Resume
Academic Curriculum Vitae
​​Innovative and results-oriented policy strategist, social scientist, and writer. 
  • Author of numerous reports that have received positive attention in the national news media and from Congress, federal and state agencies, and grant-making organizations.
  • Proven track record resulting in millions of voter registrations, expanded child nutrition programs, impactful voting rights litigation, and coalitions with solid relationships with state and federal officials and the media.
  • Expertise in voting rights, election policy, anti-poverty and food security programs, and evidenced-based policy analysis. Skilled in policy implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
Education
  • PhD in public policy, George Washington University
  • MA in policy studies, Johns Hopkins University
  • BA in psychology, Grinnell College
​Teaching and Higher Education​
Taught policy studies and political science at Grinnell College, Smith College (DC program), George Washington University, and Georgetown University. ​
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Research & Teaching Interests
  • Policy Studies, Policy Analysis, & Program Evaluation
  • American Politics and Urban Politics & Policy
  • Voting Rights & Election Policy
  • Food Security & Anti-Poverty Policies
  • Community Organizing  & Political Participation
  • Engaged Scholarship​
​Research Projects
My current research interests include food security and voting rights, both in the US. Regarding the latter, I have been studying the implementation, enforcement, and outcomes of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) since 1994. I am one of the few national experts on the NVRA. I have provided technical assistance on improving implementation of the Act to state and federal officials. I also worked for or with advocacy groups on litigation and remedial strategies for fair implementation of this critical civil rights law. I am currently working with several groups to compile data from NVRA litigation and study the impact of their enforcement interventions. Other recent research projects include a study of food access in neighborhoods using a survey from Housing and Urban Development and compiling a publicly available and historical database of state election policies. My other interests include engaged scholarship in political science and ways to incorporate policy analysis and, more broadly, public problem-solving in undergraduate curricula. ​