TICAS’ most important asset is our talented and passionate staff. Representing diverse racial, geographic, and economic backgrounds, our people use their unique educational experiences and perspectives to advocate on behalf of students across the country.
Meet the Research Team
The Research team focuses on bridging the gap between data-informed solutions and policy advocacy in a way that reimagines a more equitable higher education system. The TICAS Research team works collaboratively with all programmatic teams and research fellows to seek equitable solutions that are reflective of the diverse students that TICAS advocates for. Read our Racial Equity Research here.
Ellie Bruecker, Ph.D.
Senior Director of ResearchDr. Ellie Bruecker is our Senior Director of Research, leading the Research Team in conducting high-quality data analysis and student-centered research. Ellie is a passionate advocate for equity in higher education and is committed to bridging the gap between research and policy change.
Mia Elliott
Senior Research AssociateMia is a Senior Research Associate at TICAS. In her role she works collaboratively with programmatic teams to seek data-informed solutions.
Brianna Huynh
Research AssociateBrianna Huynh currently serves as a Research Associate at TICAS, where she works collaboratively with programmatic teams to seek data-informed solutions, with her policy work informed by her own educational journey
Meet the Affordability Team
The Federal Affordability team works on federal policy issues related to higher education access, affordability, and success with a focus on strengthening the Pell Grant program, improving the student loan system, and building a path to debt-free, high-quality degree for all students, no matter their racial or socio-economic background. Stay up-to-date with TICAS’ Federal Affordability work here.
José Miranda
Senior Director, Federal External AffairsJosé serves as the Senior Director, Federal External Affairs at TICAS, where he leads TICAS’s federal efforts to build a broad coalition of support for its federal policy agenda working with advocates, lawmakers and their staff, and federal agencies to improve the nation’s higher education system.
Meet the Accountability Team
The Federal Accountability team focuses on strengthening student protections against predatory practices and burdensome debt, while holding fraudulent and low-quality colleges accountable. Through advocacy for increased oversight, the Federal Accountability team’s goal is to ensure that historically-targeted students, Black and Latinx students, students from low-income backgrounds, first-generation students, and student veterans have equal opportunity to a high-quality program and are protected in their pursuit of a postsecondary degree. Stay up-to-date with TICAS’ Federal Accountability work here.
Christopher Madaio
Senior Advisor, AccountabilityChristopher J. Madaio works closely with attorneys general, policymakers, and advocates to advance policies that hold institutions accountable and safeguard students’ educational investments.
Meet the College Completion Team
The College Completion team works to increase college attainment and completion rates nationwide by advocating for increased funding that specifically supports the implementation and expansion of comprehensive approaches to proven student success strategies. The TICAS College Completion team leads a community of practice with seven comprehensive approaches to student success programs, with the goal to understand these programs’ impact and common design elements, as well as what it would take to scale these approaches to meaningfully move the needle on college completion among underserved students nationally. Stay up-to-date with our College Completion work here.
Valerie Crespín-Trujillo, Ph.D.
Senior Director, College Completion and Basic Needs PolicyValerie is a Director, College Completion Policy at TICAS. She leads TICAS' efforts to expand and align state and federal investment with evidence-based student supports that research has demonstrated empower more students to enroll and graduate from college.
Meet the Student Basic Needs & Anti-Poverty Team
The Student Basic Needs & Anti-Poverty team works to ensure that obstacles to accessing federal safety net programs are removed for those currently enrolled or looking to enroll into postsecondary education. These programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), can dramatically improve student success outcomes. Stay up-to-date with our Basic Needs work here.
Deborah Martin
Senior Policy AssociateDeborah Martin serves as a Senior Policy Associate for TICAS' Anti-Poverty and Basic Needs team. She supports TICAS’ efforts to close equity gaps and align anti-poverty goals to strengthen the nation’s workforce.
Erika Roberson
Senior Policy AssociateErika is a senior policy associate supporting TICAS’ anti-poverty and basic needs work. She is particularly passionate about closing opportunity gaps for students from low-income families and those in rural communities, similar to those of her hometown.
Meet the California Team
The TICAS California team works collaboratively across the state to ensure that every current and prospective student can afford to attend and complete college. TICAS California focuses on increasing college affordability and equity for all Californians by advocating for the expansion and streamlining of California financial aid. Also, our California team is committed to data transparency and college accountability, and works with a coalition of partners to ensure that the state’s most vulnerable students are protected by strong guardrails from low-quality and fraudulent colleges. Stay up-to-date with TICAS California work here.
