Rachel Christeson, Ph.D.

Dr. Rachel Christeson serves as Director for Research and Data Analysis at NC-SARA, where she provides strategic work on policy research and general data efforts, assisting NC-SARA’s annual data reporting and analysis work. Rachel also supports the collection, analysis, and reporting of qualitative and quantitative data efforts on a wide-range of projects in support of NC-SARA activities. She has extensive experience with data systems development and a strong understanding of database design, implementation, and utilization.

Previously, Rachel was a research associate at the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS), where she helped coordinate data analysis and analytics projects for various state level agencies, the Aspen Institute, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Complete College America, the Lumina Foundation, NC-SARA, and Strada Education Group. She has also served as a Data Analyst with Aurora Public Schools, Director of Institutional Research for the Colorado Community College System, and Assistant Director of Admissions for Data Management at Metropolitan State College of Denver.

Rachel holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Northern Colorado; an M.A. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Denver, and a B.S. in Information Technology from Rochester Institute of Technology. Her areas of expertise include qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, program evaluation, college and career readiness policies, community colleges, and P-20 pipeline issues.