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Melanie Flores
Somos Uno/We Are One Program Director

Dr. Melanie Flores is the Senior Program Director at the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance (PRAA), where she oversees the development and execution of cultural and educational programs that empower diverse communities. In her role, Dr. Flores manages program budgets, grant compliance, and community partnerships, driving PRAA’s mission to preserve and promote Puerto Rican arts and culture.

With over 15 years of experience in education, program management, and grants management, Dr. Flores has successfully raised over $5 million in philanthropic funding to support community-serving organizations. Her expertise spans across program development, career readiness, and equity initiatives focused on improving outcomes for marginalized populations.

Prior to joining PRAA, Dr. Flores played key roles in higher education, where she led Hispanic Serving Institution programs, taught career development, and conducted research on Latina student success and faculty mentorship, with a focus on culturally relevant pedagogy in post-baccalaureate programs. She has served on national advisory councils, including the Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (HACE) and Latinx Digital Leaders Now.

Dr. Flores earned her doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from National Louis University and holds both a Master of Science from DePaul University and a Bachelor of Arts from Northeastern Illinois University. Her scholarly work includes articles on culturally and linguistically relevant education at Hispanic Serving Institutions. Melanie resides in Chicago with her husband and four growing boys. 

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