Florie Mendiola, Ed.D., a proud CHamoru, was born and raised on the beautiful island of Rota, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). She is the daughter of Lucas and Rosalin Mendiola, a member of the Casa Mayot and Tugong family clan, and the mother of Marley Jade Mendiola Terlaje. Growing up on an island spanning just 32 square miles with fewer than 2,000 residents, Florie’s deep love for her community shaped her life’s mission: to ensure that all students, especially those from underserved backgrounds, are seen, valued, and supported as they pursue their dreams.

She descends from a lineage of master navigators who, 3,000 years ago, braved over 2,000 miles of open ocean in search of a new home—one that would sustain their loved ones and safeguard the survival of their people. Today, Florie carries forward that legacy, navigating new and unfamiliar spaces to create opportunities, uplift future generations, and guide the next wave of voyagers toward a brighter future.

With over 20 years of experience in education, nonprofit leadership, and advocacy, Dr. Mendiola has dedicated her career to advancing equity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. She has led national advocacy for Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), spearheaded research initiatives to strengthen institutional support for students, and cultivated partnerships that address critical barriers to student access and success. Across regional, national, and international platforms, she has championed educational equity, workforce development, and community well-being.

Dr. Mendiola’s leadership includes directing high-impact research initiatives, managing a multi-million-dollar funding portfolio, and strengthening institutional capacity to support students. Committed to fostering cross-sector collaboration, she works to influence policy reform, amplify underrepresented voices, and enhance the visibility of historically underserved communities. Her unwavering dedication to sustainable, community-driven solutions reflects her deep belief in the transformative power of education and opportunity.

At her core, Dr. Mendiola is a storyteller and an advocate, weaving the resilience and aspirations of her people into everything she does. Grounded in the CHamoru value of Inafa’maolek—to make things better—she believes that every individual has something to contribute and that, through collective effort, we can create a more just and equitable future. She remains devoted to breaking barriers, cultivating leadership, and forging pathways that empower and uplift communities for generations to come.

Dr. Mendiola holds an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine University, an M.Ed. from the University of Portland, and a B.A. in Secondary Education from the University of Guam.