RTI uses cookies to offer you the best experience online. By clicking “accept” on this website, you opt in and you agree to the use of cookies. If you would like to know more about how RTI uses cookies and how to manage them please view our Privacy Policy here. You can “opt out” or change your mind by visiting: http://optout.aboutads.info/. Click “accept” to agree.

Melissa Cominole RTI Expert Headshot
Experts

Melissa Cominole

Senior Research Education Analyst

Education

PhD, Education Research and Policy Analysis, North Carolina State University
MS, Sociology, North Carolina State University
BA, Humanistic Studies, Guilford College

Connect

Melissa Biber Cominole, a senior research education analyst in the Education and Workforce Development division at RTI International, has more than 20 years of experience in data collection design, quantitative and qualitative analysis, dissemination, and task and project management for both federal and foundation clients. For more than 10 years, Dr. Cominole has led large-scale postsecondary education and outcomes studies as well as mixed-methods education evaluations. She has developed strong managerial skills, successfully collaborating with clients, overseeing project schedules and budgets, supervising personnel, and maintaining final responsibility for study quality.

In addition, Dr. Cominole has performed and supervised instrument design and data collection activities, prepared documentation for the federal instrument clearance process, developed and evaluated study methodologies, processed and analyzed study data from multiple sources, and reviewed data quality. She has experience developing web, self-administered, telephone, SMS text, and in-person interview protocols; record abstraction forms; focus group protocols; and mail surveys. Dr. Cominole also has directed education evaluations that involve both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, including surveys, administrative data, interviews, and focus groups. Her research interests include postsecondary education topics involving equity in educational access and attainment; financial aid and student loan debt; and post-attainment outcomes for advanced degree, baccalaureate, and subbaccalaureate students.

Get in Touch

To speak to this expert or inquire about RTI services, you can reach us at +1 919 541 6000 or use the contact form below. For media inquiries, please reach out to our Media Relations team at news@rti.org.

Blue background circle graphics