The College of Education and Health Professions' Office for Education Policy announced that the team focused on Arkansas education research has added three experts to its staff: Denise Airola, Hannah Denker and Ashley Daniel.

Airola will serve as the associate director of Office for Education Policy and extend support to policy makers and education leaders in encouraging evidence-based decision-making. Denker will lead OEP's Early Childhood research, leveraging her experience in Virginia. Daniel's 20 years of district-level analysis and research are invaluable as OEP continues to provide research that supports educators in schools throughout the state.

"For over 20 years, OEP has supported education leaders in Arkansas," said Sarah McKenzie, executive director of OEP. "Denise, Hannah and Ashley all have exceptional experience and expertise, which will allow us to create new partnerships and continue to incorporate high quality data into education conversations. All three have a deep understanding of education and can effectively communicate that knowledge to others."

"I'm thrilled to be joining the Office for Education Policy as associate director," Airola said. "This is a unique opportunity to impact Arkansas education from more of a policy lens. My experience with Arkansas education data and my knowledge of other state and national contexts, particularly for assessment and accountability, make this a great fit."

Airola received her Ph.D. in educational statistics and research methods from the U of A and previously led the Office of Innovation for Education. Denker received her Ph.D. in research and evaluation methodology from the University of Colorado Boulder and was previously a postdoctoral research associate in the School of Education and Human Development at the University of Virginia. Daniel received her M.S. in education research and policy studies from the U of A and previously served as the director of data analysis and accountability for Rogers Public Schools.  

For additional information, contact the Office for Education Policy at oep@uark.edu.

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About the Office for Education Policy: Opened in the fall of 2003, the Office for Education Policy is one of several research centers within the College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas; its staff includes faculty members, research associates and graduate students who specialize in education research and policy. OEP serves as a resource to state lawmakers, educators, administrators, and other leaders, providing them with current national, state, and regional research in education to support them in thoughtful decision-making concerning K-12 education in the State of Arkansas.