Laura W. Perna

Laura W. Perna is an American academic who is GSE Centennial Professor of Education, Founding Executive Director of the Alliance for Higher Education and Democracy (Penn AHEAD), and Vice Provost for Faculty at the University of Pennsylvania.

Perna's research employs various methodological approaches to examine how social structures, educational practices, and public policies impact college access and success, particularly for individuals from lower-income families and racial/ethnic minoritized groups. Perna has won the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation Award for Distinguished Teaching, Robert P. Huff Golden Quill Award, Excellence in Public Policy in Higher Education Award, Recognition of Service Award, Distinguished Alumni Award, Exemplary Research Award, and Faculty Alumni Award of Merit. She is a Fellow of the American Educational Research Association and an Elected Member of the National Academy of Education. Provided by Wikipedia