Nicola Alexander

Nicola Alexander is a Professor and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education, Diversity, and International Initiatives at the University of Minnesota's College of Education and Human Development. She holds a Ph.D. in Public Administration (SUNY Albany), an MA in Public Policy (SUNY Albany), and a B.A. in International Relations (SUNY New Paltz). Her research focuses on the societal and educational implications of policy, particularly in equity, school finance, and resource distribution. She teaches courses such as OLPD 5044 (Economics of Education) and OLPD 5346 (Politics of Education).

Her work emphasizes equitable resource allocation and the impact of policy on marginalized student groups. Notable awards include the National Education Finance Academy Fellowship (2013) and the Robert Beck Teaching Award (2012). She serves as President of the National Education Finance Academy and on the editorial board of the Journal of Review of Research in Leadership Education.

Key research themes include the intersection of race, poverty, and education finance, and the development of equity indices to inform policy. Her publications explore topics like school funding adequacy, teacher performance accountability, and cross-national education spending comparisons.

• Awards:
  • National Education Finance Academy Fellow (2013)
  • Robert Beck Teaching Award (2012)
  • Educational Considerations Scholarly Paper Award (2013)
• Professional Roles:
  • President, National Education Finance Academy
  • Editorial Board Member, Journal of Review of Research in Leadership Education

Her work addresses systemic inequities through policy analysis and advocacy, with a focus on Minnesota's education system and broader national trends.