Directors

Dr. Catherine Robert, CERPP co-director, serves as an Assistant Professor in UTA’s Educational Leadership and Policy Studies program. She specializes in human resources topics including employee misconduct, employee turnover, policy design and implementation. Dr. Robert previously served in the K-12 arena at campus, district, and regional levels. Prior to entering higher education, she served as an executive director of human resources in a high-growth school district.
Dr. Yi Leaf Zhang, CERPP co-director, serves as an Associate Professor in UTA’s Educational Leadership and Policy Studies program. Dr. Zhang has developed a strong interest in studying college access and success, especially in the community college context. Her research focuses on community colleges as a gateway to STEM education, transfer students’ educational pathways, and international education in four-year and two-year institutions.