Alumni
Dr. Giersch is an associate professor who teaches courses on American politics, research methods, state and local politics, politics & film, and education policy. He is also the associate director of the university’s Public Policy program. His research focuses on education policy, specifically the areas of school choice, high-stakes testing, segregation, and teacher quality, as […]
Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Institute for Advancing Health through Agriculture-EPAS at Texas A & M, El-Paso Read More
Current Position: Quality Control Editor, Research Square Education: PhD Public Policy, UNC Charlotte (2018) Masters of History, UNC Charlotte Research Interest: Public health, health policy, epidemiology, pandemics. Dissertation: Afraid to Breath’: A Public Health Analysis of the 1918 Influenza Epidemic in North Carolina This dissertation examines the impact of the 1918 influenza on the state […]
Current Position: Associate Professor, Valdosta State Universtity Education: Public Policy PhD, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2014 Research Interest: Neena’s research focuses on K-12 education policy in America, racial minorities in higher education, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields, and international education and social policy issues. What are your best memories […]
Education: BA in Organizational Communication, University of Central Florida, May 2005, MA in Nonprofit Management, University of Central Florida, May 2007 Research Interest: Meika is interested in research of social policy, more specifically inequality related to gender, sexual minorities, and children and families. Ph.D. Expected: 2016 Current Research: Meika’s research interests are in social policy […]
Dissertation Title: Location! Location! (Al)Location! An Evaluation of Housing and Supportive Service Locations for the Formerly Homeless: The Case of Charlotte, North Carolina Dissertation Defense Date: Fall 2021 Ph.D. Expected: December 2021 CV- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DYEAGjmaIi0RFHazek_qSGxoWUs56Hx0/view?usp=sharing Degrees and Credentials: Master of Public Administration, UNC Charlotte 2014 Research Interests: Social Inequality, Nonprofit Management, Homelessness Recent Research and Publications: […]
Research Interest: Lorén’s research interest focuses on income, race, and immigration and how they relate to education, education policy and criminal justice policy. Current Research: Dissertation Title:Teaching Interests:Accomplishments:Recent Publications:Conferences Attended:Biographical Information: Read More
Education: M.Sc. Environmental Economics. Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia. 2006. Research Interest: Eleanora’s research focuses on analyzing and designing social policies that contribute to reduce social inequity and promote human development in developing countries. CV: Eleonora Davalos Ph.D. Expected: May 2017 Current Research: Eleonora’s current research projects include evaluating the effectiveness of the strategies […]
Education: BS, Western Carolina University, 2006 Research Interest: Jackson’s research interests lie in Emergency Services Administration and Organization. When did you graduate? December 2015 Current Research: Dissertation Title:Teaching Interests:Accomplishments:Recent Publications:Conferences Attended:Biographical Information: Originally from New Hampshire, Jackson earned a Bachelor’s degree from Western Carolina University and a Master’s of Public Administration from NC State University. […]
Education: MBA, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Schidler College of Business & Administration /Japan-America Institute of Management Science (JAIMS) Japan/Asia Focus, 2005 Research Interest: Melissa’s research interest focuses on the privatization of government services in general, and more specifically on the issue of private prisons and various types of contracting in state corrections services. Ph.D. […]
James holds a MA in Economics from University of Texas at Austin and a BA in Economics from East Tennessee State University. Dissertation: TBA Ph.D. Expected: 2023 CV:
Research Interest: Health policy and social media Ph.D. Expected: May 2022 Dissertation: TBA CV: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EcR5rOnup_CL9WqwfYhHL1sStCoo55_8/view?usp=sharing Publications: PEER-REVIEWED BOOKS West, J.F., Gao, J., and Jang, S. (2021 in production). How Communication Technology is Stressing a Nation: A House Divided Cannot Stand. Lexington Books PEER-REVIEWED ARTICLES Gao, J. (2022 In Press). The Complementary and Substitutive Value of […]
Education: Master of Public Administration, American University Research Interest: Cicily’s research interests focuses on Economic Valuations and Assessments of Health Care, Health Information Technology, Health Care Reform, Racial and Ethnic Health Care Disparities, Improvement Standard, Observation Status, 24 Month Waiting Period for Medicare When did you graduate? May 2014 Current Job: Deputy Director, Operations and […]
When did you graduate? Summer 2009 What are your best memories about being a graduate student in the PPOL graduate program? I have lots of memories about PPOL but I can’t forget our professors. They were helpful, friendly and always eager to solve my problems. What are the top 3 things you took away from […]
Education: Master’s in Political Science, The George Washington University, 1993 Research Interest: John’s research interests include political parties, elections, voting behavior, education policy and welfare policy. His dissertation, in progress, involves an analysis of the political effects of recent election reforms in North Carolina. What are your best memories about being a graduate student in […]
