Dr. Nidia Ruedas Gracia

Assistant Professor

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Biography

Nidia Ruedas-Gracia is an Assistant Professor in Educational Psychology at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. She earned her BA in Psychology and Sociology from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), her MA in Human Development and Social Intervention from New York University (NYU), and her PhD in Developmental Psychological Sciences from Stanford University. Ruedas-Gracia's research focuses on understanding the concept of 'belonging' and its effects on life outcomes, academic performance, and mental health, particularly within culturally diverse populations. She examines how social identities including gender, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status influence experiences of belonging. In her lab, she aims to develop culturally-sustaining interventions for historically minoritized college students, with a particular emphasis on first-generation and low-income individuals. Her commitment to informing educational practices through research on sociocultural factors makes her a prominent voice in the field of Educational Psychology.

Research Interests

Courses

EPSY 490: Developments in Educational Psychology EPSY 405: Personality and Social Development EPSY 201: Educational Psychology

Requirements for University of Illinois

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
IELTS
Listening
Required:7
Reading
Required:7
Writing
Required:7
Speaking
Required:7
Overall
Required:7.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:17
Reading
Required:19
Writing
Required:21
Speaking
Required:20
Total
Required:103
GRE General
Prerequisites
Mathematical background Linear Algebra Calculus
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Unofficial transcripts
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Resume/CV
Specialization Notes

GRE is optional for admission to all graduate programs in Statistics. Full status admission requires higher language scores than limited status.