I had the wonderful opportunity to be a research assistant with Dr. Jason L. Taylor during my PhD Studies. First, I worked with the Credit When It's Due grant funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates, Helios Education, Kresge, and Lumina Foundations, USA Funds, and the Greater Texas Foundation. I was second author for the final report that reviewed the implementation and outcomes of reverse credit transfer initiatives for postsecondary institutions in 15 states.
This work lead to a grant funded by the Kresge and Lumina Foundations; Aligning Critical Associates Degree Reclamation Programs: Planning for the Future of Project Win-Win. We worked with the Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) to examine the potential of reverse credit transfer (Credit When It’s Due) and adult reengagement (Project Win-Win) to reduce the number of people with some college, no degree. This led to the funding ($5,000,000) of Degrees When Due (DWD) in 2018 by the Lumina and Kresge Foundations, Ascendium Philanthropy, and ECMC. The University of Utah received a sub-contract from IHEP to perform the research on the initiative. I am currently a research assistant with this project.
I have had a large role in shaping and implementing the research agenda for Degrees When Due which includes four priorities:
Attainment and Equity: We are documenting the number and types of new degrees conferred through degree reclamation, who receives these degrees, how DWD influences institutional and state degree attainment, and how DWD helps close equity gaps.
Impact: We are examining the impact of degree reclamation strategies on students’ educational and employment outcomes. This includes both a quantitative and qualitative analysis of how degree reclamation influences students.
Implementation and Capacity: We are studying how DWD leads to institutional change and builds institutional capacity to develop and implement degree reclamation strategies.
Employers and Innovation: We are examining the potential of employers and innovative educational policies and programs (e.g., PLA, CBE) to facilitate degree reclamation and degree attainment. We are testing innovative strategies for re-engaging students with some college and no degree
Through these grants, I have contributed to grant applications and reports, so am aware of the precise nature of these processes, and the need for strong relationships with funders. I have written IRB applications, surveys, experimental research design, and developed data reporting procedures and templates so am experienced with the design and implementation of many types of studies. I analyze quantitative data with Stata and Excel, and am able to communicate the results via public methods (data notes, webinars, press releases, social media), and scholarly manuscripts and presentations. I have collaborated with organizations like the Counsel for Adult and Experiential Education, P20 Connect TN, and University of Hawai’i Community Colleges to perform data analyses and write reports, so am experienced at collaborating with a range of organizations, postsecondary institutions, and their liaisons. All of these have made me an experienced researcher with a range of skills and network that will make me a strong contributor and collaborator.
This work lead to a grant funded by the Kresge and Lumina Foundations; Aligning Critical Associates Degree Reclamation Programs: Planning for the Future of Project Win-Win. We worked with the Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) to examine the potential of reverse credit transfer (Credit When It’s Due) and adult reengagement (Project Win-Win) to reduce the number of people with some college, no degree. This led to the funding ($5,000,000) of Degrees When Due (DWD) in 2018 by the Lumina and Kresge Foundations, Ascendium Philanthropy, and ECMC. The University of Utah received a sub-contract from IHEP to perform the research on the initiative. I am currently a research assistant with this project.
I have had a large role in shaping and implementing the research agenda for Degrees When Due which includes four priorities:
Attainment and Equity: We are documenting the number and types of new degrees conferred through degree reclamation, who receives these degrees, how DWD influences institutional and state degree attainment, and how DWD helps close equity gaps.
Impact: We are examining the impact of degree reclamation strategies on students’ educational and employment outcomes. This includes both a quantitative and qualitative analysis of how degree reclamation influences students.
Implementation and Capacity: We are studying how DWD leads to institutional change and builds institutional capacity to develop and implement degree reclamation strategies.
Employers and Innovation: We are examining the potential of employers and innovative educational policies and programs (e.g., PLA, CBE) to facilitate degree reclamation and degree attainment. We are testing innovative strategies for re-engaging students with some college and no degree
Through these grants, I have contributed to grant applications and reports, so am aware of the precise nature of these processes, and the need for strong relationships with funders. I have written IRB applications, surveys, experimental research design, and developed data reporting procedures and templates so am experienced with the design and implementation of many types of studies. I analyze quantitative data with Stata and Excel, and am able to communicate the results via public methods (data notes, webinars, press releases, social media), and scholarly manuscripts and presentations. I have collaborated with organizations like the Counsel for Adult and Experiential Education, P20 Connect TN, and University of Hawai’i Community Colleges to perform data analyses and write reports, so am experienced at collaborating with a range of organizations, postsecondary institutions, and their liaisons. All of these have made me an experienced researcher with a range of skills and network that will make me a strong contributor and collaborator.
