Ximena Valverde is a Research Assistant for the Learning & Development Group and has supported projects that aim to better understand student experiences and how schools can use the Cultivate tool to guide school improvement. She is currently a joint BA/MA student at the University of Chicago, where she plans to receive a BA in Public Policy with a minor in Education and Society, and an MA in Sociology. Her main research interests are urban education, immigration policies, student motivation, and adolescent development. Originally from California, Ximena enjoys hiking and being outdoors whenever she can.