoto on "Weak Ties, Strong Communities?: The Role of Ethnic Networks in the Formation of Pan-Asian Solidarity"

Teaching Experience

Associate Instructor, Department of Sociology, UC Davis

Sociology of Education

Special Group Study for Advanced Undergraduates Courses

Guest Lectures, Department of Sociology, UC Davis

Sociology of Race Relations

Field Research Methods Undergraduate Courses

Advanced Field Research Methods Graduate Seminar

Teaching Assistant Positions and Readerships, Department of Sociology, UC Davis

Sociology of Conflict

Sociology of Race Relations

Introduction to Sociology

Fellowships, Honors, and Awards

• 2008-10 William T. Grant Foundation Supplemental Award for Junior Scholars of Color

• 2008-09 University of California Office of the President Dissertation-Year Fellowship

• 2007-08 UC ACCORD Dissertation Fellowship Grant
• 2004 Graduate Student Research Mentorship Fellowship
• 2004 Consortium for Women and Research Grant
• 2002-04 Ford Family Foundation Graduate Scholar Award