Sarah Bouabibsa
Program ManagerSarah is a Program Manager at TICAS. She works on TICAS’ California team to expand college affordability and bolster college accountability.
Laura Szabo-Kubitz
Senior Policy AdvisorLaura is a Senior Policy Advisor at TICAS working to advance our California portfolio through policy development, coalition building, and advocacy. Through research, strategic communications, and stakeholder engagement, she strengthens higher education access and affordability for Californians.
Meet the Michigan Team
The TICAS Michigan team strives to be a resource and educator on policies and processes that affect college access, affordability, and credential attainment within the state. TICAS Michigan seeks to uplift and elevate community and student voices in policy decision-making by working intentionally and collaboratively with community partners across the state of Michigan, ensuring that all students are empowered with the resources that they need to pursue and obtain a postsecondary degree. Stay up-to-date with our Michigan work here.
Manon Steel
Program Manager, MichiganManon is a Program Manager, Michigan at TICAS. She is is deeply committed to making college affordable for all students throughout the Mitten State. She works on state postsecondary policy aimed at expanding access to financial aid and ensuring it’s equitably distributed.
Meet the New York Team
Our New York team works to shape state policies and practices through evidence-based research to increase higher education access and affordability, ensure students have comprehensive support to complete their degree, and protect students from unfair practices. Stay up-to-date with TICAS New York work here.
Kirsten E. Keefe, J.D.
Senior Director of Policy & Advocacy, New YorkKirsten is a Senior Director of Policy & Advocacy, New York at TICAS. In her role, she leads initiatives aimed at closing the affordability gap and ensuring equitable access to higher education opportunities for all in New York State.
Meet the Operations Team
The Operations team works to create and sustain internal systems and processes that support an inclusive learning culture at TICAS and enable our staff to thrive personally and professionally. Stay up-to-date on career opportunities at TICAS here.
Carol Ashley
Operations AssociateCarol serves as the Operations Coordinator for TICAS. She has coached and mentored over 300 students in their path toward higher education.
Katie Dorpinghaus
Senior Director of Finance and OperationsKatie is a Senior Director of Finance and Operations at TICAS. She directs TICAS' accounting and financial operations. She is a proud AmeriCorps alum and is passionate about increasing access to high quality education and equity in workforce and economic development.
Ana Oseguera
Associate Director, OperationsAna serves as the Associate Director of Operations at TICAS. She is passionate about creating efficient processes, supporting employees, and fostering a positive workplace culture.
Meet the Communications Team
The Communication’s team’s primary goal is to ensure that TICAS’ work is elevated at the national, state, and regional level in an effective and clear manner for students, parents, educators, and partners. They work to center race and equity in all our products and bring a humanizing narrative to the data findings of our programmatic teams. Stay up-to-date with TICAS’s communications here.
MaryGrace C. Joyce
Associate Director of Strategic CommunicationsMaryGrace is the Associate Director of Strategic Communications at TICAS. She works to ensure that TICAS' public policy priorities resonate clearly with a variety of audiences and that TICAS' external communications are positioned to drive systemic change.
Tim Ward
Senior Director of Strategic Communications and External AffairsTim is the Senior Director of Strategic Communications and External Affairs at TICAS. He leads efforts to expand the organization's reach and influence by enhancing its reputation, strengthening relationships with key stakeholders, and raising the visibility of its leaders and experts.
Chandler Whitted
Senior Associate, Strategic CommunicationsChandler works as a Senior Associate of Strategic Communications at TICAS. Chandler is passionate about using strategic communications to drive change and believes social media is a powerful tool for educating, engaging, and inspiring action.
Meet the Executive Team
Our Executive Team works to create a strategic direction for the organization to move forward in their advocacy. They ensure that TICAS staff feels empowered in their work, while fostering relationships with funders, partners, and other policy liaisons to ensure that the work that is done at TICAS is possible.
Tanya I. Garcia, Ph.D.
Vice PresidentAs VP at TICAS, Tanya is responsible for advancing our state policy agenda, strengthening the organization’s relationships with policymakers and key partners, overseeing the college completion policy and New York policy and advocacy portfolios, and serving as an external ambassador for TICAS.
Cynthia Schaal
Chief Operating OfficerCynthia is the Chief Operating Officer at TICAS, where she leads operations, finance, and people initiatives at TICAS. She brings extensive experience in strategic decision making, leading complex organizational change, and developing individual and team talent.
