Richard Davis Jr. is a policy analyst on the higher education team within New America's Education Policy Program, where he focuses on advancing equity in higher education, particularly for students from historically marginalized backgrounds. He collaborates with the team on projects aimed at ensuring the effective use of federal, state, and institutional resources and policies to achieve this goal. Richard’s current projects include exploring how federal policy can support parenting students in college and improving on-campus childcare provision at community colleges.
Before joining New America, Richard managed the policy and research portfolio at Higher Learning Advocates, a bipartisan advocacy group dedicated to centering the needs of today's students in federal policymaking. He also served as a State Policy Fellow at Invest in Louisiana, where he analyzed state fiscal policy decisions related to K-12 and higher education using a racial equity lens, with a focus on their impact on students with low incomes.
A proud educator and product of the Bayou State, Richard holds a master's degree in public administration from Louisiana State University and a bachelor's degree in middle school education from Southeastern Louisiana University. He is deeply committed to ensuring that all students have access to the quality education and resources needed to succeed, driven by his personal mission to create a more equitable and affordable postsecondary education system.