About MDRC
Dukes is a research analyst in MDRC’s Postsecondary Education policy area. Since joining MDRC in 2016, Dukes has worked with open- and broad-access postsecondary institutions to implement and evaluate programs designed to support low-income students and students of color. She primarily coordinates operational support for random assignment evaluations, conducts implementation research, and provides project management on projects such as the Men of Color College Achievement Study, Evidence to Action, and the Florida Achieving the Dream Study. Dukes holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Columbia University.
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MDRC Publications
ReportEarly Implementation Findings from a Study of the Male Student Success Initiative
November, 2020Men of color complete college at lower rates than their fellow students. To help overcome this gap, many colleges have programs offering academic and social support to male students of color. This report summarizes MDRC’s evaluation of one such program at the Community College of Baltimore County.
ReportFindings from a National Survey and Interviews with Postsecondary Institutions
November, 2019This report, based on a national survey of two- and four-year colleges, examines the current state of practices in developmental education assessment, placement, instruction, and support services offered to students. Reform efforts have accelerated, but new practices still reach less than half of students.
ReportFindings from the Dana Center Mathematics Pathways Impact Study
November, 2019This instructional reform diversifies math course content so that it better aligns with students’ career interests. After three semesters, the reform increased developmental math students’ rates of taking and passing college-level math and accumulating math credits. Few effects have yet emerged on overall credit accumulation, degree receipt, or transfer to a four-year college.
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Other Publications
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Projects
Over the past two decades, a growing body of research has increased knowledge about what works to help students succeed in college and earn a degree. MDRC and other researchers have built evidence around programs, practices, and policies designed to support students in financial aid, developmental education, comprehensive student support programs, and other areas....
Men of color bring a variety of strengths and assets to their college experience. However, research to date indicates that three primary hurdles inhibit college completion for many male students of color:
Inadequate social, emotional, and campus support
Insufficient college preparation and academic achievement
Nonacademic barriers to persistence...
Alexander Mayer, Elizabeth Zachry Rutschow, Dan Cullinan, Evan Weissman, Michael J. Weiss, John Diamond, Rashida Welbeck, Dominique DukesThe Center for the Analysis of Postsecondary Readiness ( CAPR ) conducts research to document current practices in developmental English and math education across the United States and to rigorously evaluate innovative assessment and instructional practices. CAPR , led by MDRC and the Community College Research Center, is funded by the federal Institute of Education Sciences.