We’re pleased to welcome Greg Wolniak, PhD, to DataKind as our Head of Education Initiatives. Greg joins the team with more than two decades of experience advancing equity-focused research in higher education and translating rigorous scholarship into actionable insights for policy and practice. As DataKind continues to build and scale data-driven products that support student success, Greg brings a rare combination of academic depth, applied research leadership, and a deep understanding of how institutions operate and evolve. We’re excited for the perspective and leadership he adds to the team – and the ways his expertise will strengthen DataKind’s work across postsecondary education.
Learn more about Greg below as he shares his professional journey, what led him to DataKind, and how he spends his time beyond work.
What were you up to before DataKind?
Before joining DataKind, I spent the past two decades in higher education, moving from faculty roles teaching and studying the impacts of college on students, to leadership positions focused on turning research into real-world impact. Most recently, I was a principal researcher at Mathematica, where I worked on projects shaping higher education policy and practice. Previously, I served as a tenured professor at the University of Georgia and as founding director of the Center for Research on Higher Education Outcomes and on faculty at New York University. I continue to stay connected to academia through a faculty affiliation at Northwestern University, where I occasionally teach in the higher education program and participate in student workshops as well as other opportunities to engage with the academic community.
Why are you excited to join DataKind?
The opportunity to join DataKind has been a meaningful and natural next step in my career. For years, I’ve focused on equity-driven research, studying how college affects students and publishing work aimed at improving outcomes. What excites me about DataKind is the opportunity to take that commitment and apply it in ways that create tangible change. Through its work in higher education, DataKind develops data-driven tools at scale and makes them accessible to broad-access institutions, ultimately improving student outcomes; this is both inspiring and motivating. I believe these innovations matter because they represent the future of higher education. In an era of resource constraints, growing accountability pressures, and shifting public perceptions, colleges and universities need solutions like these to continue supporting students effectively. And being part of an organization committed to using data science and AI for social good is consistent with my values.
What do you like to do in your free time?
The city of Chicago and surrounding areas has been home for most of my life, and I never tire of exploring all the things it offers, especially its many restaurants, live music venues, and so much more depending on the season. Beyond that, I enjoy opportunities to travel and experience new places and activities.
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