WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Institute for Women’s Policy Research announced today that Lindsey Reichlin Cruse, a sought-after leader on postsecondary success and opportunities for student parents, is being promoted to Managing Director. In her new role, she will lead a dynamic team of researchers and policy experts committed to creating college pathways for parents and helping to ensure college completion.

Since joining IWPR more than seven years ago, Lindsey has worked with both national and local organizations to define the field, provide data and research to identify need and target efforts, and think strategically about public policies and programs at the federal and state levels.

Under her leadership, the Student Parent Success Initiative at IWPR has grown exponentially and has become as trusted partner of many philanthropic institutions including the Kresge Foundation, Imaginable Futures, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, and ECMC Foundation.

“Our work around student parent success has taken on added significance during the pandemic,” said Reichlin Cruse, “I am honored and humbled to step into this new role. Promoting opportunities for parents with low incomes to earn college degrees can improve their family’s economic mobility, set their children up for future success, and help facilitate an equitable recovery from the pandemic.”

“When you think about the advancement of the postsecondary success of student parents, you immediately think of Lindsey, her research, and her leadership. As a partner of IWPR, we at Imaginable Futures know that we cannot be in support of student parents without IWPR and Lindsey’s leadership,” said Vinice Davis, Venture Partner at Imaginable Futures.

Nicole Lynn Lewis, Founder of CEO of Generation Hope said, “Lindsey is a tireless advocate for student parents and women. Her work has been vital to uncovering data to inform needed policies for populations that are often uncounted and ignored. She is definite asset to IWPR and to the field.”

“Lindsey Reichlin Cruse is a leader and an expert in the field,” said Meredith Archer Hatch of Achieving the Dream. “Her research and policy analysis on student parents and their success in college creates an evidence base that is foundational to the student parent success movement. Achieving the Dream is grateful for her participation in and contributions to the Community College Women Succeed Advisory Group.”