Mica Pollock, an anthropologist and design researcher, is Professor of Education Studies and Director of the Center for Research on Educational Equity, Assessment, and Teaching Excellence (CREATE) at the University of California, San Diego. As CREATE Director, Pollock works with colleagues to network UCSD's people, resources and opportunities to the diverse K-12 educators, students, and families of the San Diego region, with the particular goal of supporting low-income, underrepresented students toward college and rewarding careers.

Pollock’s own research explores how diverse communities can come together in student support efforts. In multiple projects based in schools, districts, cities, community organizations, and the government, Pollock has asked how people might communicate so they can work together to support every young person’s talent development. A forthcoming book for educators, Schooltalking: Communicating for Equity in Schools, compiles her 20 years of work on this issue. Her current work explores how to leverage a university as a hub for sharing opportunities to learn in a diverse community.