academic leadership

Barr is a governor and vice chair for supervision of the Federal Reserve Board, currently on leave from the University of Michigan. At U-M, Barr conducted research and wrote about a wide range of issues in domestic and international financial regulation, with a particular emphasis on financial services for low-income communities. He served in President Barack H. Obama's Administration as the U.S. Department of the Treasury's assistant secretary for financial institutions, and was a key architect of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010.

Parthasarathy studies the governance of emerging science and technology and the politics of evidence and expertise in policy in comparative and international perspective. Her current research focuses on equity in innovation and innovation policy. She co-hosts The Received Wisdom podcast.

Stephanie L. Sanders is a lecturer and diversity, equity, and inclusion officer at the Ford School. Through the lens of critical race theory, Sanders' research agenda examines students who transition from urban environments to rural, predominantly…

Shaefer serves as the inaugural director of Poverty Solutions, an interdisciplinary, presidential initiative at U-M that seeks to partner communities and policymakers to find new ways to prevent and alleviate poverty.

Marcella (Marcy) Brighton is the Chief Administrative Officer for the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. Since 2008 she has been managing the operations infrastructure of the school including finance, human resources, data analytics/business…

As Director of Student and Academic Services, Susan will oversee admissions, academic advising, fellowships/funding, and the Registrar. In addition, as a member of the Dean's management team, she will help provide strategic leadership. Susan will…

Tom Ivacko joined CLOSUP at its founding in the fall of 2001 and serves as executive director of the center. He also oversees the Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS) program and has been the lead or co-author on more than 50 MPPS publications…

Sue Johnson is the chief development officer at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. Sue joined the Ford School in February 2016 and oversees all fundraising and alumni relations efforts, coordinates with the dean and other members of the Ford…

An alum of the Ford School (MPP '96), Laura has over twenty years of experience in public sector and academic advocacy, strategic communications, and management. The team she leads is responsible for advancing the Ford School's visibility and…

Jennifer Niggemeier brings 20+ years of experience in working with current and future policy leaders. Jennifer leads a global team of 20+ executive leadership coaches delivering individual and group coaching to masters students, and designs and…