Biography

M. Meghan Raisch, PhD, is currently an assistant professor of instruction in the Advocacy and Organizational Development program with a secondary affiliation within Human Development and Community Engagement (HDCE) at Temple University’s College of Education and Human Development. Previously, she served at the College of Education and Human Development as a research administrator on the Choice Neighborhood Initiative that was awarded by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development to revitalize North Central Philadelphia. In this role, she allocated educational resources and programming into the surrounding community and schools by coordinating the efforts of university departments, city agencies, the public school district, and non-profit organizations. The highlight of her place-based work includes the development of a community-led model for delivering Out-of-School Time (OST) education in a neighborhood community center. As the university-based coordinator of this after-school program and summer camp, Dr. Raisch worked alongside the residents of the community to co-design and co-facilitate professional development among the staff on instructional strategies, differentiated assessment, and positive behavior management. She continues to serve as program director of the 21st Century Community Learning Center that provides after-school programming and summer camp to K-8 students in two elementary schools adjacent to main campus.

Dr. Raisch is also the co-founder of the Urban Youth Leadership Academy (UYLA), a college access program aimed at enhancing the leadership skills and civic mindedness within middle school students of color.

Previously, she was a teacher in the School District of Philadelphia where she instructed students labeled with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders and Learning Disabilities. Dr. Raisch holds a PhD in educational psychology from Temple University, a master’s in elementary and special education, and a bachelor’s in English and secondary education from Saint Joseph’s University.

Research Interests

• Action Research
• Adult Education/Development
• Urban Education