Richard Davis Jr. Email & Phone Number

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

The higher education team at New America is dedicated to making higher education more equitable, inclusive, and accountable so that everyone has a chance to obtain an affordable, high-quality education after high school. In my role as Policy Analyst, I collaborate with the team on projects aimed at ensuring the effective use of federal, state, and institutional resources and policies to advance equity in higher education for historically marginalized students. My current projects include exploring how federal policy can support parenting students in college and improving on-campus childcare provision at community colleges.

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Higher Learning Advocates advances bipartisan federal policy solutions needed to shift to a new system of higher learning that works for all of today’s students. As Senior Policy Associate, my primary responsibilites included drafting and managing the publication of policy materials such as reports, toolkits, fact sheets, policy briefs, 101s, and blog posts; as well as providing support to the management of the Today's Students Coalition, a cross-cutting group of policy, advocacy and membership organizations who push for urgently needed (primarily federal) policy changes that will better serve today’s students.Key Accomplishments:• Produced and managed the publication of over 15 policy resources, spanning critical issues including public benefits access, mental health, financial aid, and parenting students. • Tracked and responded to federal legislative and regulatory policies aligned with the organization’s mission through partner sign-on letters, bill endorsements, and requests for information from the U.S. Dept of Education.• Led the Today’s Students Coalition’s 9-member racial equity working group, concluding in the writing and publication of a federal policy toolkit aimed at closing racial equity gaps in postsecondary education.• Contributed to the analysis of data from the 2019-20 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study with a laser focus on the policy implications for today’s students.• Successfully planned, executed, and developed presentation materials for multiple virtual webinars, roundtables, and learning sessions with various stakeholders in the higher education policy community.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States

The Louisiana Budget Project (LBP) researches and analyzes state policies using a racial equity lens, with an explicit focus on their impact to low-income families. As part of the team, my primary responsibility was to advance the education policy portfolio by engaging in policy research/analysis and advocating for equitable state policies and investments that uplift low-income students and students of color.Key Accomplishments:• Cultivated and maintained strong relationships with elected officials, administrative staff, opinion leaders, and allied community organizations.• Prepared and delivered compelling testimony before state legislators, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding public access to disaggregated demographic data in higher education.• Conducted thorough reviews of quantitative data and authored policy analyses related to state higher education policies. These analyses covered critical topics such as the disparate impact of higher education state disinvestment, the importance of state financial aid for incarcerated students, and the enhancement of need-based financial aid.

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) — in part — advocates for public policies that increase student access to and success in postsecondary education for our nation’s students. As part of the six-member policy team, my role involved providing crucial support in quantitative research and analysis, legislative tracking, and federal relations work.Key Accomplishments: • Monitored, collected, analyzed, and visualized the federal student financial aid data that went into the development of the association’s 2021 Student Aid Profile.• Collaborated with NASFAA staff and members to develop comprehensive recommendations at the federal, state, and institutional levels to support the forthcoming restoration of Pell grant eligibility for incarcerated students. • Engaged with congressional staff from the states of Louisiana and Utah on the importance of strengthening federal support for and increasing access to need-based financial aid for undocumented students.• Selected to represent NASFAA, the higher education community, and students at the 2021 Budget Book Briefing analyzing President Biden’s education funding proposals, hosted by the Committee for Education Funding (CEF).

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States

The National College Attainment Network (NCAN) works with over 600 member organizations across the U.S. that help students prepare for, apply to, and succeed in college. In this role, I represented in the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) while engaging in national policy discussions to support the organizations' shared goal of closing equity gaps in postsecondary attainment.Key Accomplishments: • Coordinated and met with the state’s eight-member congressional delegation to advocate for policies that expand access and increase attainment among students pursuing postsecondary education.• Collaborated with other student and staff fellows from around the country to identify ways to support NCAN’s core mission of closing equity gaps in postsecondary attainment for all students.• Participated in the #Thankful4Pell social media campaign to encourage federal policymakers to strengthen the nation's premier need-based student aid program, the Pell Grant.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States

The LSU Department of Public Administration works to prepare students to become public sector leaders through strong academic programming and research that examines organizational, administrative, and policy sciences as they apply to government and governance. In this role, under the guidance of Dr. Min Su, I provided research support on her work that focused on public budgeting and financial management.Key Accomplishments:• Selected by the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) to represent Lousiana State University as a 2021 Founders' Fellow.• Presented research on "Bridging the Digital Divide through Public-Private Partnerships" at the 2021 virtual ASPA Conference.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana Area

