Lauren has what it takes to lead
Firsthand Experience in Schools
Lauren is a Professor of K-12 Education Policy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she works with school districts to address their most challenging problems.
Lauren is also the product of public schools herself, the parent of two DPS students, and was president of E.K. Powe Elementary School’s PTA. As PTA president, she worked to directly address the gaps left by underfunding of her school, and she partnered with leaders across the district to advocate for students.
As an academic researcher, Lauren takes a critical approach to policy development and implementation. Her work on teacher retention, educator effectiveness, school choice, and school culture has been used by districts around the country to improve their operations. She will bring her analytic approach to DPS and use data in meaningful ways to make real change in our school communities.
Professional & Educational Background
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
School of Education – Education Policy, Organizations, and Leadership
Associate Professor 2025-present
Assistant Professor 2019-2025
Professor of Education Policy.
Courses taught: Inquiry and Data Applications, Statistical Methods, Program Evaluation, the Economics of Education, and School Improvement.
School of Education Teaching Award Finalist, 2022 and 2023.
Recent research: Teacher evaluation, school assignment, school mental health supports, and school performance.
University of Chicago
Consortium on School Research
Affiliated Researcher 2019-Present
Senior Researcher 2015-2019
Researcher 2008-2011, 2012-215
Chapin Hall Center for Children
Associated Researcher 2010-2012
Researcher at the UChicago Consortium on School Research.
Research studies: Educator labor markets, impacts of exclusionary discipline and suspension, and the impacts of school choice in Chicago Public Schools.
PhD in Public Policy, with focus on labor economics and the economics of education.
PhD, Public Policy, Harris School, 2015
MPP, Harris School, 2008
University of Texas at Austin
BA, Government, History 2004