Areas of expertise: Postsecondary access and success policies, Holistic supportive services (including child care), Student parents and adult learners, Non-degree credential quality and data
Lindsey Reichlin Cruse is a Senior Fellow at National Skills Coalition where she leads the organization’s work on postsecondary education policy, particularly for adults with low incomes, and access to public benefits, childcare, and holistic supports for postsecondary students.
For nearly a decade, Lindsey has worked to build more inclusive and equitable pathways to postsecondary education and economic security for marginalized communities, with special attention to students with children. Her research has spanned college affordability, access, and success; holistic student supportive services, such as childcare and non-tuition assistance; and cross-system alignment to support students and families. Lindsey has authored numerous publications sharing findings from original research and their implications for state, federal, and institutional policy and practice. She is regularly sought after to share her expertise and has been quoted in several national outlets including The Washington Post, The Atlantic, NPR, and PBS Newshour.
Prior to joining National Skills Coalition in January 2022, Lindsey spent over eight years at the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR). Most recently, she served as Managing Director, Student Parent Success Initiative, for which she led IWPR’s research on strategies to increase postsecondary attainment and economic security for families with low incomes, with a focus on families headed by single mothers and mothers of color.
Lindsey has a master’s degree from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles. She is based in the Washington, DC area.
