Kizzy Lopez, Ed.D.

• Ed.D., Higher Education Leadership, Azusa Pacific University
• PPSC, Pupil Personnel Services Credential, National University
• M.S., Educational Counseling, National University
• B.A., Interdisciplinary Studies, National University

Interest areas

• Postsecondary education for students with foster care histories 
• Equity for minoritized communities

Major teaching areas

• Social Science Research Methods
• Qualitative Methods
• Thesis courses

Dr. Kizzy Lopez is an Assistant Professor in Social Work. She has 15 years of experience in academic and student affairs as an advocate for educational equity for minoritized students, particularly those who have experienced foster care.

Dr. Lopez is a speaker on educational equity and foster care. She is a TEDx speaker on the topic, The Trauma of Being Black in Foster Care. Dr. Lopez has recently co-authored publications focused on strategies to support college-going foster youth, including Transitional-Age Foster Youth: Getting Them Into and Through College and Fostering Success: Supporting College-Going Foster Youth on Campus. She has been previously recognized for her contributions and received Fresno’s Heroes Unmasked Award, Rosa Parks Award, Child Advocacy Award, and Diversity and Social Justice Advocate Award.

Isaiah 1:17 has been an important scripture that would guide her practice and scholarship. "Learn to do right, seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow."

• Lopez, K. M., Geiger, J. M., Okpych, N. J., Gamez, S. I., & Larregui, D. (2022). The impact of COVID-19 on campus-based support programs serving students with foster care experience: Focus groups with administrators and students. Children and Youth Services Review, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2022
• Gamez, S.I. & Lopez, K. (2021). Fostering success: Programs and practices to serve college-going foster youth on campus. In G. Martin and S. Ardoin (Eds.), Social Class Supports: Examples of Programs and Practices to Serve Poor and Working-Class Students in Higher Education. Stylus Publishing.
• González, J. C. & Lopez, K., (2021, October). Partnerships for raising opportunity in neighborhoods (PRO Neighborhoods): Bringing together CDFIs and CBOs for the benefit of women and minority owned businesses. Fresno, CA: Central Valley Community Foundation
• González, J. C. & Lopez, K. (2020, October). United Way Fresno and Madera Counties Coronavirus Relief Fund Report. Fresno, CA: United Way Fresno and Madera.
• González, J. C. & Lopez, K. (2019, December). Fresno community-based organizations: A focus on eight diverse and dynamic organizations that focus locally and impact regionally. Fresno, CA: Central Valley Community Foundation.