Recent PhD graduate in Public Policy. Expertise in statistics, social science, research methods, and policy. Read More
Education: Public Policy PhD, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2014 Research Interest: Nandan’s research primarily centers on Education and Urban Policy areas. Broadly, he is interested in how some of the important economic, political and social factors influence K-12 and higher educational outcomes. When did you graduate? 2014 Ph.D. Expected: 2014 Current Research: Nandan’s […]
Education: Education: MPA, Florida State University; A.B. Political Science, University of Florida Research Interest: Brian’s current research interests revolve around developing and strengthening consumer demand for energy from renewable sources, and growing domestic renewable energy infrastructure. Ph.D. Expected: May 2016 Current Research: Brian’s current research interests revolve around studying the factors affecting parental public vs. […]
Education: M.Sc Planning – School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, University of Guelph Canada (2005) Research Interest: Research interest focuses on International development, sustainable development, water, housing, domestic energy, and youth development. Ph.D. Expected: 2018 Publications: Khudadad, N., Ali, B., & Jan, K. (2012). Measuring the impact of low carbon technologies and products on […]
Education: M.S., D’Youville College, Buffalo, N.Y. Research Interest: Maureen’s research interest focuses on State and federal regulations to impact the delivery of health care; health care quality improvement; patient safety; organizational response to adverse events; quality improvement education for health professions; performance measurement; program evaluation. When did you graduate? May 2015 Current Research: Maureen’s current […]
Research Interest: Aileen’s research interests are in policy impact evaluation, policy and technology transfer processes and agriculture and economic development. Her dissertation looks into how municipal governments influence one another’s governance of agricultural extension delivery Ph.D. Expected: May 2014 Current Research: Dissertation Title:Teaching Interests:Accomplishments:Recent Publications: Rejesus, R. M., Mutuc, M. E. M., Yasar, M., Lapitan, […]
When did you graduate? Summer 2009 What are your best memories about being a graduate student in the PPOL graduate program? My best memories are of the excellent faculty members, tough courses and supportive to go to conferences, like… Dr. Ken Godwin, Dr. Stephanie Moller, Dr. Beth Bjerregaard, Dr. Beth Whitmeyer… and other professors, who […]
I am an experienced public policy researcher proficient in data analysis and quantitative methods. My research agenda consists of analyzing the effects that the “ War on Drugs” in Mexico has on citizens’ attitudes and behaviors. Read More
Current Job: Senior Policy Analyst, Center for American Progress Read More
Education: PhD Public Policy, UNC Charlotte 2014 MA, Baylor University 1993 Research Interest: Mary Jo’s interest focuses on Legislative Complexity, Campaign Finance Reform, and Economic Development. Current Research: Mary Jo’s current research focuses on Plain Language and Campaign Finance Reform Dissertation Title: BCRA: Before Campaigning Retain an Attorney – Do Complex Campaign Regulations Lead to […]
Carrie Nelson is nearing completion of the Public Policy Certificate Program at UNC Charlotte. She is a Guardian Ad Litem for the North Carolina Judicial Branch. Carrie has an MBA from the University of Miami and a BS in Marketing from The Ohio State University. Dissertation: TBA Certificate in Public Policy Expected: 2022 CV: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1X3W8qQPSHoVtgp9dvIagyJFR7X3Pt4_W/view?usp=sharing
Robert began working as an RA in Public Policy summer 2020. Robert is joining the program full-time. Degrees and Credentials: Masters in Ethics and Applied Philosophy at UNC Charlotte. BS in Direct and Interactive Marketing from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Dissertation: TBA Ph.D. Expected: 2025 CV: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xrcDfLidtz4JF3JQbD66d3UdEvjdjNYd/view?usp=sharing Publications: Pinka, R. Synthetic Deliberation: Can Emulated […]
Education: M.S. Public Health, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2008 Research Interest: Petra’s current research involves how do organizational characteristics of hospitals influence the use of life sustaining technology and how do treatment decisions affect health care costs in return. In addressing these questions, the study contributes to our understanding of the factors that […]
When did you graduate? Summer 2008 Dustin C. Read, PhD/JD, serves as an Assistant Professor of Property Management and Real Estate at Virginia Tech where he holds the William and Mary Alice Park Junior Faculty Fellowship in the Program in Real Estate. His research and teaching interests include land use policy, public-private partnerships, and housing […]
Education: PhD, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, May 2013 Research Interest: Hazel’s research focuses on Sustainable Transportation; Sustainable Development; Public Transit; Urban Planning and Regional Policy; Public Finance and Budgeting. When did you graduate? May 2013 Current Job: Research Associate, Center for Transportation Policy Studies Ph.D. Expected: May 2013 Current Research: Light rail transit […]
