Office for Education Policy Hires Research Assistant Professor

Josh McGee

The Office for Education Policy of the University of Arkansas has announced that Josh McGee has been hired as a research assistant professor. McGee will enhance the office’s capacity to help policy makers and education leaders make evidence-informed decisions to improve Arkansas’ public education system.

“Over the past decade, McGee has established himself as a leader in the national evidence-based policy movement,” said Sarah McKenzie, the office’s executive director. “We are looking forward to leveraging his expertise to inform decisions concerning Arkansas educators and students.”

“I’m thrilled to be joining the excellent team at the Office for Education Policy,” said McGee. “It’s exciting to have the opportunity to return to my home state to help our leaders use data and evidence to make Arkansas into an education policy exemplar.”

McGee most recently served as executive vice president of results-driven government at the Laura and John Arnold Foundation where he worked on issues ranging from retirement policy to how the national opioid epidemic is addressed. McGee is a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and is chairman of the Texas Pension Review Board. McGee also serves on the boards of several nonprofits including MDRC, EdBuild and the Equable Institute.

A native Arkansan, McGee received a Doctor of Philosophy in economics and a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering, all from the University of Arkansas.

— Sarah McKenzie, executive director, Office for Education Policy, Department of Education Reform, scmcken@uark.edu