Katherine M. Bowser

I am an Education PhD Candidate at George Mason University with a specialization in Education Policy and a secondary emphasis in Econometrics and Quasi-Experimental Methodology. 

My goal is to provide high-quality and accessible research that helps state and local leaders make data-driven decisions that best serve their students, educators, and communities. I am trained and have experience in numerous methodologies, including quantitative, qualitative, and machine learning techniques. However, I specifically have strong skills and interest in using rigorous quasi-experimental regression techniques to evaluate the impact of policies on student and teacher outcomes. 

My dissertation examines the implications of adopting a four-day school week (4DSW), which is a growing trend primarily (but not exclusively) in small, rural districts. I employ staggered treatment timing event study analyses to examine the quasi-experimental relationship between the 4DSW adoption and 1) teacher, 2) principal, and 3) paraprofessional staff turnover and district finance outcomes. I am completing my dissertation under the advisement of Seth B. Hunter, PhD (chair, George Mason University), Matthew A. Kraft, PhD (Brown University), and Samantha Viano, PhD (George Mason University). I thank them immensely for their insights and support. 

In another strand of research, I study teacher and principal effectiveness. I use rigorous quasi-experimental methods to examine the implementation and effects of reformed teacher evaluation systems. Further, I work with a trans-disciplinary team within a research-practitioner partnership conducting cutting-edge mixed methods research using large language models, qualitative analysis, and econometrics to better understand principal performance. 

I have over five years of experience working for an education technology company that partners with reputable colleges and universities seeking to expand and scale their online degree programs. In my role,  I successfully hired, trained, and led a team of nine, managed external partner relationships, and drove process development to efficiently meet key performance indicators. I also have six years of experience as a student affairs professional who supported and managed civic engagement programs and community-based internships for college students. 

My academic CV can be found here and my professional resume can be found here.