Melinda Mechur Karp

Dr. Melinda Mechur Karp is the Founder of Phase Two Advisory, a consultancy working with community colleges to apply research to their transformation efforts. At Phase Two, she collaborates with foundations, colleges, and institutional learning networks to design and implement equity-forward policies, practices, and habits that improve student outcomes. She also oversees applied research projects, as well as Phase Two's business development, budget, staffing, and operations.

Karp is an affiliate faculty member in the Community College Leadership Program at New Jersey City University and serves on a variety of local and national advisory boards. She is the past chair of the Institute on Education Sciences’ What Works Clearinghouse Practice Guide on Effective Advising for Postsecondary Students panel and serves on the inaugural editorial board of the Journal of Postsecondary Student Success. Karp received her Ph.D. in the Sociology of Education from Columbia University, an M.A. in the same field from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies from Cornell University.

Dr. Karp was the assistant director of the Community College Research Center (CCRC), Teachers College, Columbia University. While at CCRC, she led a broad research portfolio focused on students’ entry into college; student services redesign; and the relationship between college and career. Dr. Karp also supported the Center’s growth as part of its leadership team, overseeing internal policies, staffing, and professional learning opportunities, as well as by working directly with funders.

The proud granddaughter of refugees and a native New Yorker, Dr. Karp lives in Denver, CO, with her husband and two teenage children.