Program Associate, State Leadership & Policy Development

Cristina Marks joined the Achieve staff in April 2011 and currently serves as a Program Associate for State Leadership & Policy Development. Cristina is responsible for research, writing, and project management in support of Achieve’s American Diploma Project Network. Cristina also assists in providing targeted transition and implementation support to PARCC states as they advance the broader college-and career-ready policy agenda and strengthen stakeholder engagement.

Before joining Achieve, Cristina taught middle school in Gainesville, Florida for three years. In her role, Cristina was actively involved in the PTA and helped develop an initiative to strategically implement literacy across content areas. Cristina earned her master’s degree in Education Policy from The George Washington University, Graduate School of Education and Human Development and received a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Florida. Originally from Florida, Cristina, her husband, and their dog live in the District of Columbia.