Scholar Spotlight: Susan Dynarski
This week's scholar spotlight is Susan Dynarski, whose groundbreaking research on low-income students and the college application process gained attention in the media and in academic circles. The increasing sticker price of college scares off many high-achieving, lower-income students from applying - but Susan Dynarski found a way to increase applications from these students by 41%. Susan and her colleagues released new research this week that detailed an experiment that included mailing these students packets of information to apply for the University of Michigan, including the detail that, if admitted, they would receive a full ride scholarship. This scholarship isn't new, but promoting it dramatically increased applications. Check out more details in this New York Times OpEd or this piece in the Chronicle of Higher Education.
Scholar Spotlight
Dynarski teaches economics, statistics and education policy at the University of Michigan, where her research focuses on college costs, charter schools, inequality and financial aid for college. She is a nationally recognized expert, ranking among the top ten most influential economists working on education policy. She is frequently quoted in news outlets such as the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. She has testified about education and tax policy before the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee and the President's Commission on Tax Reform.