Laura W. Perna
Connect with Laura
About Laura
Perna’s work focuses on understanding and identifying how social structures, educational practices, and public policies can promote college access and attainment, particularly for groups that continue to be underrepresented in higher education. Of particular interest are policies that influence college affordability, academic preparation for college, and equity in the opportunity to enroll and complete college. Perna has served as President of the Association for the Study of Higher Education, Vice President of the Postsecondary Division of the American Education Research Association, and Chair of the Faculty Senate at the University of Pennsylvania.
Contributions
How Federal Policymakers Should Address the Student Debt Crisis
No Jargon Podcast
In the News
Publications
Reflects on major themes that emerge from the studies presented in this volume and identifies implications for federal policy and future research.
Draws on data collected from case studies of the relationship between public policy and higher education performance in five states to offer a framework for understanding how state public policy can effectively promote higher education attainment.
Sheds light on the availability and characteristics of international scholarship programs that are sponsored by national and federal governments worldwide and that are intended to promote student mobility and offers a framework for organizing the population of these programs.
Draws together leading researchers to summarize the state of college access and success and provide recommendations for how institutional leaders and policymakers can effectively improve college access and completion.
Provides a multi-faceted picture of the characteristics, experiences, and challenges of working college students and identifies implications of working for undergraduate students’ educational experiences and outcomes.