Expert:

Dr. Laura Perna
Professor, Graduate School of Education
University of Pennsylvania

Credentials:

• Nationally recognized expert in student loans, college affordability and choice, paying for college and access to and equity in higher education
• Dr. Perna studies how individual characteristics, social structures and public policies enable or restrict women, racial/ethnic minorities and people of lower socio-economic status.
• She recently authored a study with co-investigator Dr. Joni Finney, examining higher education policies and performance in Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Texas and Washington as indicators of the nation’s performance overall.