Jenny is a senior research scientist specializing in educator workforce development, with expertise in teacher recruitment, retention, preparation, and career pathways. A skilled qualitative and mixed-methods researcher, she designs and leads studies that help organizations, policymakers, and practitioners better understand the conditions that shape the educator workforce. Drawing on experience across research, philanthropy, higher education, and K-12 education, Jenny brings a collaborative and pragmatic approach to her work with clients and stakeholders.

Jenny is nationally recognized for her work in rural education. Her research examines how schools, communities, and policy environments interact to influence educational opportunity in rural and underserved communities. As principal investigator of the Evaluation of ECMC Foundation’s Rural Impact Initiative, she directs a five-year evaluation of a $25 million national effort designed to improve postsecondary access and success for rural learners. She also serves as co-principal investigator on studies examining the current and future rural educator workforce in Wisconsin and the role of state-supported strategies for addressing teacher shortages, generating actionable insights on teacher preparation, recruitment, and retention in rural communities. In addition, Jenny is principal investigator for an National Science Foundation-funded study of rural science and mathematics teacher retention in Illinois, which combines statewide survey research with in-depth qualitative case studies to identify promising practices for building and sustaining a high-quality educator workforce in high-need rural districts.

Before joining NORC, Jenny served as an associate program officer at the Spencer Foundation and assistant director at the Rural Education Research and Implementation Center at the University of Wisconsin. She also held a postdoctoral research position in the School of Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University. Prior to her research career, she taught high school Spanish, an experience that continues to inform her commitment to supporting educators and expanding opportunities for students and communities.