Dr. Melissa Y. Delgado has served as a member of the CFS Board of Directors since 2023, with a leave during Fall 2024-Fall 2025. She is an Associate Professor in the Norton School of Human Ecology at The University of Arizona. A native of the Nogales, Arizona-Sonora border region, she brings a deep appreciation for the diversity of Mexican-heritage children, youth, and families. Her research takes a strengths-based, collaborative approach to understanding how cultural, family, school, and peer contexts shape children’s and adolescents’ development and resilience in the face of challenges, including ethnic discrimination and economic hardship. Her recent work has focused on the role of math and science identity and socialization in relation to ethnic culture, support systems, academic success, and well-being. Passionate about engaging the community in her research and mentoring future scholars, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, Dr. Delgado’s work emphasizes empowering families with the knowledge and resources they need to create nurturing environments where children can thrive, aligning directly with Child & Family Resources’ mission to empower children, youth, and families to build bright, thriving futures.
Contact: mydelgado@arizona.edu