Melissa Hernández Jasso

Research Interests: International migration; immigrant integration; higher education; legal stratification; social policy; work and organizations; North America  

Melissa Hernández Jasso is a doctoral candidate in Sociology focusing on immigration and immigrant integration. Her dissertation examines how educational attainment and legal status jointly shape the trajectories of Mexican immigrants in the United States, using a mixed methods approach. Drawing on theories of illegality, educational stratification, and social citizenship, she seeks to understand how immigrants access services and institutions amid heightened enforcement, shaping their wellbeing and sense of belonging.

She is a Stone Fellow in Inequality and Social Policy and was a Fulbright García-Robles recipient. Originally from Mexico City, she received her B.A. in International Relations with highest honors from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Prior to her graduate studies, Melissa worked in human rights and global affairs at the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs and at Article 19's Office for Mexico and Central America. She has also held research affiliations at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy (University of Toronto), the City Institute at York University, and the Center for Research on North America at UNAM.

Previous Degrees:

A.M., Sociology, Harvard University (2025)
B.A., International Relations, with honors, The National Autonomous University of Mexico (2021)