Ana Lucia Fonseca

“What if every learning space was designed to awaken the power within each individual—so that belonging was not something we sought externally, but something we nurtured from the inside out, connecting our lived experiences to systems of change and community impact?”

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Dr. Ana Lucia Fonseca is a social psychologist and education strategist dedicated to unlocking how people learn and thrive in complex systems. With a Ph.D. in Equity in Education and over 15 years of experience across the United Nations, government, and academia, she has designed and led initiatives that turn research into transformative learning experiences for diverse communities.

She is the creator of belonginat—a framework for understanding the intuitive, relational, and creative capacities learners use to succeed in the face of challenges. Her scholarship reveals that meaningful education is not just about transferring knowledge, but about cultivating environments where curiosity, trust, and connection fuel growth.

In her role as Civil Rights Strategist for Oregon State University’s Division of Extension and Engagement, Dr. Fonseca has led statewide efforts that expand access to STEM, youth programs, and community learning—launching Oregon’s first bilingual Extension platform and co-founding the National Civil Rights Compliance Collaborative. Her work bridges data and human insight, ensuring that learning spaces are both rigorous and deeply inclusive.

Driven by the belief that every learner brings valuable knowledge to the table, Dr. Fonseca designs systems where education becomes a catalyst for innovation, equity, and long-term impact.