Elizabeth Spier is a principal researcher at AIR. She has over 20 years of experience designing and managing large-scale, policy-relevant studies examining the effectiveness of programs, and interventions designed to improve developmental and educational outcomes for children. Her expertise includes child development, safe and supportive learning environments, child and family ...
Stephanie Levin is a senior researcher within AIR’s Human Services division. An expert in educational leadership and school finance, Levin is dedicated to improving outcomes for public K–12 students and educators. At AIR, she directs a multi-year formative study and impact evaluation of UnboundEd’s Adolescent Literacy Planning & Implementation Collaborative ...
Stacia J. Rush joined AIR as a research analyst in 2005. For the Access Center, she served as a technical assistance liaison with the Mid-South Regional Resource Center and assisted with developing products and presentations for the center. Dr. Rush also served as team leader on the Instructional Strategies Team ...
Christina LiCalsi is a principal researcher specializing in program evaluation and social and education policy analysis at AIR. Dr. LiCalsi has a background in educational and social disparities with expertise in quasi-experimental designs for causal analysis. She has experience employing a wide range of quantitative methods including regression discontinuity, comparative ...
Manolya Tanyu is a community psychologist and prevention researcher with 15 years of expertise in evaluation of school- and community-based interventions to prevent risk behaviors and promote youth development and well-being. A core aspect of her work is understanding the interrelationships across the settings (i.e., human serving systems, communities, schools, ...
Karen Francis is a vice president and the Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at AIR. Dr. Francis leads AIR’s overall DEI efforts through the implementation of the DEI framework and strategic pillars focused on workforce and work environment; cultural and linguistic competence; identity, brand, and thematic research; and growth ...
H. Richard (Rich) Milner IV is Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair of Education and professor of education in the Department of Teaching and Learning at Peabody College of Vanderbilt University. In April 2022, Professor Milner received the prestigious Joseph A. Johnson, Jr. Distinguished Leadership Professor Award, one of Vanderbilt University’s highest honors. His ...
Jim Lindsay is a principal researcher with AIR. As a leader with the Regional Educational Laboratory Midwest, Dr. Lindsay designed and led large-scale studies on the implementation and impact of educational interventions, including Ramp-Up to Readiness (a college readiness intervention) and the Content Literacy Continuum (an adolescent literacy intervention). Dr. ...
Jessica Heppen, a nationally recognized expert in education research, policy, and practice, is the president & CEO of AIR. Dr. Heppen been with AIR for 20 years and, in that time, has held several key roles during her tenure.
Samantha Sniegowski is a senior researcher working on afterschool and expanded learning initiatives with the Learning Supports Network at AIR. She is responsible for coordinating and monitoring data collection activities, conducting data analyses, writing reports, and project coordination. Sniegowski’s current projects include Chicago Public Schools Community Schools Initiative evaluation; Texas, ...