Luisiana Meléndez is a clinical professor at Erikson Institute, where she contributes to several initiatives centering on the preparation and professional development of practitioners working with linguistically and culturally diverse children and families. Her current research projects include a case study of an early childhood center implementing a dual language program and an examination of the impact of remote teaching on the subsequent classroom practice of teachers of young children.

Dr. Meléndez is also the co-author of a competency-based credential for early childhood practitioners working with bilingual and multilingual children and families offered in many Illinois institutions of higher education through Gateways to Opportunity, the Illinois Professional Development System.

In addition, Dr. Meléndez has extensive experience working with local and state-wide advocacy groups, and in June of 2022 concluded a three-year term as a member of the Chicago Board of Education. She also currently serves in the Chicago Consortium for School Research Steering Committee and in the Early Childhood Committee of the Illinois Bilingual Advisory.