The Governor’s Fellows Program in Louisiana Government is an opportunity for college student leaders to experience public policy in action and learn the rich history and current affairs of Louisiana government. In this role, I worked with the Louisiana Department of Corrections to learn and advance work around improved education and workforce outcomes for incarcerated and re-entering students. Key Accomplishments: • Conducted quantitative analyses of enrollment and completion data for state correctional education programs. • Worked with state agency leaders in the areas of Corrections, Higher Education, and Workforce Development to develop a comprehensive plan to improve educational attainment outcomes for our incarcerated and re-entering populations.• Successful in writing and securing a multi-agency grant to support correctional education and reentry programs within the state.• Researched, developed, and presented a policy proposal to the Governor, cabinet officials, and other state leaders on bridging the gap between higher education and gainful employment for returning citizens.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana Area

The University of Louisiana System is one of the nation's largest higher education systems and made up of nine distinct educational institutions serving more than 91,500 students and awarding more than 16,500 degrees annually. In this role, I was elected by my peers to serve as the sole student representative on the management board that provides discretion, control, supervision, and assistance to the institutions of the system. Key Accomplishments: • Engaged one-on-one with state legislators and policymakers to advocate for greater investments in Higher Education.• Served as a student panelist at various statewide conferences focusing on postsecondary education policies and practices.• Served on the following committees: Academic and Student Affairs, Board Nominating, Executive, Grievance, Legislation, and Personnel

Baton Rouge, Louisiana Area

The Louisiana Office of Financial Assistance (LOSFA) is a program of the Louisiana Board of Regents, that administers the state’s scholarship and grant programs, as well as assists students from low-income families and first-generation college attendees, in locating and obtaining the resources necessary to pursue and complete a postsecondary education. In this role, I served as the sole student representative on the advisory board that provides technical advice and recommendations to the Board of Regents through LOSFA staff on these matters. Key Accomplishments:• Worked with LOSFA staff to disseminate data and information to the Louisiana Council of Student Body Presidents to cultivate student advocacy efforts in support of state higher education investments. • Participated in social media campaigns to advocate for first generation college students and postsecondary education funding, including #ThankfulforPell and #ImFirst. • Visited the United States Department of Education (ED) to share how LOSFA is continuing to promote, prepare, and provide equity of college access for Louisiana students.

Hammond, Louisiana

The Student Government Association (SGA) at Southeastern Louisiana University is dedicated to serving as a channel of communication between the student body, faculty and administration; establishing and executing programs and projects beneficial to the student body; and improving relations between the local community and the student body. In this role, I served as the chief student representative of the university and led a team of fifty students leaders focused on advancing the mission of the organization. Key Accomplishments:• Successful in working with students, the UL System's Board of Supervisors, and university administration to obtain funding for student engagement activities and academic support programs. • Casted the vision and oversaw the implementation of a peer-to-peer mentoring program designed to get underclassmen and underrepresented students engaged in student government. • Built consensus and secured funding to establish two major on-campus capital improvement projects - the Lion Statue and NPHC Greek Plaza.

Hammond, Louisiana

The Student Government Association (SGA) at Southeastern Louisiana University is dedicated to serving as a channel of communication between the student body, faculty and administration; establishing and executing programs and projects beneficial to the student body; and improving relations between the local community and the student body. In this role, I served as a senior student advocate for the university while providing leadership to the student senate. Key Accomplishments:• Presided over monthly capital outlay committee meetings and the allocation over $150,000 to student-led campus improvement projects including the Lion Statue, NPHC Plaza, and Tinsley Student Learning Center. • Led reforms to the student government grant system by restoring organizational grants aimed at empowering student organizations to develop campus-wide social and educational programming. • Planned and coordinated a 150-student trip to University of Louisiana (UL) System Day at the State Capitol.

Hammond, Louisiana

The Southeastern Louisiana University Orientation Leaders team trains all year long to learn creative and innovative ways to welcome new students and introduce them to Southeastern while demonstrating our core values of excellence and caring. In this role, I worked with small groups of incoming freshmen and transfer students throughout the institution's spring and summer orientation programs.Key Accomplishments: • Served on a diverse and collaborative team of twenty-two students selected to mentor and welcome incoming freshmen to the university.• Assisted in the organization, planning, and implementation of summer orientation programs and college visit days. • Chosen as one of four orientation leaders to receive the "Spirit of Orientation" award for displaying overall outstanding spirit at all times throughout the duration of the program.

Master Of Public Administration - Mpa

Bachelor Of Science - Bs