Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos Names Dr. Cristina Meléndez As Deputy Chancellor of the Division of Family, Community, and Student Empowerment
NEW YORK – Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos today announced the appointment of Dr. Cristina Meléndez as Deputy Chancellor of the Division of Family, Community, and Student Empowerment for New York City Public Schools (NYCPS).
Dr. Meléndez brings a wealth of experience to this role, beginning at NYCPS as an elementary school teacher in District 9 in 2002 before becoming a founding teacher at a middle school in District 12, both in the Bronx. She has also served as a literacy coach, assistant principal, and achievement coach. Most recently, Dr. Meléndez led the Office of Family and Community Empowerment under the Division of Family and Community Engagement & External Affairs as Executive Director, a position she has held since 2022. In this role, Dr. Meléndez has led on-the-ground efforts to equip families with access to literacy materials, city resources, and a seat at the table by overseeing the nation’s largest and most complex education council election.
In this role, Dr. Meléndez will lead the charge in centering family, community, and student voices, leveraging their expertise to drive student achievement. She will empower families as true partners, fostering meaningful collaboration between schools and communities. Her leadership will encompass transformative initiatives for families such as the NYC Reads Family Ambassador Program as well as Education Councils. Additionally, the Office for Community Supports and Wellness (OCSW), which includes Community Schools, programs and initiatives to support students in temporary housing, health and wellness, and attendance improvement, research and innovation will now be housed under this division. Family and community empowerment is a central theme across each of the OCSW offices. The OCSW is committed to removing barriers by allocating resources that improve engagement and wellness for students and families especially those in our most vulnerable populations.
"Dr. Cristina Meléndez brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this role, along with a deep and genuine care for our families and communities," said Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos. "Family and Community Empowerment is an essential body of work and one of my top priorities as Chancellor, and I have full confidence that Dr. Meléndez is the right leader for this job and this moment. She has already made tremendous strides in our work with families and communities, from launching our Family Literacy Hubs to creating the NYC Reads Family Literacy Ambassadors program. She believes, as I do, in empowering families to be true partners and leaders in our school system."
“Throughout my experience as a parent leader, I have witnessed the profound and transformative impact of Dr. Cristina Meléndez’s work within our school system. Her unwavering dedication to family empowerment and her deep understanding of the diverse needs of our communities make her appointment as Deputy Chancellor for Family and Community Empowerment for NYC Public Schools a truly inspiring choice,” said NeQuan McLean, President of Community Education Council District 16. “Dr. Meléndez exemplifies the principles of authentic family empowerment—a full, equal, and equitable partnership among families, educators, and community partners that drives children’s success from birth through college and career. Her leadership promises to bring meaningful progress for our children and families.”
“I have always known Dr. Meléndez to be the champion of family engagement and empowerment,” said Danielle Derrig, Principal of The Samara School. “Her message that parents are experts on their children has always resonated with me and provided a vision to see the funds of knowledge that each parent brings to our school community as an asset. We are a better school community for it and I am excited to see the influence she can make on a system.”
About Dr. Cristina Meléndez
Dr. Cristina Meléndez holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Policy Analysis and Management from Cornell University. She holds two master’s degrees from Teacher’s College, Columbia University in Organizational Leadership, and Bicultural/ Bilingual Transcultural Education. She completed her doctoral studies at the University of Pennsylvania, with research focusing on examining Latino parenting practices with a specific focus on Dominican families.