Jennifer A. Delaney

Dr. Jennifer A. Delaney is an Associate Professor of Higher Education in the Department of Education Policy, Organization and Leadership at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She serves as Director of the Forum on the Future of Public Education and is a member of the Illinois Board of Higher Education. Her research examines higher education policy with emphasis on finance models, state funding volatility, and college access reforms.

Her educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Stanford University
• Ed.M. in Higher Education from Harvard University
• B.A. in English from the University of Michigan

Delaney's research focuses on:

• Higher education finance systems and state funding mechanisms
• Policy interventions like promise programs and direct admissions
• Economic volatility impacts on institutional resources
• College access barriers and application reforms
• State budget prioritization of higher education

Her recent publications analyze trends in:

• State funding volatility and recovery patterns after budget cuts
• Experimental evidence on direct admissions systems
• Institutional responses to financial aid policies
• Long-term historical funding patterns across U.S. states

She directs the Forum on the Future of Public Education, coordinating research on policy challenges in education systems. Previously, she served as assistant professor at University of Wisconsin-Madison and consulted for national education commissions.