Richard Lofton, Jr.,  PhD, an assistant professor of education at the Center for Social Organization of Schools and Johns Hopkins University School of Education, is co-principal investigator for the national evaluation of the Student Success Mentor Initiative, which is funded by the Arnold Foundation. The initiative aims to reduce chronic absenteeism, develop caring relationships within schools and increase successful outcomes for students.

His research explores the Black habitus of African American students and parents and the impact of concentrated poverty on homes, schools and communities. His research examines the importance of uncovering systemic inequalities, illuminating agency and developing meaningful relationships with students and their parents for academic success.

He holds a B.A. in Communications from San Jose State University, a M.S. in Communications from University of Utah, a MPhil from the Teachers College at Columbia University, and a Ph.D. from the Teachers College at Columbia University. He recently completed a two-year postdoctoral fellow at the Center for Social Organization of Schools with Johns Hopkins University.