Yolandra A. Plummer

Yolandra A. Plummer, Ph.D., is a Program Director at the University of the District of Columbia, specializing in Public Administration, Digital Literacy, and Urban Leadership. She is affiliated with the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences and has served as Principal Investigator for the Paving Access Trails to Higher Security (PATHS) grant since 2013. Her expertise spans work readiness for low-income populations, gender and transportation, and qualitative methods.

• Ph.D. in Public Administration and Public Policy from Howard University (Magna Cum Laude)

Her research focuses on digital literacy, urban sustainability, and the intersection of public transportation with the care economy. Recent publications examine electronic health records, veteran compensation disparities, and digital skill development among TANF populations.

Notable scientific awards include the Advocate/Ambassador Award (2024) from UDC, the Quality Trust for Individuals with Disabilities Service Award (2024), and the Alan G. Penczek Service-Learning Faculty Award (2022). She has secured grants from the D.C. Department of Human Services and the National Science Foundation, including a 2024 Catalyst grant for STEM education via educational robotics.

As Principal Investigator for the PATHS grant and Program Director for UDC’s Urban Leadership and Entrepreneurship Ph.D. program, Plummer bridges academic research with community impact. She has presented at national conferences, including the Northeast Decision Sciences Institute and the Decision Sciences Institute, addressing pandemic-era workforce services and cyber terrorism resilience.