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Melissa Bardo

Associate Director of Policy and Government Relations

Melissa Bardo (she/her/hers) is the Associate Director of Policy and Government Relations for EdTrust-West. Overseeing the higher education portfolio for the Policy and Government Relations office, Melissa advocates at the state and local levels for policies promoting equitable access and higher education success.

Melissa has worked in education policy for over five years in various roles, including as a Legislative Aide to a California State Senator, a Legislative Analyst at the California Student Aid Commission, and most recently, a Legislative Analyst at the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. Melissa has developed policy expertise in college affordability and extensive experience with the legislative, budget, and political processes that comprise California’s governance.

Melissa’s commitment to advancing educational justice is rooted in her experiences as a hearing-impaired and first-generation college student. While in college, Melissa was also deeply involved in student advocacy, which led her to discover her passion for policy, advocacy, and social justice. Melissa was privileged to experience the transformational power of higher education and now works to ensure college students across California have that same opportunity, especially those underserved by our education systems.

A proud product of two public higher education systems, Melissa holds a B.S. in Biological Sciences from Sacramento State and a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from the University of California, Davis. She also has a Graduate Certificate in Applied Policy and Government from Sacramento State. Melissa resides in Sacramento with her husband, daughter, and the family dog.

 

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  • Sacramento, CA
Higher Ed
College Access
Dual Enrollment Programs
Legislative & Budget Advocacy

At EdTrust-West, we believe a different California is possible:

a California that ensures that Black, Latinx, Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Native American students’ futures are as bright as their dreams are big. We believe that our state’s schools, colleges, and universities can form the bedrock of a more just California.

Committed to advancing policies and practices to dismantle the racial and economic barriers embedded in California’s education system.

California Offices: Oakland, Los Angeles, Sacramento

National Office: EdTrust

State Offices: EdTrust-New York, EdTrust-Tennessee, EdTrust-Midwest

Tel: 510.465.6444

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Karla Fernandez

Communications Manager

Karla Fernandez (she/her/hers) joins Ed Trust–West as a Communications Manager with over 11 years of experience advancing social impact initiatives.

Karla started her career as a teacher at Chicago Public Schools and UIC College Prep. After teaching, Karla joined United Friends of the Children to support LA County’s youth in foster care as a college counselor. Through Leadership for Educational Equity, Karla also served as a Policy Advisor Fellow for the office of a Los Angeles Unified School Board Member. She solidified her interests in policy analysis and quantitative research during her time with the Price Center for Social Innovation, the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, and the USC Presidential Working Group on Sustainability. Before joining The Education Trust–West, Karla was the Associate Director for the Southeast Los Angeles (SELA) Collaborative, a network of nonprofits advocating for communities in SELA.

Karla holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology from the University of Chicago, a Master of Public Policy from the USC Price School of Public Policy, and a Graduate Certificate in Policy Advocacy from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Karla is based out of southern California and is passionate about using data analysis, communications, and digital strategies for policy advocacy and social justice efforts.