Pronouns: She/Her

Leanne Davis is a Senior Learning Specialist at the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice. Before joining Hope, she was an Associate Director of Research and Policy at the Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) where she led research, policy, and advocacy projects centering on equitable access to and success in postsecondary education, including leading Degrees When Due. As part of this national initiative to reengage adult learners and promote degree reclamation, Leanne led a research-practice partnership and developed learning experiences for practitioners to apply IHEP’s research in practice. Leanne has authored several reports, blog posts, and scholarly papers and frequently speaks on topics related to serving today’s students and working learners, institutional debt forgiveness, and using data and technology to promote equity and student success.

Prior to joining IHEP, Leanne spent nearly one decade as a college counselor which fueled her interest in understanding how students make decisions on whether and where to attend college, and how the resources available to them play a role in that decision. Before transitioning to higher education, she spent several years in nonprofit fundraising and management positions.

Leanne holds an M.A. in Higher Education Administration from The George Washington University, with a concentration in policy and finance, and a B.S. in Political Science from the United States Naval Academy. After graduating from the Naval Academy, Leanne was commissioned as a Naval Aviator, flying CH-46 helicopters. She also holds a certificate in College Counseling from UCLA and is an OnDeck Ed Tech Fellow.

Leanne currently lives in Seattle, WA where she is actively engaged in her community through volunteering and nonprofit board service.