Proven expertise to help your institution & students prosper.

Dr. Derek Lopez has over 23 years of experience empowering people and expanding institutional/organizational capacity by securing grants, improving student success, increasing retention and graduation rates as well as developing, implementing, and assessing strategic plans and other campus and system-wide initiatives.

Services

Grant Writing

Dr. Derek Lopez has an excellent record of securing grants, and he works in a collaborative and supportive manner with clients to develop an impactful proposal that can enhance your institution/organization. He has authored, secured, implemented, supervised, and evaluated over 181 million dollars in grant funding from federal, state, local, and private entities. 

Retention Consultation

Dr. Derek Lopez can implement a comprehensive assessment and evaluation of retention efforts on your campus and develop strategies based upon best practices that will enhance retention on your campus. He has achieved record breaking retention rates in his own work and in his work with clients. He is skilled at engaging faculty, staff, and students in campus-wide efforts that improve retention, graduation, career placement, student satisfaction, and faculty engagement.

External Evaluation

Dr. Derek Lopez has worked with numerous clients to assess and evaluate grant implementation and ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. His work with clients helps to maximize the impact of the grant while leveraging funding to increase the capacity of the organization/institution to serve. He assists Project Directors and Principal Investigators with navigating grant requirements, assessing institutional/organizational needs, and engaging in creative and collaborative problem solving to meet grant goals and expand institutional capacity.

Strategic Planning for HSIs and Emerging HSIs

Dr. Derek Lopez has spent his career at Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) and focused his efforts on expanding institutional capacity to serve Hispanic, low-income, and diverse students. He has developed, implemented, and assessed strategic plans and campus-wide initiatives at HSIs. Dr. Lopez can also assist emerging HSIs with maximizing their potential to achieve HSI status through the development of strategic initiatives that positively impact institutional goals and are inclusive of diverse populations.

Meet Dr. Lopez

Dr. Derek Lopez earned his Ph.D. at Stanford University with a focus on Educational Psychology.  He has over 23 years of experience writing, securing, implementing, and evaluating grants from federal, state, local, and private sources. To date, Dr. Lopez has authored, implemented, supervised, and evaluated over 181 million dollars of grant funded programs with institutions and organizations across the United States. His experience as an External Evaluator, Project Director, and Principal Investigator has fostered a wide network of experts to draw from when projects require a team approach.

Notable achievements:

  • 181 million dollars in grant funding from federal, state, local, and private entities as author, Project Director, Principal Investigator, supervisor,  and/or external evaluator

  • Record enrollment and retention rates

  • Experience with numerous campus-wide initiatives and strategic plans 

  • Published author in peer reviewed journals focused on higher education

  • Ph.D. - Educational Psychology - Stanford University School of Education

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    "Derek provided excellent technical assistance and evaluation services for our Title V grant. In addition to virtual site visits, he facilitated student focus groups and helped communicate the results to our college and partner institution, along with recommendations for improvement based on the qualitative data. I appreciated his quick responses to my questions and ongoing guidance to ensure grant performance and compliance. "

    — ANN ENDRIS | HSI Grant Project Director, Cabrillo College

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    "Dr. Derek Lopez has been an invaluable consultant to Saint Xavier University’s grants department, guiding us through various aspects of grant development and helping us manage over $10 million in Title V and Title III grants. Dr. Lopez provided innovative ideas for increasing retention and graduation rates as well as best practices tailored to our university's needs. Throughout the years, Dr. Lopez has conducted site visits not only to ensure that we continue to work towards achieving the goals of the grant, but to also meet with the grant staff, to listen to their stories, and to provide guidance and encouragement. His support and encouragement have greatly influenced my professional development."

    IMELDA MACIAS, Ed.D. | Assistant Vice President, Saint Xavier University

Unlock your potential today

Let Dr. Derek Lopez help you so your institution or organization can focus on doing what you do best.