Toyoda (she/her) is a research analyst in MDRC’s Postsecondary Education policy area, where she specializes in qualitative and implementation research on programs that serve student populations facing barriers to postsecondary access and success. Past projects include Supporting Women Students of Color in Higher Education and Practice and Promising Practices for Supporting Part-Time Community College Students. She currently conducts qualitative research and analysis for projects such as Fostering Education and Training for People with Criminal Records and Work Experience for Community College Students. She also supports randomized controlled trial (RCT) operations and implementation research for Montana-10 and provides technical assistance on the Descriptive Study of Contracted Virtual Mental Health Services in Colleges.
Before joining MDRC in 2022, Toyoda was assistant editor of the arts and culture section of Binghamton University’s campus newspaper and active in intersectional-feminist organizing. Her undergraduate thesis on the intersectional struggles of Asian American women inspired her passion for qualitative research. Toyoda holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and political science from Binghamton University.
