IHEP Welcomes Erin Dunlop Velez as Vice President of Research

Washington, DC (July 30, 2025) —  The Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) recently welcomed Erin Dunlop Velez as its new Vice President of Research. A widely respected researcher and leader, Velez brings more than a decade of experience managing large-scale education research projects, quantitative data collections, and teams of scholars. She will lead IHEP’s research directors and analysts while stewarding a research portfolio aimed at identifying strategies that work to improve college access, completion, and value for all students.    

“Erin’s remarkable commitment to management, mentorship, and team development and her passion for equity make her an exceptional addition to IHEP’s community,” said Mamie Voight, IHEP President & CEO. “Her leadership and expertise will enhance our strong track record of producing rigorous, policy-relevant research and propel our work forward.”  

Velez’s extensive research portfolio includes deep analysis of college access, financial aid policy implications for students, and the labor market returns students receive from their credentials.  

Before joining IHEP, Velez served as Director of Education Research at RTI International. There, she led projects and teams contracted by the Institute of Education Sciences to administer flagship federal research studies including the Digest of Education Statistics, the Condition of Education, and the Baccalaureate and Beyond Longitudinal Study. Earlier in her career at the American Institutes for Research, she conducted original research and policy evaluation analysis focused on K-12 and postsecondary education. 

Velez steps into a newly defined role at IHEP focused squarely on leading and coordinating research efforts. 

“I am honored to join Team IHEP at such an important time for education in our country,” said Velez. “Postsecondary education is a crucial gateway to social mobility and a mechanism to reduce inequities, and IHEP’s mission to create systemic change in higher education aligns deeply with my values. I look forward to working with this talented team to produce research that informs policy and centers student needs.” 

Velez earned a B.A. in economics from William & Mary, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in economics from the University of Virginia.  

Diane Cheng, who previously served as IHEP’s Vice President of Research and Policy, will now serve as its Vice President of Policy. In this new role, Cheng will lead the newly formed IHEP Policy Team that will conduct policy analysis and development aimed at advancing the organization’s policy priorities: data and transparency, strong outcomes for all students, evidence-based completion, need-based aid, and equitable admissions.  

“Diane’s leadership of IHEP’s research efforts to date has been remarkable,” Voight said. “As Vice President of Policy, she will deepen our capacity to make thoughtful linkages between our research-based insights and actionable policy solutions that help more students succeed in college and beyond.”  

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