Resume
Academic Curriculum Vitae
LinkedIn
About Me
  • ​​Innovative and results-oriented policy strategist, social scientist, program evaluator, educator, and writer. 
  • Graduate training and experience in applied mixed-methods research, quantitative analysis, policy  advocacy, ​and the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of government policy and advocacy efforts.
  • Author of numerous reports on policy problems and solutions that have received positive attention from state and national news media (such as the New York Times, Washington Post, NPR), Congress, federal and state agencies, and funders.
  • Proven track record resulting in millions of voter registrations, expanded child nutrition programs, ground-breaking and impactful voting rights litigation, and forming coalitions with solid relationships with state and federal officials and the media.
  • Expertise in voting rights, election policy, anti-poverty and food security programs, program evaluation, and evidenced-based policy analysis.
Research Projects
I have been studying the implementation, enforcement, and impact of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) since 1994, and am one of the few national experts on the Act. I have provided technical assistance on improving implementation of the NVRA to federal officials and numerous states. With civil rights groups , I have identified non-compliant states, provided technical assistance to officials on implementation, advised ground-breaking litigation to enforce the law, and designed remedial strategies for fair implementation of this critical voting rights law. 

Other recent research projects include a study of food access in neighborhoods using a survey from Housing and Urban Development and compiling a historical database of state election policies. I have also studied the relationship between food security and Food & Nutrition Service programs as well as participation in these programs.

My other interests include studying how to advance civically engaged scholarship in political science and ways to incorporate policy analysis and, more broadly, public problem-solving in undergraduate curricula. 
​Teaching and Higher Education​
I have taught policy analysis, political science, and statistics for Grinnell College, Smith College, George Washington University, and Georgetown University. ​ For specifics on courses taught, as well as information on advising, academic service, and research grants, please see my CV at the upper left of this page.
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Research & Teaching Interests
  • Policy Studies, Policy Analysis, & Program Evaluation
  • American Politics and Urban Politics & Social Policy
  • Voting Rights & Election Policy
  • Food Security & Anti-Poverty Policies
  • Community Organizing  & Political Participation
  • Engaged Scholarship​
Education
  • Ph.D. in Public Policy, George Washington University
    • Social and urban policy; urban politics; American politics.
  • M.A. in Policy Studies, Johns Hopkins University (MPP equivalent)
    • Program evaluation; nonprofit management; philanthropy and civil society studies.
  • B.A. in Psychology, Grinnell College.
Policy Consulting Clients
  • Institute for Responsive Government
  • Democracy Fund
  • Wellspring Philanthropic Fund
  • Project Vote
  • Food Research and Action Center
  • ACT Alexandria (Virginia)
  • Rockefeller Family Fund
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