Bryan Cook
About Bryan Cook
Bryan Cook serves as the Director of Higher Education Policy at the Urban Institute, a position he has held since 2021. He has extensive experience in higher education policy, previously working at the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities and the American Council on Education.
Work at Urban Institute
Bryan Cook serves as the Director of Higher Education Policy at the Urban Institute, a position he has held since 2021. In this role, he focuses on developing and analyzing policies that impact higher education. His work involves research and advocacy aimed at improving educational outcomes and access for students across the United States. Cook's expertise in higher education policy contributes to the Urban Institute's mission of informing public policy through data-driven research.
Previous Experience at APLU
Before joining the Urban Institute, Bryan Cook worked at the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) as the Vice President for Data and Policy Analysis from 2018 to 2021. In this capacity, he was responsible for overseeing data initiatives and policy analysis that supported the association's mission to advance public higher education. His leadership in this role helped shape discussions around data use in policy-making.
Career at American Council on Education
Bryan Cook held the position of Director at the Center for Policy Analysis within the American Council on Education from 2003 to 2013. His work involved analyzing educational policies and their implications for higher education institutions. Cook's tenure at the American Council on Education allowed him to engage with a broad range of stakeholders in the education sector.
Education and Expertise
Bryan Cook earned his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Higher Education/Higher Education Administration from the University of Michigan - Rackham Graduate School, where he studied from 1999 to 2003. He also holds a Master's degree in the same field from the same institution, completed from 1997 to 1999. Additionally, he studied at Miami University, which further contributed to his foundation in higher education policy and administration.