Associate Professor, Department of Political Science East Carolina University Teaching Areas: Statistics, Public Budgeting and Finance, Economic Development Research Interests: Performance Management, Contracting Out, Green Economy, Green Transportation Innovations Dissertation: “Does Government Structure Really Matter? A Comparison of Efficiency and Effectiveness of Special Purpose versus General Purpose Government Transit Operations.” When did you graduate? Summer […]
When did you graduate? Summer 2010 What are your best memories about being a graduate student in the PPOL graduate program? Walking at Commencement; the sense of accomplishment associated with defending the dissertation; attending health care conferences with classmates; recognition associated with personal accomplishments (i.e., Student Paper awards); sharing in the successes of my classmates. […]
When did you graduate? Summer 2008 What are your best memories about being a graduate student in the PPOL graduate program? My best memories are all about criminology professors. They were so patient and caring about me, but I did not fully understand that until I actually started to teach. Dr. Friday, I would not […]
Stephanie received all her academic degrees from George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia.They include an MS in Conflict Analysis and Resolution, BA in Humanities and Social Sciences (History), and a paralegal certification. While at GMU, she held an internship at Physicians for Social Responsibility in their “Nuclear Weapons Abolition Program”. She intends to pursue research in […]
Education: Master of International Affairs and Diplomacy, Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria; M.A Environmental Policy, Appalachain State University; Bachelor’s in Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University. Research Interest: Environment and security policies. Ph.D. Expected: 2021 Dissertation : TBA Current Research: Currently investigating the role of emotional contagion in moderating political behavior related to catastrophic events and radicalization. CV: […]
Education: MPA, University of SC-Columbia, 2011 Research Interest: Hollie’s research interests pertain to health insurance reform, public health (obesity and drug policies), and state determinants of health policy diffusion. Ph.D. Expected: 2017 Current Research: Hollie’s research interest focuses on researching environmental and nutrition policies that affect consumer choices and health and teaching at the collegiate […]
Education: M Sc was in International Relations University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Research Interest: Ada’s research focuses on improving retention outcomes for underrepresented students. Her work in teaching and advising a diverse population of students has encouraged her to research innovative strategies to improve student achievement and performance overall. Ph.D. Expected: 2014 Current Research: Improving […]
When did you graduate? Fall 2008 Job Role: Assistant Professor What are your best memories about begin a graduate student in the PPOL graduate program? The opportunity to work as a research assistant for a project that later I wrote my dissertation on. The great faculty and courses from different departments. The Parties at Dr. […]
Education: MBA from the University of California, Riverside Research Interest: Judy’s research has focused on the growing number of aging residents entering long-term care facilities particularly on standards of quality of care, but also on measures of the quality of life, which are far more difficult to quantify. Ph.D. Expected: Spring 2014 What are your […]
When did you graduate? Fall 2009 Current Job: Vice President What are your best memories about being a graduate student in the PPOL graduate program? My best memory would be the stimulating discussions in the classrooms on various policy topics. What are the top 3 things you took away from the PPOL program? A PhD […]
When did you graduate? Summer 2011 Job Role: Evaluation of ADVANCE programs, which are part of a NSF grant where these programs further the goal of increasing the opportunities for women in academia in fields with low female representation. In conjunction with this evaluation I also conduct research on workplace challenges for women in academia, […]
Education: MS, Urban Studies, Cleveland State University Research Interest: Holly’s interest focuses on urban studies and local government. Ph.D. Expected: 2013 Current Research: Dissertation Title:Teaching Interests:Accomplishments:Recent Publications: Leland, S.M. & Whisman, H. (2012). The promises of collaborative governance, in Kenton county together: A call to action. Leland, S.M. & Whisman, H. (Forthcoming). Local Legislatures, in […]
Education: MS Education, UNC Charlotte 2009 Research Interest: Jennifer’s primary researach interest is social policy with a focus on secondary education. Expected Graduation: May 2016 Current Research: Labor Markets, Social Policy, Education Policy, Domestic Violence Dissertation Title: The Impact of Unemployment on Family Violence Teaching Interests: Microeconomics, Methodology, Political Science Accomplishments: Graduate Student Award for […]
Education: Master of Public Administration – James Madison University Research Interest: Reid’s research interests revolve around urban policy and public service delivery in the local government setting. Ph.D. Expected: Fall 2014 What are your best memories about being a graduate student in the PPOL graduate program? The camaraderie with other students and faculty & staff […]
